Today we released our latest policy paper, “Defining dignified income”. We use the term ‘dignified income’ to describe income that is more than just enough to scrape by – it allows for women to live fulfilled lives.
This paper explores the issues preventing women from receiving equitable employment outcomes and breaks down how we define dignified income to better understand the factors which support women’s financial outcomes.
We want to understand both the opportunities and the barriers to dignified income, to inform future work on how these opportunities can be maximised and barriers overcome.
We know that women often experience poorer pay and employment opportunities than men, and that access to income is essential for women’s quality of life, access to goods and services, financial security and safety. Having enough income is essential to ensure bills can be paid, food can be put on the table, and children can receive the resources they need to thrive. Without this, women are vulnerable to poverty and may become dependent on others to make ends meet.
In this paper, we define dignified income as enough to pay the bills with some leftover for emergency savings and treats, it’s stable and secure, and it’s safe from harm and harassment. Ideally, income is also adaptable enough to enable a fair work/life balance, and the work experience is appropriate and fulfilling. These factors are all important to ensure a person’s income is dignified, but there are many compromises people make in relation to employment and income to make work suit their lifestyle and life stage. So, one way to look at dignified income is being able to meet basic needs and earn an income that aligns with a person’s more aspirational goals and values at the time. It’s about unlocking the privilege of choice.
New report on issues facing women experiencing harm and hardship
Today we are excited to release our report “Issues facing women experiencing harm and hardship” which focuses on the key financial and economic challenges that women are facing. This paper pulls together research and data from several sources and serves as a point in time view of how different factors come together to disadvantage women in New Zealand.
The paper shows that, while there is important work being done by the community, philanthropic and government sectors, there is still significant need for change. Women continue to face worse financial outcomes and remain vulnerable to harm and hardship.
On-going pay equity disparities mean women still struggle to access dignified income, which impacts their financial wellbeing and leaves them vulnerable to harm. It is also apparent that problem debt remains a pervasive issue for those in hardship and especially for those experiencing family violence economic abuse.
These challenges are harder for certain cohorts of women. In particular, Māori and Pacific women are overrepresented in family violence, housing deprivation, and gender pay gap statistics. The proportion of women on the sole parent benefit, difficulty re-entering the labour market, and the high value of unpaid child support debt shows that single mothers are also a cohort in need.
This reaffirms that women’s financial lives are not the product of discrete factors, there are many structural, systematic, and demographic issues that interact to impact whether a woman experiences hardship or harm. Complex challenges require complex solutions. We have undertaken this research as part of our work to identify and address social issues where they intersect with our financial and economic wellbeing work. This information will be used to support or identify changes that reduce and remove barriers to financial inclusion and economic participation for women. Going forward, we intend to deep-dive into some of the issues noted in this paper and present recommendations for changes that create better outcomes for women.
Partnering to support single older women into housing
Good Shepherd New Zealand, the Selwyn Foundation and the legacies of Sir Ernest Hyam Davis and Yvonne (Mollie) Carr, proudly managed by Perpetual Guardian, are coming together to design and pilot a new support service for single older women experiencing housing instability.
Lower average salaries, economic harm from family violence, and higher representation in casual and part time work can make it hard for women to save for their future – despite wanting to. The number of people entering their senior years as renters is also increasing.
Emma Saunders, Chief Executive at Good Shepherd NZ, says:
“As a result, single older women can face financial barriers to living in healthy, secure and affordable homes that meet their needs. Some don’t have enough money to pay for bond or advance rent, afford essential appliances, make small changes to keep a home safe and accessible, or connect to utilities. We have some tools that can help.”
We are thrilled to be partnering with two organisations and the proud legacies of former Auckland Mayor Sir Ernest Hyam Davis and his daughter Yvonne (Mollie) Carr, who all have a strong track record for supporting women into their later stages of life. The Selwyn Foundation provides services to older people and their families, and uses its financial assets and leadership to drive positive social impact at scale. Perpetual Guardian has been providing estate planning options for New Zealanders for over 145 years, alongside enacting the wishes of philanthropists like Sir Ernest and Mollie, to provide social support to older people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Thanks to funding from all parties, Good Shepherd NZ will co-design and work alongside these and other organisations supporting single older women experiencing housing challenges. We will leverage Good Shepherd’s financial wellbeing services and tools as part of an innovative and community-focused package of support. This includes our no-interest loans and family violence economic support for those experiencing intimate partner or elder abuse.
Liz Gibbs, Chief of Social Impact at The Selwyn Foundation, says:
“Through this work, we hope to remove the financial barriers for some single older women accessing safe and stable housing. We also hope to contribute to the social sector’s understanding of the experience of older women, the barriers they face, and how best to assist them.”
Supporting single older women is an important part of our mission to help women, girls and their families be safe, strong, well and connected. Their needs, priorities and decisions will guide this pilot programme so our help is effective in ways that uphold mana and dignity.
Kirsten Kilian-Taylor, Head of Philanthropy at Perpetual Guardian, says:
“The Selwyn Foundation and Good Shepherd NZ are doing great work in spaces that align beautifully to the legacies of Sir Ernest Hyam Davis and Mollie Carr and their heart intentions that our older generations are supported into housing and to move beyond deprivation and financial insecurity. This is an exciting collaboration, and we look forward to working together to help lift older women out of hardship and increase their financial and holistic wellbeing.”
New research into the long-term impacts of economic abuse
Good Shepherd New Zealand is pleased to share new research examining the ongoing impacts of economic harm from family violence. The report titled ‘Long-term impacts of family violence economic abuse’ shines light on women’s experiences of economic abuse, and the financial and economic consequences that can continue long after a relationship has ended.
Economic abuse is a form of family violence that uses coercive, controlling, and threatening behaviour to restrict or remove a person’s financial freedom, autonomy, and security.
Some early insights from this work were released in November 2024 as part of an International Economic Abuse Awareness Day event, and we’re excited to now be releasing the report in full.
Economic abuse is a relatively recent area of study. We are privileged to add this report to the body of knowledge about such an important subject. Our research used data from the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges and Good Shepherd’s Economic Harm Service to illustrate the variety and extent of economic abuse experienced by women — often alongside physical violence, emotional abuse, gaslighting and other harmful behaviours.
We found that over the course of a year, 60% of Women’s Refuge clients who completed a risk assessment identified they had experienced at least one form of economic harm. Most (72%) reported being excluded from decisions about shared or household money, and a similar number (68%) reported being stopped from having their own money. Good Shepherd New Zealand clients also reported economic restriction and control, and forced or coerced debt. There was an average of $22,000 of debt per person, and the majority held multiple debts with one or more creditor. The impact of this can be devastating, and can affect financial wellbeing long after the relationship is over.
Women interviewed discussed how houses, children, and the legal system were weaponised against them after leaving the relationship — burning them out emotionally and pushing them further into financial hardship. For others, the impacts of high-cost debt were compounded by the challenges of a ruined credit score, housing insecurity, and difficulty re-entering the job market.
Many clients interviewed said they found it hard to imagine a future, but they were hopeful about looking forward to the simple things in life, such as a home, happy children, a job, and being debt free. We will continue to play our part in supporting women to be lifted out of harm and hardship and into better financial wellbeing.
A heartfelt thank you to former Good Shepherd clients who participated in interviews for this research project. We’re so grateful for your trust and insights. And thank you to the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges for providing us with their data to help us understand the economic harm their clients experience.
Lived experience at the heart of system change on International Economic Abuse Awareness Day
“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.
International Economic Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to call for greater recognition of the harm caused by economic abuse and the need for solutions. This year, we gathered people working in the community, private, and public sectors for an event at Parliament focused on making a difference for people experiencing 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
Women In Finance fundraising lunch raises $17,000 for women and girls experiencing harm or hardship
Good Shepherd New Zealand was this year’s charity partner for the Financial Services Federation (FSF) Women in Finance fundraising lunch. The event amplifies the voices and contributions of women working in Aotearoa’s financial services sector. Generous support from attendees this year means the event will also amplify the strength and wellbeing of women rebuilding their lives after harm and hardship.
The fund we use to provide small grants to women, girls and their families alongside our service delivery has been generously bolstered by the FSF Women in Finance luncheon. Every cent of money donated to this fund is passed along to women and girls whose life circumstances are holding them down.
“It feels especially good to know that a room full of women lifting each other up in their industry will translate to women lifting themselves and their families out of impossible choices, towards safety, wellbeing and connection.” — Emma Saunders, CEO of Good Shepherd NZ
The event was masterfully emceed by Petra Bagust, and featured raffle tickets, an auction, and insightful discussion by Kerry Boielle, CEO of TSB, and Vittoria Shortt, CEO of ASB. Many hands were raised to bid on auction items, and some were raised to offer spontaneous personal donations or contribute on behalf of organisations.
Donations will help Good Shepherd support women working to free themselves from hardship, and/or economic harm relating to family violence. Sometimes a small grant can be the thing that keeps someone safe, gives them a break, or makes the difference between spiralling down and looking ahead.
For example, we have provided a small grant to:
Buy groceries for a mum of seven leaving a violent relationship, while we worked alongside her to address the impact of economic abuse
Enable car repairs for a woman who needed her car to get to cancer treatments
Pay a $16 road toll bill, which meant a police officer could get a no-interest car loan to transport her child with special needs
Buy a fridge for the mum of a baby and toddler leaving a violent relationship, who was forced to live on takeaways in an empty house
Pay rent arrears for a woman who was going to be evicted, preventing homelessness and enabling her to become employed.
Congratulations to the Financial Services Federation for hosting a truly special event, full of talented women being real and building each other up. Your team is small, but it is also mighty! We are so fortunate to be your partner charity in a year when the Women in Finance event raised more than double the amount of the previous year.
These few hours of connection, inspiration and celebration will bring relief and opportunity in times when good news is hard to come by. Thank you to everyone who gave through the event — your contribution has energised us and will make a real difference in helping women, girls and their families be safe, well, strong and connected.
