At Kore Hiakai, we are conscious that Ka Mākona paints a challenging picture of life for whānau on low incomes, when earnings are inadequate to meet their everyday living costs. So, we often ask; where is the hope for our whānau?

To answer this question, Tony Fuemana, GM at Uptempo, Brittany Goodwin, Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser at Good Shepherd, and Māhera Maihi, CEO at Mā te Huruhuru share with us about how their mahi makes a difference and a vision of their hopes for a brighter future.

KH: Tell us about the levers for change your organisation uses to bring about transformation for those on low incomes.

Tony: Uptempo works with Pasifika communities to support them to move up the employment ladder to jobs that are more secure, generate more income for families, open opportunities in industries that have more future pathways, and help people move from sunset (or declining) industries to sunrise (or emerging) industries which opens up further opportunities. Uptempo’s approach bridges both the work needed to grow confidence and skills of ‘aiga to take on better paid positions; AND works with employers, industry bodies and unions to identify, engage with and open up opportunities that could lead to progression.

Brittany: Good Shepherd NZ is focused on building financial security and resilience for women, girls and their whānau. We identify and address social issues intersecting with our financial and economic wellbeing work and advocate for changes in policies and practices to reduce and remove barriers to financial inclusion and economic participation.  GSNZ also delivers services that support people in hardship, including no-interest, no fee loans for essential goods and services or to pay off debts; financial wellbeing coaching; debt reduction negotiations; and Family Violence Economic Harm service to help people overcome the economic impacts of family violence.

Māhera:  Mā Te Huruhuru is focused on building accessible, affordable pathways to housing for taitamariki and whānau in South Auckland who face significant financial hardships and systemic barriers.

“Our levers for change—advocacy, housing provision, education, and culturally grounded support—are united by a commitment to strengthening lives and futures through secure housing.”

Our work is rooted in te ao Māori values, ensuring that every initiative honours manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and rangatiratanga. This holistic approach is not only a guide for our internal practices but also establishes a culturally affirming environment where our community can thrive, feel supported, and regain hope.

KH: What changes have you seen in your community over 2024?

Māhera: In 2024 the rising costs of living and increased demand for affordable housing saw whānau stretched more than ever. Yet alongside there has been an inspiring rise in community mobilisation, with people coming together to support one another and call for systemic changes that benefit all.

“One of the most promising changes has been the increase in awareness and support for community-driven housing solutions, particularly among our youth and within Māori and Pasifika networks.”

We’ve witnessed the strengthening of initiatives focused on sustainable, culturally rooted housing models, like papakāinga (such as He Pā Piringa at Mā Te Huruhuru, Te Whare Hiwa at Mana Services and a Pasifika model by Ola Le Ola) which reflect the collective values of our people. This year, the strengthening of our partnerships with local iwi and housing providers has also been transformative.

Brittany: We have seen an increase of people struggling to meet basic needs due to the cost-of-living crisis, with clients coming to us requesting loans for food, rent arrears, and cash, which are unfortunately outside of what we can help with. Housing has been a significant challenge for people too, with families living together to reduce costs.

“The recent changes to benefits, such as the traffic light system, seem to make it harder for people to get and retain government assistance when they need it.”

These financial pressures are making it harder for people to service their debt, pushing people to our services for help.

Tony: Uptempo and Project Ikuna’s four-year pilot project that ends in December this year has seen 303 Pasifika people move into higher paid work, returning $1,884,632 into Uptempo households and seeing an average of $9k-$12k pay increase for the ‘aiga Uptempo supported.  These results speak of how our project has brought positive change in ‘aiga’s financial well-being, both immediately and for future generations.

KH: Where do you see hope for positive transformation as you look towards the new year?

Brittany:

“There’s some indication that inflation will ease as we head into 2025 and relieve some financial pressure - if the cost of basic necessities such as food decrease, people who have been struggling will have a little more in their pockets this time next year.”

We have also seen some good enforcement action by the Commerce Commission recently, who have fined a lender providing high-cost loans which breached multiple aspects of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. We hope to see more strong enforcement of the affordability rules, which is essential to protect vulnerable people from predatory lending behaviour.

Tony: Uptempo’s GEM (Good Employer Matrix) is an important lever to help Māori and Pasifika into better paying roles.  A wide range of employers have picked up this powerful tool for change, including PSA, Kiwibank, NZ Super Fund, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Woolworths, Ventia, Downer, Jacobs, Autex Acoustics, Paparahi and more. More than 360 Auckland businesses have participated in Project Ikuna to improve employment opportunities for Pasifika ‘aiga.  These employers will continue to make a real difference in the wellbeing of these ‘aiga into 2025, and many years to come.

 Māhera: Hope for the new year lies in the momentum for systemic change, especially in affordable housing and income adequacy. Policymakers, funders, and housing providers are increasingly investing in Māori-led, community-driven solutions that respect and uplift our unique cultural strengths. Our taitamariki embody this hope, emerging as powerful advocates for their whānau and community. With support, this generation will transform housing from a privilege into a right, leading us toward a future where our people's wellbeing is central.

KH: Finally, as you look to Christmas and the summer break, what are you looking forward to for yourself, and what do you hope for those your organisation works with?

Māhera: I’m looking forward to time with my whānau, a moment to rest, reflect, and honour the journey, to recharge and reconnect with the values that ground us. I love watching the smiles on the faces of my loved ones when they open presents, I love hangi and seafood. This is my happy place. For those we serve, I hope this season brings peace, joy, and security.

“My wish is for every whānau to experience stability, whether through a permanent home, a strong support network, or the reassurance that they are seen and valued.”

Tony: I’m looking forward to enjoying summer weather and time with family, including some time fishing and diving with my kids.  I’m hopeful that Uptempo keeps looking for levers to help our ‘aiga have a better quality of life together.

Brittany: I look forward to the opportunity for our staff to have some well-deserved friend and whānau time over the holiday break, particularly for those who work so hard as coaches and advocates. For our clients, I hope that our services help to reduce the financial stresses that can come at Christmas time - whether it’s a loan for a car that allows clients to visit whānau for a Christmas meal, or a financial plan that leaves a little left over for presents for the kids, we want to give people the tools to build financial wellbeing now and into their futures.  

Kore Hiakai is glad to share these words of hope, and to spotlight the amazing mahi Tony, Brittany, Māhera and their teams do that is changing lives and building a brighter future with and for whānau.  With them, we look to 2025 with hopefulness for new possibilities and trust we can all begin the new year refreshed and committed to making a difference so that all in Aotearoa have enough to thrive!