StandingTallNZ.org
2 min read
Financial capability, step by step
Click on the note to learn more
This information is for general learning only and is not personal financial advice, please seek guidance from a qualified adviser before making financial decisions.
Why Talk About Money
Health and wealth are woven together. When our finances are under pressure, it can affect our hinengaro (mind), wairua (spirit), and tinana (body). Likewise, when our health is struggling, it can be harder to work, earn, and manage money. Strengthening our pūtea (money) by clearing debt, building savings, and protecting what matters, supports not just our bank balance, but our overall hauora.
In kaupapa Māori, wealth is not only about money, but also about strong whānau connections, community wellbeing, and looking after resources for those who come after us. When we nurture both health and wealth, we create balance, mana, and opportunity for the generations ahead.
By starting the kōrero, we can shift from silence and stress to clear plans and positive action. Along the way, we can reduce mental distress, ease harmful thoughts, and for some people lower the risk of self-harm, violence, and addictions, while growing our overall sense of wellness and stability. For support services click here.
Small Steps, Big Change
Small steps, equals big change over time. Five dollars here, ten there, a few smart choices on repeat, that’s how you move from stress to stability, and from stability to surplus. This means:
-
Paying down expensive debt first
-
Turning on KiwiSaver to grab employer and government contributions
-
Building a simple emergency fund
-
Protecting what matters
-
Growing wealth on purpose
No slang. No shame. Just clear, practicle steps you can start this week.
Values That Guide Us
Were going to learn and lean on values as much as numbers. Values such as manaakitanga (care), whanaungatanga (connection), and kaitiakitanga (looking after what we have for those who come after us). Your money story is part of your whānau story, and tiny changes today can ripple out for years.
Climbing Out of Debt
Like Sir Edmund Hillary on the $5 note, tackling debt is about taking the first step toward your own summit, one steady climb at a time.
Click on the note to learn more
Getting out of debt starts with small, steady steps. Pay off high-interest debts first, like payday loans or credit cards. Microloans from trusted community providers can offer a safer, low-interest alternative to replace harmful debt and give you breathing space.
Consolidating debt, creating a realistic budget, and avoiding new borrowing until you’re in control are key strategies. Alongside this, it’s important to know your rights and where to get help. Organisations like Money Talks connect people to free, confidential financial mentors, while Sorted offers resources, tools and support information to plan repayments and track progress. Every dollar freed from debt is a step towards stability and future opportunities.
Here is a podcast of our crew talking about debts.
Your Money, Your Voice
Kate Sheppard proved that small voices, united, can change a nation — imagine what they could do to change your finances
Click on the note to learn more
Just as Kate Sheppard and her movement used knowledge, confidence, and collective action to create lasting change for women’s rights, we can use those same tools to transform our financial futures.
Building financial literacy and capability isn’t just about knowing how to budget or save it’s about understanding the financial systems we’re part of, recognising our power to make informed choices, and joining together to push for fairness in those systems.
For our whānau, that could mean learning about financial literacy terms, and sharing that knowledge so everyone can stand on strong financial ground. When we learn, and act together, we not only improve our own financial wellbeing, we create ripple effects of empowerment and resilience that can last for generations.
Reigning in Your Finances
Click on the note to learn more
Just as the $20 note features Queen Elizabeth II alongside the houses of Parliament which are symbols of leadership, order, and governance, budgets and savings are about ruling your own financial kingdom.
A good budget and plan acts like a set of fair laws: it gives every dollar a job, keeps spending in check, and ensures resources are allocated where they matter most. Savings are your royal treasury, protecting you in times of need and funding future goals.
Whether it’s putting aside a little each week, tracking your spending, or setting clear priorities, taking charge of your money brings stability and confidence. When you govern your finances well, you’re not just surviving, you’re building a legacy or yourself and your whānau.
Building and Protecting Your Legacy
Click on the note to learn more
The $50 note, featuring Sir Apirana Ngata and the Porourangi wharenui, reminds us of vision, leadership, and creating something that lasts for generations. Investments are about planting seeds now so they can grow into opportunities and security for the future.
Insurance is about protecting what you have worked for, making sure your whānau and assets are safeguarded from life’s unexpected events. Together, investment and insurance are like the poutama tukutuku pattern featured on the note, each step building on the last, creating strength, stability, and progress.
By being intentional with where you put your money and how you protect it, you ensure your financial journey is not just about today, but about leaving a lasting legacy for those who follow.
Safeguard What Matters Most
Click on the note to learn more
The $100 note, featuring Ernest Lord Rutherford, symbolises precision, foresight, and shaping the future. Just as Rutherford transformed our understanding of science, taking control of your financial legacy starts with planning ahead.
Wills and testaments ensure your assets and wishes are honoured, protecting your whānau from uncertainty. Similarly fraud protection safeguards the wealth, identity, and hard work you have built over a lifetime.
Together, these steps are about more than money, they are about protecting your story, your mana, and the future security of those you care for. In a world where both opportunities and risks evolve, planning well today ensures your legacy remains intact for generations.