Amber’s story about finding hope, dignity and respect

I want to be a great mum, to enjoy everyday things
with my children, to own a home and to use my
creativity to help others.

His control over the money I was earning has
changed the course of my life and continues to
hold me and my kids back.

Amber illustration

This is Amber’s story, edited to keep her safe and help you read. Quotes are Amber’s own words. Names have been changed.

I have two boys — age 8 and 12 — who both have special needs. It has been a year since I left my marriage of 18 years. Throughout our relationship, John used control and deception to stop me accessing money. It started with him questioning my ability to manage money, and built to the point where I had no access to my money and he was actively increasing my debt.

In the years before meeting him, I worked in the creative industries with a successful career. I was financially independent and self-sufficient in a senior role.

We met through mutual friends. He seemed outgoing and motivated, and any doubts I had about him shrank away with promises that he would take good care of me. A few months later he suggested we move in together to save for our own place

“It wasn’t until I met him that I actually started to feel like I was bad with money.”

He started questioning me about how I spent and managed money. He said I was bad at managing it. I never had problems managing money before, but over time I started to think I needed his help.

He worked in a bank. He suggested we set up a joint account and have him manage our finances so we could buy a house.

My husband’s control and abuse escalated. If I bought anything — even a coffee at work — he would call and berate me so loudly that other people could hear. I wasn’t allowed to buy anything for our children without his permission, and if I needed to, I was frightened about what he would do.

“I never knew what money we had because he took control of that, and he dictated how much money we had. So, if wanted to buy something it was never simple.”

He set up multiple bank accounts, including six for the mortgage. He would move money between them every day, so it was almost impossible for me to understand. He restricted my access to our accounts. He became aggressive if I asked what was happening with our money.

We were both earning good salaries, but he insisted we had no money and I was in “fuckin’ la la land” if I thought differently.

He set up a personal bank account without telling me. He called it ‘Car Loan’ and put all of his money into it. My salary paid for the mortgage and bills, and any leftover money was moved into the fake car loan account for him to spend. I didn’t know our real car loan was not being paid.

As our relationship began to fall apart, my husband moved into the sleepout. He abused me constantly, regularly sending threatening texts saying I would never get the children or the house.

“My mental health just could not cope with what was going on. He was taunting me, sending me abusive messages. It was the worst case of emotional abuse.”

The stress was overwhelming. I felt suicidal and I ended up in hospital. During that time, he staged the house to make it look like I was an alcoholic and an
unfit mother. He took photos for a custody application and gained full custody of our children. I paid for a hair follicle test to prove his allegations were false.

When I left the relationship, I had nowhere to go, so I slept on the floor in my sister’s lounge for a month. I’m renting a two-bedroom house now. It’s an hour’s drive from the city where my children go to school. My weekly outgoings are more than I have coming in, so I rely on food parcels from Women’s Refuge and Love Soup, and handouts from family. My ex still won’t let me into the house to get my clothes or belongings. He kept joint assets like our furniture and car. I had to use my Kiwisaver to buy a car so I could get the kids to school.

I’m so grateful to Good Shepherd and Woven Earth for organising donated furniture so my boys and I now have beds. Having items like furnishings, plants and posters gives me a sense of hope, dignity and respect.

“It keeps me stuck where I am not able to move forward because he still dictates what’s happening with the house. He’s still got all my belongings.”

My ex-husband’s abuse and the challenges that come from it continue almost a year after I left the relationship. I sought legal advice to regain access to my children after he lied to government agencies about their safety and my competence as a parent. I care for our children more than half of the time, but he told the IRD he is their primary carer, so I am not entitled to child support. I cover the cost of their clothing, school and extracurricular activities, medical care, and counselling even though I earn a third of what he does. If I ask for money to help with these things he verbally abuses me.

He is also actively putting me further into debt. I pay half of the mortgage while he lives in the family home, but he changed the bank account details without telling me so I couldn’t pay and fell into arrears. He pays his half of the mortgage — it’s with the bank who employs him — but he refuses to pay any rates, bills or insurance for the house he is living in. He won’t talk with me about the sale of the house and is neglecting maintenance so it will decrease in value and he can buy my share at a reduced price.

His abuse and the situation I’m in have affected my mental health. I had to give up my well-paid job and I’m on the Jobseeker benefit. I have lost confidence, and I feel like I have PTSD.

I’m fighting for increased custody of my children, child support payments, access to my things, and to be able to sell the family home so I can untangle my finances from John’s and move on. He has the means to pay for a high-powered lawyer and I am relying on legal aid. The process is slow and difficult, but I will persist.

“[I want to] start using this experience to give me the courage to put myself out there, and not let this experience just bury me”.

Getting Jane medical care and opportunities

Jane was in urgent need of medical support. But existing high-cost debt and financial commitments made another loan unaffordable. A grant enabled medical care and gave her space to regroup.

Handshake

Jane contacted Good Shepherd when she was in a difficult situation. She needed urgent medical support, but juggling various debts and financial commitments made it impossible for her to get a loan to cover the costs. 

Our team reviewed Jane’s situation and realised a loan from Good Shepherd wasn’t a feasible option in the short term. Her pressing circumstances led to a decision to offer a grant instead, to alleviate her financial and health stress right away. At the same time, we recommended a debt consolidation loan as a longer-term solution for simplifying Jane’s finances and reducing the strain of unmanageable debt. 

When the Good Loan Coach called her to explain the decision, Jane was overwhelmed with emotion. She was moved by the level of help she was receiving, especially after being turned down by another service for the one-off expense she urgently needed to cover.  

Jane is now working closely with her coach to explore debt consolidation as a way to regain control over her finances. 

* name has been changed for safety

Helping Hannah escape eviction

Hannah’s life and wellbeing were affected by family violence in many ways. She was behind on rent and facing eviction. A grant set her on a different path.

Hannah’s* life and wellbeing were affected by family violence in many ways, including ongoing symptoms of multiple concussions from physical abuse and significant financial challenges due to economic harm.

She contacted Good Shepherd to ask about a loan when she was behind in rent. Hannah’s landlord had served an eviction notice. 

Hannah was working part time and had recently secured a full-time job after building up her physical and psychological capacity to take on more work. This was a recovery milestone for Hannah and would really improve her financial situation. With the new job due to start in two weeks, she could not afford to lose the safety and stability of her home. Without somewhere to live she would likely need to resign. 

We were not able to approve a loan for Hannah because it would be unaffordable. Her experience fleeing family violence had left her with $97,000 owed to government agencies. She was on a repayment plan that would take over 200 years for the debt to be repaid. 

Considering Hannah’s circumstances, we were able to provide a grant for her to pay rent arrears, keep her in her home and keep her recovery on track. We continue to work alongside Hannah and her financial mentor as she rebuilds her life. 

* name has been changed for safety.

Allie’s new teeth bring better physical and mental health

After years of abuse, poverty and neglect, Allie lost her teeth. She was embarrassed, physically uncomfortable and removing herself from society. Thanks to donations from the public, we could help.

Allie came to Good Shepherd for a loan. While working with her, our team member learned she was experiencing economic harm due to family violence. Allie did not qualify for a loan. We decided to tap into our grant fund as part of wider economic harm support. In response, Allie sent the following email (lightly reworded and anonymised to keep her safe).

“Hello, my name is Allie. I’m 34 and mother to five children. Recently I finally took steps to leave a life of violence and emotional pain — more for my children than myself if I’m being honest.  

Life wasn’t kind to me growing up. I didn’t feel safe or happy. I thought violence and cruelty were normal things. We lived in poverty and I thought this kind of life was standard. 

I had next to nothing when I left my relationship. It was a hard and humbling experience. I was struggling to get out of bed and do the most basic tasks. I have a degenerative disorder that causes pain and fatigue, and affects many areas of my health including causing heart trouble, hair loss, skin tears and digestion issues. It also makes my teeth crumble. 

A few years ago my teeth were wiggling like a young child’s. Years of violence and poor health made the pain in my teeth unbearable. With no money to fund new teeth, I was desperate to have them gone, so I had them pulled out. After this I didn’t leave the house much. I could see people staring at my mouth when I spoke and I felt so embarrassed. 

Recently my therapist recommended getting in touch with Good Shepherd for help with debt resulting from abuse in my relationship. I didn’t want to because I thought I would be judged for poor spending choices — when you’re not doing well you don’t always make the best choices. I applied for a Good Shepherd loan, expecting this to be another let down and believing I deserved that. I was contacted by a kind man who didn’t judge me, gave his time freely, and showed me empathy. He also connected me with his colleague Vanessa. 

I didn’t qualify for a loan, but she helped me make a plan for managing my debt and chatted to me like I’m a normal person. It felt amazing to be supported by this kind and bubbly person. I really didn’t expect what happened next. I found out I’m getting teeth! Vanessa said a grant would pay for the dental work I need. After four years of having no teeth and no confidence in any situation that requires talking, I am being helped with teeth. Now I’ll be able to talk to my kids’ teachers, and have simple appointments where they won’t look at my mouth when I speak.

It’s the beginning of maybe a more confident, newer self. I’m so incredibly grateful for your help.

P.S. Your staff are those people on the planet who make it less crappy”.

Helping Mīria stay in her home

Mīria was subjected to violence by her partner in the family home she owned. She suffered a huge amount of economic harm and almost lost her house.

Miria illustration

Mīria* was referred to Good Shepherd by a financial mentor after she reached out to find help for the debt in her name due to family violence.     

She lives rurally, in a North Island town with her children and grandchild. Mīria was subjected to violence by her partner in the family home she owned. Police took her and the children to stay with her mother. They all slept on the floor, while Mīria’s partner remained in her house. 

During the relationship, the couple received a benefit. He controlled all the money and financial decisions. Mīria was forced to have debts taken out in her name, and bills only got paid if he wanted them to. She wasn’t allowed to open her own mail or emails. 

Mīria obtained a protection order, and after a year of court processes he was incarcerated. 

When she was able to return to her home, Mīria learned he had not paid any of the household bills. The power, mortgage, and rates were in arrears. Because of a bad credit rating, the mortgage was with a third-tier, high-cost lender and the debts were out of control. Mīria also has $19,000 of debt owing to Work and Income.

She had been working with Women’s Refuge, Work and Income, and a financial mentor to try and sort out the relationship debt she was left with. Good Shepherd was contacted a day before the house was going to mortgagee auction. Our family violence economic harm service made contact with the mortgage lender. We learned about a $9,000 car loan her ex-partner had taken out, secured by the house. The car loan was with another high-cost lender and, because he hadn’t been making payments, it had increased to $30,000. 

Through meetings and discussions, Good Shepherd managed to halt the house sale while a new contract was negotiated with an interest rate almost four per cent lower. Other debts needed to be addressed for this agreement to go ahead.

We contacted the relevant creditors and collections agencies, managing to get debt wiped to the value of almost $8,000. This included power arrears and Afterpay. Centrix removed outstanding defaults from Mīria’s credit report. Through several conversations with the council, we accessed a $750 rates rebate which took the arrears debt to $6,630. Some of this was added to the new mortgage, and the remainder was paid by a grant from Good Shepherd. Reduced debt, and lower and redirected payments mean Mīria can stay on top of ongoing costs, afford basic needs, and keep the family home. 

As well as economic harm services, we worked with the financial mentor to support Mīria’s family in other ways. The Police ‘flexi fund’ was accessed for new beds for the children, and a small community grant allowed for the purchase of some vegetable seeds and potting mix to set up a vegetable garden. Another Good Shepherd grant made sure Mīria and her family had groceries when they moved back into their home.

Some of the children struggled with mental wellbeing throughout this experience, and returning home has allowed them to settle back into school. Mīria is grateful for the help she has received, and says she now feels confident to speak with creditors to discuss her financial situation.

“I’m starting anew, I’m a new person!” – Mīria

* name has been changed for safety

Making Mili’s debt more manageable

Family violence left Mili with a lot of unmanageable debt. We could see opportunities to help her become more financially stable. So, we got to work.

Mili* got in touch with Good Shepherd after being referred to us by Women’s Refuge. She left an abusive relationship where her partner controlled all the money and the financial decisions. Mili and her five children were staying at the Refuge’s safe house, and she had a protection order against her ex-partner.

When fleeing violence, Mili had needed loans from the government for things like housing and furniture. She had to relocate six times, leading to a debt of $100,000 with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Mili was working with a financial mentor to try and improve her situation.

Our team could see opportunities to help her become more financially stable, so we got to work. We were able to get Mili’s repayments to MSD reduced from $98 to $30. This loan won’t be paid off in her lifetime but lower repayments should help with getting by each week. 

We learned that $70 of Mili’s benefit was being redirected to pay for power each week, and this had been the case for years. Conversations with the power company revealed she was in credit by $2,000 and they hadn’t been able to make contact with her due to her address and phone number changing often as she moved to stay safe. Despite being in credit, when Mili moved into her new Kainga Ora rental and applied to the same company, they declined her due to a bad credit report. After we helped the power provider understand Mili’s situation, power was connected, her overpayment was refunded, and her power and internet was capped at $200 for six months.   

Mili also had a $20,000 debt with a finance company for a recent car purchase. Her ex had always damaged her vehicles — often when she tried to leave the relationship. While Mili was staying at the safe house, he found where she was and smashed her new car so badly it couldn’t be driven. The finance company had been contacted about the loan being unaffordable when it was first obtained, and they responded by refunding interest and penalties, and lowering repayments. After the car was damaged, and through many conversations, we managed to have it returned to the finance company. Because of Mili’s unique circumstances, they wiped the remaining debt.

“Thank you so much, no one has ever been able to help me the way you have” – Mili.

* name has been changed for safety

Rebecca experiences long-term impacts of economic harm

Rebecca’s trusting 20-year marriage became physically and emotionally abusive and led to lasting economic harm that could have prevented access to housing, electricity and work opportunities.

“I never thought I could do this in my life, but I did it. I can breathe again.”

Rebecca and her husband worked in good jobs and lived a nice lifestyle. 

Over time, her husband began gambling and using drugs. He had looked after their finances for a while, 

but it started going further than managing bills. He controlled Rebecca’s bank accounts, accessed her email without her knowledge, and reset banking passwords to take money from her. He stole valuable jewellery from Rebecca and pawned it to pay for his addictions.

Rebecca understood how bad things were, and separated from her husband despite family encouragement to stay and work on her marriage. 

With the family home caught up in a prolonged court process, Rebecca was exhausted and had minimal funds to support her family. She started a small business on top of her day job, and still needed to rely on foodbanks and community support. 

Over the next year, Rebecca worked with her bank to use the proceeds from the relationship property to buy her own home. But a credit check found over $40,000 of debt in her name that she was unaware of. 

She was referred to Good Shepherd and met Vanessa — a specialist in recovery from economic harm. Vanessa’s work helps lenders recognise when credit applications could be linked to abuse, advocates for better processes, and educates creditors and Good Shepherd clients about possible solutions for unjust debt.  

Vanessa worked closely with Rebecca. She advocated with Rebeca’s bank and the other creditor to get an agreement on resolving the debt. With a resolution agreed on, Rebecca’s bank approved her home loan.

As she started setting up the utilities in her new home, Rebecca got a call from a debt collection agency about a more than $10,000 debt in her name that she didn’t know about. Vanessa worked with the utility company on a resolution, and Rebecca was able to get utilities in her new home. 

The economic impact of family violence can continue even after the relationship and other forms of abuse have ended. Good Shepherd raises awareness of this, encouraging businesses and organisations to develop appropriate responses for their customers and clients so we can all play our part in eliminating family harm in New Zealand.

Finding support

If you’re concerned about economic harm or want to talk with someone about the money side of your relationship, our Economic Harm Specialists are trained in advocacy and understand the impact of economic harm.

Lagi gets a reliable car for medical treatments

For Lagi, a reliable car is important. When her car stopped working and needed to be replaced, it felt like there was no way to avoid the pressure of a high-cost loan.

Two of Lagi’s family members depend on her for transport to medical appointments.  

When her car stopped working, Lagi knew life was going to be challenging. A mechanic explained that the car wasn’t worth repairing, so she looked for replacement options.  

Lagi found some suitable cars but they were out of her price range. Several finance companies rejected her application for a loan.  

Friends recommended Lagi get a car from a local dealer. The dealer offered her a loan through their in-house finance.  

Lagi’s work in education and financial services means she knows about good financial decisions. But after weighing her circumstances she felt out of options. The dealer said she needed to put down a deposit while she was there. Lagi borrowed money from family and signed the contract.  

She felt uneasy for a few days. Lagi decided to cancel the contract, and pushed to have her deposit returned. 

Lagi knew she needed to sort out her finances. She arranged to talk with one of Good Shepherd’s team about her situation. Existing debt was putting Lagi too far into deficit and she was not immediately able to get a Good Loan to buy a new car. But her Good Loans Coach, Rosh, helped her with options. 

They talked through a plan to change Lagi’s budget to pay off some high-cost debt, negotiate a plan with her creditors and free up some money to repay a loan for a car, and consolidate a larger debt she was struggling to get on top of.  

Lagi planned to reduce her debt over a month but managed to clear it within two weeks. With enough surplus in her budget, Lagi had a car loan confirmed and bought a car. She felt really good about getting her family where they need to be.

“I can’t find words to express my gratitude for Good Shepherd. I have already started spreading the word to my community”.