Latest research
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission's ongoing research and evaluation projects give us a deeper understanding of the level of financial capability in New Zealand, and how it compares to that of people around the world.
Our research is shared with the financial capability community through the National Strategy, enabling us to work across government and with other organisations to help enhance New Zealanders' financial capability.
Researchers identify five new money personalities
As the evidence base for Sorted’s new money personality quiz, Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission partnered with Auckland University of Technology’s Dr Ayesha Scott and Professor Aaron Gilbert to identify money personalities in the New Zealand context. The pair analysed survey responses from 500 New Zealand adults using latent class analysis. Survey questions measured confidence and self-perception, risk preferences, psychological factors (i.e., materialism, impulsivity, extraversion, present orientation, neuroticism, and money-based emotions), money values and goal setting.
Insights into how people think about money
To understand how different New Zealanders think about money, a needs-based segmentation using data from the Te Ara Ahunga Ora Insights Tracker was developed. Using a sample of n=2,500, six distinct types of New Zealanders were revealed. While segmenting New Zealanders in respect to financial views has been done before, the inclusion of people older than 65 and an increased emphasis on ethnic differences means the results provide a more inclusive perspective. The results have implications for policy, financial services and education providers.
Consumer insights to support Sorted Money Week 2022
To support the annual Sorted Money Week campaign we surveyed more than 1000 New Zealanders about their current financial situation and attitudes to money. We asked them how they are coping with the rising cost of living, what they are doing to stay on top of their finances and have identified trends in financial situations, optimism, saving for retirement and experiences of financial hardship.
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Insights Tracker
Valuable insights on New Zealanders' financial confidence and access to financial advice is regularly gathered through surveying by TRA on behalf of Te Ara Ahunga Ora. Surveys are conducted with around 1000 people a quarter.
Sorted User Report
Every year we survey people who visit or use the Sorted.org website. This report looks at what people value about the website, and what they’d like to change.
Making Sorted Better for Māori
Elevating financial capability for rangitahi can contribute to improved financial outcomes for Māori. Te Ara Ahunga Ora commissioned TRA to conduct qualitative research to understand how money fits into the lives of rangitahi aged 18-30, and explore whether Sorted.org was an appropriate vehicle to provide financial literacy information and tools.
New Zealand Financial Capability Survey 2021
July 2021
The latest financial capability study by Te Ara Ahunga Ora highlights the importance and power of Kiwis increasing their financial knowledge to achieve financial wellbeing. The study is a deep dive into 21 components of financial capability and looks closely at the behaviours, knowledge, and attitudes of over 3,000 New Zealanders, with a focus on Māori, Pacific, and female communities. Findings from the study will be used to inform New Zealand’s National Strategy for Financial Capability and will feed into several projects that aim to help Kiwis to manage money well.
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New Zealand Financial Capability Survey Report
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New Zealand Financial Capability Survey Technical Report
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New Zealand Financial Capability - Focus on Māori
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New Zealand Financial Capability - Focus on Women
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New Zealand Financial Capability - Focus on Pacific Peoples
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New Zealand Financial Capability KiwiSaver non-contributors
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New Zealand Financial Capability - Focus on those with disabilities or long-term health conditions
Triggering financial behaviour change - April 2021
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commissions's financial capability facilitators are at the coalface of helping New Zealanders change their behaviour with money, delivering a range of seminars and workshops in workplaces and the community under the Sorted brand. Our Research Lead, Dr Celestyna Galicki, interviewed a number of them, along with Te Ara Ahunga Ora staff, to gain their insights on how behaviour change happens and what triggers it. The result is this detailed guide on best practice in the delivery of financial capability workshops.
Financial Knowledge of New Zealanders
Recognising the importance of measuring financial knowledge as a building block of financial capability, Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission introduced financial knowledge questions from the OECD/INFE adult financial knowledge toolkit to its ongoing Financial Capability Barometer survey for the period January to June 2020. The questions, answered by 3132 survey participants, measured the understanding of basic financial concepts such as interest, inflation and risk diversification. Our report analyses New Zealand’s results by age, gender, ethnicity, education, employment status and personal income to identify areas of need and opportunity when targeting delivery of financial education.
Effect of financial stress on personal relationships
To support Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission drew data from its Financial Capability Barometer Survey showing that 1 in 5 New Zealanders reported negative effects on their personal relationships from financial stress. Some groups suffered more than others, and the results also showed conflict of this nature correlated with a lack of long-term financial planning, a propensity to spend rather than save, and reluctance to discuss money.
Sorted Money Week 2020 – question analysis
In response to Sorted’s 2020 Money Week theme of “Just wondering”, nearly 1000 questions were sent in from the public. Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission’s Research Lead Dr Celestyna Galicki analysed the main themes and topics that emerged, providing an indication of the areas in which New Zealanders need the most help financially.
Financial Capability Barometer Report 2018-2019
More than 15,500 New Zealanders contributed to Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission’s Financial Capability Barometer during two years of rolling surveys through 2018 and 2019. This compilation and analysis is a remarkable insight into New Zealanders’ beliefs and behaviour around money, many of which have been reinforced due to the effects of COVID-19.