Evaluation: Community
finance initiative

May 2018

Malatest International undertook an evaluation of Good Shepherd New Zealand’s no and low interest loans scheme.

The Community Finance Initiative (CFI) was established in 2014 to provide loans to a group of New Zealanders described as ‘financially vulnerable’ – meaning they did not meet standard bank criteria and had exhausted their Work and Income options. 

The CFI provides access to a fair and affordable line of credit as an alternative to fringe lenders, many of whom charge high interest rates and fees. It is run by Good Shepherd New Zealand and BNZ, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, and delivered by community partners like the Salvation Army.

This interim report describes the findings of Part One of the outcomes evaluation based on baseline survey results for 324 participants.