Get a financial leg-up from women in the know

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Making free, impartial information on all things money available to everyone in Aotearoa, Sorted is run by the team at Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, which – fun insider fact #1 – is staffed predominately by wāhine who totally get you, and have a particular drive to improve women’s financial wellbeing. As a shout-out to International Women’s Day on March 8, some of them have gathered here today to impart intel, to help you get ahead sooner.

Jane Wrightson

Retirement Commissioner

Why do you think women should take the bull by the horns when it comes to getting a handle on our finances?

“Because women start on the financial back foot from the get-go. We tend to earn less, which leads to saving less; get hit harder by life shocks like unemployment and divorce; and spend longer periods in unpaid work. We can and should argue for system change, but we also need to upskill ourselves – I know I really needed to understand risk better – advocate for women less fortunate, and make sure younger women and the men in our lives understand our realities. Knowledge is power!”

Ana Tu’inukuafe

Community Relationship Specialist

What are a few of the key financial habits you credit with making you feel sorted?

“These habits aren’t mind-blowing, but they’re practical and the steps I usually take around spending:

I pause and think: ‘Is this purchase a want or a need?’ I weigh up the impact of spending, including the impact of keeping the vā/honouring the relationship if it’s a request from family or cultural giving. I like to sleep on a decision before I act, then in the morning, I’ll ask myself if I still want to buy the thing I’m considering. Or I might go for a run/walk/to the gym, then ask myself if I still want it.

I’ve created a testing process over the years that makes sense for me in terms of my decision-making around spending. What’s my goal? Who will be affected if I make this purchase? Will it be of value to my family? Will it bring pride or shame? It helps me to avoid unnecessary purchases almost immediately if they don’t resonate on these levels.

I also like to discuss my purchases if I’m planning to buy something expensive. If I’m too shy to ask about something, I’ll research it first, so when I do have the conversation with someone, I’ll at least I have a vague idea of what we’re talking about!”

Devon Connelly

CRM and Marketing Administrator

As a young woman working in financial capability, what’s your inside take on the positives of making time to learn how to make your money work for you sooner rather than later?

“Money can be a pretty stressful topic, but being on top of it, rather than avoiding it, can save a whole lot of unnecessary worry. Even just doing one thing at a time – like setting up an automatic payment to your savings account after payday, or checking and changing what type of KiwiSaver fund you’re in – can really get you ahead and ease your mind.”

Dikshi Bhutani

Data and Analytics Specialist

What would you say to your younger self if you could give her some advice about money?

“I’ve generally managed my money well, but I didn’t save as much as I could have when I first started working and earning. If I could talk to my younger self now, I’d tell her to start saving any amount she can each week, because even small amounts really do add up. As an immigrant, I had to start my life from scratch when I arrived in New Zealand, and without access to savings like KiwiSaver for home buying, personal savings are even more crucial.

“I’d suggest younger me set up separate saving accounts for specific goals such as holidays, and to cover emergencies like healthcare and unexpected travel, to help stop me using credit cards and getting into debt. I would also have advised myself to consider investing part of my disposable income into some sort of a plan for long-term goals or even retirement, which is the least of our concerns when we’re young, but shouldn’t be if we want to create a good life for our future selves too.”

Vanessa Morris

Marketing Director

What good money habits do you intend to pass on to your daughter?

“The habits I hope to pass on to Ella are to always talk about money with those you trust, have the right bank accounts to make your finances easy to manage, and earn your own money – it’s liberating.

“I’m really open with her and my son about our financials. She knows how big our mortgage is and what I’m paid. I tell her when I’m proud about what I’ve saved, if I feel guilty about spending, and when we’re strapped for cash and juggling things. It helps her to appreciate the trade-offs.

“I’ve got accounts for saving, spending, giving and bills, and organised the same for my kids – well, except for the bills one. They get their weekly pocket money via automatic payment, and are set up so they each automatically send 30% to their spending account, 50% to their saving account and 20% to their giving account.

“As for earning her own money, Ella started to do this in the school holidays and has seen the choices it creates.”

Yasmin Frazer

Learning Lead

How has working for Te Ara Ahunga Ora and Te whai hua – kia ora, Sorted in Schools given your financial wellbeing a boost, and what would you say to other women about their own?

“For me, it’s highlighted the need to really be across your finances and focus not only on thinking about the short term but also the bigger picture. I’ve also learned how important it is to have money conversations with the people in your life; it’s critical to be on the same page about your financial priorities, particularly with those you share finances with. Is giving and sharing important to you? It is to me and that’s ok – I just need to be purposeful about it and build it into my budget.

“Overall, I’d say: keep those eyes open – be honest with yourself about your spending, your values and your money goals. Don’t float through life hoping it’ll all work out someday. We’ve got the power now.”

Natalie Palmer

Stakeholder Specialist

What are you grateful for when it comes to women’s financial choices in 2025, and how do you enact them in your life?

“I’m grateful for all the resources that are available to wāhine to support us in making better financial decisions for our future. I’m continuing to educate myself on the gender pay and retirement savings gaps, for reasons including that I faced the ‘motherhood penalty’ myself when I spent almost a year away from paid work during my maternity leave. I returned to paid work part-time, so I could juggle the work-life balance, not realising the huge toll it would take on my KiwiSaver balance, my career progression, and my overall job satisfaction, given the options for part-time roles are limited.

“When I accepted a promotion three years ago to move into a full-time position, I realised it was also a good opportunity to set some financial goals with my husband that we could both work towards, while ensuring I no longer carried the majority of the parenting and household duties. I’ve learned how important it is when you’re in a partnership to be working together equally – and although no one likes to dwell on the possibility of divorce and thinks it will never happen to them, we also need to protect our future selves by having a financial plan in place for if it does.”

Kara Northcott

Sorted at Work facilitator

What are your thoughts on the beauty of Sorted at Work’s dedicated course, Sorted Women?

“Sorted Women is designed to give women the knowledge and confidence to take control of their financial futures. Women often don’t feel as confident discussing finances in mixed-gender settings as men do, which is why it’s so valuable. The transformation I’ve seen is incredible – women walk in thinking they don’t earn much, but by creating a spending plan and sticking to it, they start saving money within just three months. They leave with a renewed sense of control, realising they can improve not only their own lives but also that of their family.

“It’s vital for women to upskill financially because we tend to live longer than men, earn less over our lifetimes and take more time away from paid employment, all of which impact long-term financial security. The good news? Women can naturally be better long-term decision-makers, smarter investors and more strategic with money.

“Seeing women build confidence, start saving and make better financial choices is inspiring. Financial knowledge isn’t just power – it’s freedom.”

My Money Sorted: Natalie

A bad finfluence on your socials? Skip getting swayed with these 5 tips

Comments

7 March 25
Tom from Sorted

Thanks for commenting Deborah, sounds like you could use some personalised help. We highly recommend you discuss your situation as soon as you can – even anonymously – with the team at MoneyTalks, which runs a free helpline. You can easily chat online at moneytalks.co.nz, call 0800 345 123 or text 4029.
7 March 25
Deborah

Hi, I'm looking for a budgeting mentor. For accountability. I have a huge mental load with an unwelll husband and parenting 4 teens, and we have a complicated life.

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