As costs rise, Kāpiti Budget Services is there to help ease some of the pressure.
By Leanne Warr, Kāpiti News
As the cost of living continues to impact people’s budgets across Kāpiti and Horowhenua, a local budget service is lending support.
Heather Kinsey, coordinator across Horowhenua and Kāpiti Budget Services, says it’s a big concern.
The service in Levin has been in existence for more than 20 years but two years ago, when the Ministry of Social Development was looking to re-tender for budgeting, the service was successful in securing the contract for both the Horowhenua and Kāpiti districts.
“So we’re the only accredited budget service between Foxton and Paekākāriki.”
The Kāpiti service is now at the Kāpiti Impact Hub in Tongariro Street.
Being accredited means they have to have level three social services accreditation, giving them the ability to deal with vulnerable people.
Heather says becoming a financial mentor requires vigorous training, and she has six fully trained financial mentors, including herself.
With costs continuing to rise, it’s becoming a big problem.
“We’re seeing more and more people who are desperate,” Heather says.
“And we’re seeing more and more people who are having to choose between eating and heating.”
Last week’s Kāpiti News highlighted the plight of one Waikanae resident who has chronic health conditions, and is concerned about heating amidst rising power prices.
Heather says since Covid, people have had to learn to cope on their own and it’s now a case of “you’ve got to look after yourself”.
“Sadly, I think that’s carried over into people’s finances.”
She says that means people are coming to the budget service later, trying hard to solve their own financial problems.
She cites two cases where clients had been unemployed for some time and did not realise they were entitled to help from Work and Income, having spent their savings.
“So you imagine when they came to us, they’re in an absolute mess.”
A big issue is that the service is also seeing what Heather calls the “working poor”.
She says that’s been a huge increase over the past 12 months.
“Wages aren’t keeping up with inflation.”
Some of the food staples, such as cheese and butter, are becoming too expensive and schools are asking for more than parents can afford.
Heather says they are trying to get to people sooner rather than later and wants people to know that there is help available.
She says that while there are leaflets on the service in the libraries and council offices as well as information posters up, people are still unaware of the existence of the service.
“We have access to resources that can help.”
Such as Toast Electric, which will do a healthy home check and put people in touch with other organisations that can provide solutions.
Heather says the budget service also has deals with local foodbanks where people can get food parcels.
She also works with low-interest lenders for debt consolidation or when someone needs funds for an emergency.
Heather stresses that they work alongside people, but don’t tell them what to do, and they don’t look after people’s money.
She says that sometimes clients look ashamed when they come in, but the financial mentors help them build on their strengths.
Mentors also provide advocacy, helping their clients deal with banks, creditors and the like and take complaints to the right authority.
Heather adds that they are prepared to work with whatever the client’s needs are, even if that means meeting by zoom or on the phone.
“The thing we want to get over is, you’re not alone.
“Our kaupapa as the budget service is to do ourselves out of business.”
Heather emphasises that they want everyone in New Zealand to be able to handle their money themselves, but they know it’s not easy for someone to admit when they are having difficulties.
She says it can take time for someone to make contact.
“It’s just getting past that barrier.
“And that’s why we do phone consultations.”
The budget service also does group sessions called Money Mates, which is a weekly session covering a range of topics around achieving goals and savings.
In a time when the cost of living is causing pressure on families, Heather and the team can offer some help.
“Bring your burdens in, leave them with us and you go out and deal with other things.”
