A financial mentoring advocacy group in Tauranga wants to help people have a sustainable financial future.

Bay Financial Mentors–Tau Awhi Noa has been providing financial guidance and education in Tauranga for over 52 years.

Initiated to support families experiencing financial hardship in their community, Bay Financial Mentors provides financial mentoring, advocacy and education, so everyone can achieve sustainable financial wellbeing for themselves and future generations.

Each year the organisation delivers more than 5000 mentoring sessions, providing critical support to individuals and families navigating financial challenges at 12 locations throughout the region.

“We are committed to ensuring no one in our community feels alone in their financial struggles,” Bay Financial Mentors general manager Shirley McCombe said.

“Our goal is to empower individuals to regain control of their finances and build a sustainable future through free, confidential and non-judgmental help.”

The key service areas for those seeking support are split into four areas: one-on-one mentoring, community education, Total Money Management and Kahukura services; support for those who are homeless or potentially homeless.

In addition to these services, Bay Financial Mentors plays a pivotal role in the recently established initiative Super Support.

A programme that helps seniors navigate financial complexities, promoting confidence and security in managing their resources.

Bay Financial Mentors' involvement is to help these older adults with tailored financial advice and advocacy.

As financial pressures continue to grow with the cost-of-living crisis, the demand for Bay Financial Mentors’ services has surged amid significant reductions in government funding for its services.

The organisation remains committed to working closely with other community groups to expand its reach and connect with those in need, despite the financial challenges.

Financial wellbeing underpinned every element of our lives and financial hardship was directly linked to domestic violence, poor mental health and suicide, among other negative measures of the community’s health, McCombe said.

“Financial mentoring changes lives and is about more than just money. It’s about creating pathways to stability, dignity and empowerment.”

The reduction in government funding has created a substantial gap that Bay Financial Mentors must fill to maintain its vital services.

Its Total Money Management programme, which provides hands-on support for vulnerable clients, has lost all government funding.

Without this programme, many of its clients would struggle to manage their lives, keep their homes or even feed themselves.

TECT recently granted $30,000 towards Bay Financial Mentors, enabling it to continue serving those in need.

TECT trustee Rachael Gemming said Bay Financial Mentors’ work transformed lives, offering not only financial tools, but hope and the opportunity for a better future.

“One of TECT’s roles is to empower organisations like Bay Financial Mentors to sustain their services when the community needs them most,” Gemming said.

“This funding is ensuring people have access to critical support that can truly transform their lives.”

Amid the funding shortfall it is experiencing, Bay Financial Mentors has a clear vision for the future.

To strengthen its community education initiatives and further its collaboration with local organisations, expand its outreach and seek innovative solutions to funding challenges.

It strives to continue increasing its work in the prevention space and be more proactive than reactive to the needs of the community and create a brighter financial future for all.

For more information, go to https://tgabudget.org.nz/ or call 07 578 0969 for support.