Financial Literacy Programme

Pathways to Financial Literacy is an education programme run by Enterprise New Zealand Trust (ENZT). The Retirement Commission and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand are both founding sponsors of the programme.

The key goal of the programme is to teach senior secondary school students personal money management skills they can use everyday.

It helps them to understand how budgeting, saving and managing debt effectively will help them to achieve their goals.

Students consider a range of options and are encouraged to make the best choice for their circumstances.

Its aimed at senior students, but fits into many areas of the school curriculum - such as social studies, economics, or transition programmes.

It is made up of nine modules:

Why should I have a financial plan?
Income - where does it come from?
Budgeting - dividing up the income
Financial protection - the key to security?
Credit and borrowing - decisions and consequences
Taxation Banking - making money work
Savings and investment
Financial planning for the future

A full range of financial literacy skills for school leavers includes:

Confidence in managing their money and their financial risks.
An ability to recognise the short and long-term consequences of their financial decisions
An understanding of the long-term benefits of saving
An understanding of the relationship between education and income earning capacity
A recognition that financial management impacts on their life cycle choices and their interpersonal relationships
An ability to use credit responsibly
A positive attitude to financial planning.

Enterprise New Zealand Trust staff work closely with teachers to tailor the programme specifically to students' needs.

The Pathways to Financial Literacy Programme can be credited to NCEA and the New Zealand Institute of Management's (NZIM) Certificate in Management.

If you would like more information on the Financial Literacy Programme contact:

Lyn Morris Enterprise
New Zealand Trust
1st Floor 66-70 Bloomfield Terrace
PO Box 31545 Lower Hutt
Phone: 04 570 0452
Fax: 04 570 0453
E-mail: lynm@enzt.co.nz

About Enterprise New Zealand Trust
Enterprise New Zealand Trust operates programmes to promote enterprise education, economic literacy and business understanding. The Trust works in partnership with business, and works closely with the Employers Federation, Manufacturers Federation, teachers and the School Principals Association of NZ (SPANZ).

Visit the Enterprise New Zealand Trust website.