Services

We are often asked what services we provide and because we work closely with a number of other community and social services, it can seem that we provide a diverse range of services. In fact we are a community organisation focused on delivering top quality, free budgeting advice to family/whanau and individuals in a responsive way.

Practically, we provide:

One Off/Crisis Advice – Immediate assistance if you are in financial crisis or if you just need advice about your income or spending.

Ongoing Advice – Developing your money management skills together with ongoing support and advice.

Community Education – Sessions that develop money management and financial literacy skills in the community.

What is expected of our clients?

A commitment to working through the issues, honestly, cooperatively and in partnership with our organisation, and our staff.

What to bring to your Budgeting appointment?

A support person if desired
Your latest bank statements
A list of your debts and all outgoings
Up to date statements from your creditors/debtors
Income statement from your employer or Work & Income NZ (WINZ)
A willingness to make changes to the way you manage your finances.

How long will it take?

One hour is allotted but another appointment can be made for more ongoing work.

How to make an appointment?

Call us on 04 237 4267 or email us: info@poriruabudget.org.nz, or go to the contact us page

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

One Off / Crisis Advice

This type of advice aims to give immediate assistance if you are in financial crisis or if you just need some advice about your income or spending. The contact time is shorter. You may just require an adviser to take a look at your situation and provide advice on your income and spending patterns, or you may just need one creditor contacted to sort out an immediate debt crises. There is usually no follow-up, in-depth support or education. You would not ordinarily sign the Budgeting Agreement and contact with creditors is limited. A draft budget might be prepared but a cash flow is not likely to be developed.

Ongoing Advice

Ongoing budget advice aims to develop your money management skills together with ongoing support and advice. It is the most usual form of budget advice given by Federation services. The budget service will work with you on a regular basis depending on your needs and will provide you with in-depth support and advice. You will sign a Budgeting Agreement with the service, which will allow your adviser to contact creditors on your behalf and negotiate new repayment terms. You will be fully involved in, and in control of, decisions concerning your income and spending. You are supported by your adviser as long as your require with the ultimate goal of taking over your own budget plan as your financial management skills grow.

Community Education

This type of advice aims to develop money management and financial literacy skills in the community by providing education programmes to community groups and organisations.

It is available to community groups, individuals (eg. employees), and private and public organisations.

The duration and cost of the programme delivered is arranged between the Service and the group requiring education.