Rangahau Āheinga Ahumoni Financial Capability Research
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.
New insights into how people think about money
To understand how different New Zealanders think about money, a needs-based segmentation using data from the TAAO 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.
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.
Findings from July-September 2021
A 'deep dive’ to analyse the current situation for Māori is part of the report, revealing lower financial inclusion compared to non-Māori and deepening financial strain as Māori age. Across all age groups, Māori focus less on planning for retirement and more on debt management (compared to non-Māori), although Māori are more proactive than average seeking advice in older age.
Findings from January-April 2022
The ‘deep dive’ explores the impact of the early stages of the volatile economic climate on financial wellbeing and shows a mixed-bag of increasing perceptions of ‘treading water’ for some, continued optimism for others, and a decline in people saving for retirement.
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
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.