Purposeful payments – Kiwi wellbeing in the new normal

Consumer financial wellbeing emerged as a key concern during COVID-19, and the expectations of Kiwis when it comes to who will fulfil this role and to what extent has also shifted. With consumer habits evolving and payments becoming increasingly electronic, governments worldwide are now focusing on creating more inclusive and equitable financial systems. In this session we’ll look at the role technology innovation has to play when it comes to driving wellbeing initiatives and connecting communities.

We know that New Zealand is a diverse society with many different communities, each presenting their own unique set of needs and challenges. What can the industry do to support these communities in a meaningful way?  Where does the industry fit in when we talk about solving these issues, and how can we contribute towards ensuring Kiwis financial wellbeing?

Craig Hudson, from Xero, will be the first speaker in this final session of the series. Craig will highlight some of the key stressors impacting small businesses in the wake of COVID-19. He’ll explore the role technological innovations can play in alleviating some of this stress and how leading with empathy in our workplaces and communities is now more important than ever. Craig will also share some wellbeing tools and resources.

We’ll then have Julia Jackson from Kiwibank, and Natalie Vincent from the Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust join us together to talk about the trust, which is New Zealand’s first formal microfinance initiative that is providing small, safe and fair loans to households nationwide. Kiwibank has supported this initiative since it began in 2012 by providing the capital used for microloans as well as essential business support and advice. They’ll tell us more about how this initiative works and how it’s helping Kiwis to reduce financial stress and build a better future for themselves and their families.

See the full programme and register for the event here.