Belinda (*) was living in Australia with her baby daughter and partner when his physical abuse escalated. Fearing for her safety, she made the courageous decision to leave and return to Aotearoa to rebuild her life.

Because she left so suddenly, Belinda left almost all her belongings behind. Her ex-partner returned to the rental property, took everything that remained, refused to pay child support and kept her possessions rather than selling them to help settle outstanding power, gas and internet bills.

Arriving back in New Zealand with nothing, Belinda received emergency housing support from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). After several weeks she secured a rental property and once her Sole Parent Support benefit was in place, MSD helped with recoverable assistance for her bond, rent in advance and essential furniture for her and her baby.

But she had no transport, a major barrier to finding work, accessing childcare and attending appointments. Hoping to buy a car, she approached Good Shepherd NZ for a loan.

Our family violence economic harm team worked alongside Belinda with care and without judgement. Multiple debts across both countries were limiting her ability to afford a loan. Some debts her ex-partner had coerced her into taking on in her name, including household bills and a buy-now-pay-later account. A credit check revealed even more defaults she hadn’t known existed. 

Good Shepherd NZ contacted creditors across New Zealand and Australia on Belinda’s behalf. Four unjust debts totalling $7,500 were waived and a monitoring alert was removed from her credit file. Payment arrangements were set-up for the remaining balances while other solutions were explored. With most of the unjust debt behind her, Belinda was finally in a position to afford a loan for a car, a crucial step toward rebuilding her life on her own terms.

With a stable home, reliable transport, and relief from oppressive debt, she can now move forward with renewed confidence and dignity.

*name has been changed.