People equipped with financial knowledge and skills

Vaka Tautua is continuing to equip people with financial knowledge and skills, with a number of "class" graduations at Emerge Aotearoa Manurewa this week. Vaka Tautua delivers financial capability training on-site for emergency housing clients.

Financial Capability Coordinator, Tevita Faleafa, said all of the graduates who had completed the eight-week programme had shared how the programme has changed the way they think about money and their finances. Many are now using budgeting plans and saving money.

Financial Capability Advisor, Neli Alo, believes a key strength of the programme is that everyone can learn something. For some, it is about refining the tools they already have so they can start saving. For others, it is about finding that self-belief and confidence to make the changes that are needed.

“It doesn’t matter whether you have a lot of money or a small amount of money. It all depends on the way you manage your money,” said Neli.

Financial Capability Coordinator, Tevita Faleafa, with graduates.