What we do
The Fin-Ed Centre is globally unique for the breadth of its work covering education, research and consultancy. It is New Zealand’s leading research centre on the financial capability and wellbeing of New Zealanders and an Affiliate Member of the OECD International Network of Financial Education – the only member from a New Zealand education institution.
Established in 2011, the Fin-Ed Centre is a joint initiative between the Westpac New Zealand bank and Massey University. The centre is recognised internationally for its work in financial education and research.
Our expertise
- Financial capability research, evaluation and consultancy.
- Delivering culturally responsive training, professional development and resources.
- Advocacy and financial literacy and management.
Our vision – tā mātou whakakitenga
New Zealanders are financially empowered to achieve a better quality of life.
Our mission – tā mātou kaupapa mātāmua
To help New Zealanders become more financially astute by improving their knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards money.
Research projects
We are constantly working on research that is relevant for businesses and individuals looking to increase their financial capability.
This includes research into housing decisions, saving for retirement and giving our children (better) financial literacy skills. Our research is publicly available.
Financial education in schools: a Kiwi solution
A comparative study:
- International comparison of what is happening in other developed economies.
- What will work at the primary level?
- Barriers and solutions.
Research lead: Associate Professor Jodie Hunter, David Kneebone and Fin-Ed Centre research associates.
Cultural pressures faced by young people when managing money
Quantitative and qualitative research – this project explores the cultural pressures faced by young people when managing money and the role culture plays on their financial behaviour.
Research lead: Dr Pushpa Wood and Fin-Ed Centre research associates.
KiwiSaver and retireent preparedness
Qualitative research – interviews and focus groups.
The goal of this project is to answer:
- What is happening in New Zealand and developed economies to address the gender imbalance in retirement planning and investment?
- Are ethnic women really prepared for their retirement?
Research lead: Professor Martin Young, Associate Professor Claire Matthews, Professor David Tripe and Dr Pushpa Wood.
Has COVID-19 changed financial behaviour?
Qualitative research:
- How has COVID-19 changed financial behaviour of people and financial institutions?
Research lead: Professor David Tripe and a Fin-Ed Centre research associate.
Financial education courses and micro-credentials
We run tailor-made and bespoke courses for individuals, groups and organisations.
As well as financial management courses, we also train those who wish to teach personal financial management.
Our courses are affordable and practical. Many are available through distance and online learning, so you can learn when and where it suits you.
Complaint Response and Management
This micro-credential course builds the technical and soft skills required to improve customer outcomes in complaint response and management in the financial services sector.
Money Smarts @ Work
Reach your goals in life with this quick and easy short course about managing your money, offered with industry groups. Understand budgeting and saving, and learn how to manage debt and protect what matters to you.
Financial Capability Practitioners Course
Gain the tools, knowledge and confidence to educate your communities in personal financial management, enhance their financial capability and make a difference to their financial wellbeing with this micro-credential.
This micro-credential will develop your confidence and give you the tools and knowledge to comply effectively with the AML/CFT Act within the scope of your own business.
Our people
Our team has international experience in academic research and a reputation for promoting research that has a community and stakeholder impact.
Dr Pushpa Wood (ONZM)
Dr Wood has worked across the education and industry sectors to improve financial and adult literacy. She has extensive experience developing teaching and learning resources, training and development and stakeholder relationship. Her research interests include identifying trigger points that motivate people to change their financial behaviour and testing culturally appropriate evaluation tools.
Professor Martin Berka
Martin is a Professor of Macroeconomics and a director of the New Zealand Centre for Macroeconomics. He is also a Fellow of the Asian Bureau for Financial and Economic Research. Martin's primary research interests lie in international finance, open economy macroeconomics, and monetary economics.
Associate Professor Claire Matthews
Claire's research interests centre around retail banking, the provision of financial advice, and financial literacy, with a particular focus on consumers’ financial choices, KiwiSaver, switching costs, internet banking, payment systems, and the role of the branch.
She is a member of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc and the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
Dr Jeffrey Stangl
Jeff’s career traverses business and academia. During his business career, his focus was innovative start-up companies, international business and investment. His research encompasses the interface between academia and the finance sector – building financial capability and improving investor education. He's a founding Board Member of the Financial Education Research Centre.
Professor David Tripe
David is a specialist in the area of Banking, with some interest in the related fields of property (and its role in banking), economics (with a particular focus on monetary policy) and areas of finance such as corporate governance.
Before joining Massey in 1994, David worked for 17 years in the banking sector in New Zealand, and he continues his interest in developments in the banking sector.
Professor Martin Young
Professor Martin Young has a long association with Massey University and has also held senior positions in the financial industry in New Zealand. He is Chair of the Asian Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee and serves on the editorial boards of several journals. His research interests are market efficiency, financial regulation, funds management, optimization and bond and derivatives pricing.
Consultancy
Our expertise is available on a consultancy basis to help with your financial literacy needs. Contact us to find out how we can help.
Two examples of our work are evaluation of literacy pilot project and focus groups in New Zealand and providing a financial literacy campaign in Timor Leste.
Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income
The Fin-Ed Centre has been working with the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income to evaluate two financial literacy pilot projects. The centre has also been involved in running focus groups for the Commission to inform their wider research project, Improving Women’s Future Retirement prospects.
Fin-Ed has also provided comments and feedback to various media outlets on topics related to personal financial management. Other projects in this area include reviewing teaching and learning material developed by other organisations.
Financial literacy in Timor Leste
The Fin-Ed Centre has signed a contract with Banco Central de Timor Leste to advise and assist on a financial literacy awareness campaign. The centre will also plan and design modules for 'Training of Trainer' and delivery of training to selected staff.
Publications
Retirement Expenditure Guidelines
We are working with Workplace Savings NZ on New Zealand’s first Retirement Expenditure Guidelines to help prepare New Zealanders for the cost of living in retirement.
Download a copy of the guidelines.
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines – 2022 (PDF, 979KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2021 (PDF, 760KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2020 (PDF, 768KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2019 (PDF, 2.5MB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2018 (PDF, 2.3MB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2017 (PDF, 2.5MB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2016 (PDF, 1.4MB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2015 (PDF, 187KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2014 (PDF, 460KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2013 (PDF, 365KB)
New Zealand Retirement Expenditure Guidelines - 2012 (PDF, 365)
Financial literacy longitudinal study
Some 300 New Zealanders aged 18 to 20 are taking part in a baseline survey of their financial literacy and experience of financial education. Starting in 2012, the same participants get surveyed every five years for 20 years to understand their needs for financial knowledge at different life stages.
Download a copy of the latest update.
Longitudinal Study Update – February 2021 (PDF, 541KB)
Longitudinal Study Update – February 2020 (PDF, 1.2MB)
Longitudinal Study Update – January 2019 (PDF, 3.1MB)
Longitudinal Study Update – March 2018 (PDF, 861 KB)
Longitudinal Study Update – September 2016 (PDF, 365KB)
Longitudinal Study Election Update – 2014 (PDF, 361KB)
Longitudinal Study – December 2013 (PDF, 817KB)
Longitudinal Study – Ngāi Tahu sub-cohort – September 2013 (PDF, 921KB)
Business research news
Higher frequency bullying remains significant in workforce
Over 90 per cent of the workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand has reported experiencing intermittent bullying in the past year, according to research led by Professor Jarrod Haar, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Mahuta.
Belonging and gender equity in Aotearoa New Zealand community football organisations
After working in football marketing and communications roles for six years, Dr Alida Shanks noticed that there was a lack of action on inequity in sports organisations.
Medical doctors most at risk of burnout in New Zealand’s workforce
New research has revealed the risk of burnout is almost doubled for medical doctors in Aotearoa New Zealand when compared to other workforce groups.
Research reveals alarming rate of perceived workplace discrimination
Less than 10 per cent of Māori and Pacific employees have reported experiencing no discrimination in the workplace, according to new research.
Contact us
Fin-Ed Centre
- fin-ed@massey.ac.nz
- Location
Postal address
Financial Education and Research Centre
Massey University
PO Box 756
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
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