“Sharing my story is not easy but I want others to know there’s hope. I want to raise awareness of the issue and encourage businesses and organisations to develop appropriate responses for their customers.” — Rina*, homeowner and survivor of economic abuse.

Economic abuse is a common form and feature of family violence. It can happen through restricting someone’s access to money or financial accounts, taking someone’s money without consent, or accumulating debt under their name. The harm caused by economic abuse can be worsened when people affected face further challenges dealing with lenders like banks and finance companies. 

At Parliament we heard from leaders working to address economic abuse and the conditions that allow it to happen. 

Kellie Coombes, Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of Manatū Wāhine | Ministry for Women, shed light on the prevalence of gender-based violence and economic abuse in New Zealand. 

Emma Powell, Chief Executive of Te Puna Aonui, explained the deep connections between money and family violence, noting that money can be a reason people don’t leave an abusive relationship.

Jane Wrightson, Retirement Commissioner​, highlighted the affect economic abuse can have on women’s ability to save for retirement, and shared a national strategy to improve financial wellbeing and resilience. 

Hon. Nicola Grigg, Minister for Women, underscored the need to address gender inequities that shape family violence, noting the recent launch of the Gender Pay Gap Toolkit that supports businesses to identify and address pay gaps.  

Lyn McMorran, Chief Executive of the Financial Services Federation, and Emma Saunders, Chief Executive of Good Shepherd New Zealand, introduced industry codes of practice being co-designed to help financial service providers improve their capability to understand economic abuse and support customers experiencing it. 

The breadth of strategies and solutions working to prevent and address economic abuse is impressive. Good things always come when we share perspectives and strengthen our collective response. One speaker made a particular impression in the hearts and minds of attendees — Rina, who shared her experience of economic abuse and the challenges she faces as she heals and regains independence. 

Rina talked about noticing changes in her husband’s behaviour after 20 years of marriage.

“Collection agencies started calling about debts I knew nothing about. They told me to stop playing games and for me to take ownership. Letter after letter, calls every day, scare tactics, lenders turning up to my house. This started to take a toll on my health.”

“Credit cards with major banks and lending I had never applied for appeared on my credit profile. These debts were obtained online without my knowledge or my consent.”

Rina helped a room full of people working in finance, regulation and government better understand what it’s like to struggle with unwieldy systems and layers of process alongside the effects of family violence. 

The empowerment, strength and satisfaction Rina has gained through resetting her credit rating, accessing a home loan and becoming financially independent shows the collective impact we can make in the lives of people recovering from economic abuse.  

“Today I am a homeowner. My name is on the title. Both children live with me. I know about my money. I know where it goes. I know who’s getting paid. I love who I am today.”

* name has been changed for safety