Good Shepherd NZ and the Financial Services Federation (FSF) are excited to release a code of practice (the code) designed to help specialist lenders prevent and reduce harm for customers experiencing economic harm from family violence.

The announcement comes as Good Shepherd NZ marks International Economic Abuse Awareness Day (26 November 2025) with an event in Auckland to raise awareness of economic abuse and to announce the launch of the code.

“Economic abuse can be more invisible than other forms of family violence, so it is important that lenders and service providers can spot economic abuse and have appropriate processes in place to support their clients”, says Good Shepherd NZ Chief Executive, Tania Pouwhare

For Financial Services Federation (FSF) members, economic abuse means customers might not know about debt they are responsible for, or they suddenly may be unable to make payments. The code outlines responsibilities which member organisations will consider to better meet the unique needs of these customers and reduce the impact of economic abuse.

“We know organisations like those that belong to FSF are committed to supporting customers experiencing harm and vulnerabilities, so working together to develop a code of practice allowed us to draw on our expertise to create a code of practice that we hope will ultimately help victims” says FSF Executive Director, Lyn McMorran

The code is the result of a partnership between the two organisations, reflecting a shared commitment to support those experiencing economic harm from family violence. Co-design with FSF members has ensured that the code of practice responsibilities keep staff and customers safe and recognise the business context these organisations work within.

Good Shepherd NZ, in collaboration with the FSF, its members and family violence specialists, has also developed a companion resource to outline how responsibilities within the code can be met in practice.

“Family violence situations are complex. Staff might want to help, but often don’t know the right way to go about it. The companion resource provides some options and examples for how organisations may respond to different situations when their customers experiencing economic abuse”, says Tania

Further codes of practice will also be developed for the energy, telecommunications, and financial advisor sectors. We hope to see these sectors follow suit and commence co-design work in 2026.

Editor’s note

Help is available:

• Women’s Refuge — if you’re experiencing financial or economic abuse and/or other forms of family violence call 0800 733 843
• Good Shepherd’s Family Violence Economic Harm Service — if you’re recovering from family violence and want help with the money piece call 0800 466 370 option 4.

What is economic abuse?

• Financial and economic abuse is recognised in the Family Violence Act 2018, as a form of psychological abuse. It takes many forms — eg restricting money, damaging property, preventing from work, manipulating how much child support is owed, forcing or fraudulently incurring debt.
• Recent data shows that more than 60% of women seeking support from Women’s Refuge, who completed a risk assessment, noted they experienced financial or economic abuse.
• It can be hard to recognise economic abuse because, like other acts of psychological violence, it doesn’t leave visible marks.
  While it often occurs alongside other types of violence, it can also be a standalone act.
  Family violence economic harm can happen to anyone. We see people from all walks of life, socio-economic and demographic backgrounds, who suffer under controlling behaviours and economic abuse.
• The impact can be devastating and can affect financial wellbeing long after the relationship is over. Research shows us that women’s access to employment is affected by economic harm, which limits their financial independence during and after an abusive relationship.

About Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd is a charitable non-government organisation that helps women, girls and their families who are experiencing harm and hardship.

Good Shepherd NZ provides a specialist support service to help people address and recover from family violence economic harm. Our specialists have experience in financial capability, advocacy and working with those who have experienced family violence and economic harm.

Our work in New Zealand began in 1886. We work in more than 70 countries, drawing on collective expertise, especially in the areas of economic participation and wellbeing, safety and resilience.

The Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations for its work with women and girls and is supported by the Good Shepherd International Foundation.

About the FSF

The FSF is the non-profit industry association for specialist lenders operating in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a collective customer base of over 1.7million consumers and businesses. FSF members provide crucial competition to traditional banks through innovation, agility, and the ability to be closer to their customers.

Members include finance, leasing and credit-related insurance providers, and include the likes of UDC Finance, MTF, Turners, several credit unions and building societies, fintech firms, and the finance arms of global motor vehicle brands including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

With 60 years of history, FSF has stringent membership criteria and enforces a Code of Conduct to maintain high standards in responsible lending. FSF members prioritise compliance, support consumer protection enforcement, and advocate for balanced regulations that ensure New Zealanders can access responsibly provided credit.