Money matters
Wānaka is a great place to live, but life here isn't always easy. It's a fine balance to cover day-to-day expenses like power, petrol, rent, and looking after your wellbeing – sometimes, all it takes is an unexpected medical, car, or school cost to make life unaffordable.
This month, we’re reminding the community of the financial support and advice available locally.
Whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or working on trying to save, Community Networks/LINK can connect you with free financial advice and support for a whole range of issues.
From our home at the Wānaka Community Hub, our front desk team can help you complete application forms to see what Work and Income benefits you might be entitled to; book you a consultation with IRD to talk about tax, student loans and child support; or arrange a chat with our registered Social Worker, who can talk through your difficulties and connect you with longer-term support.
Food parcels are available to anyone locally in need of a little extra help. Find out more about the process on our website.
If you’re over 65, we can also arrange a consultation with MSD’s Office for Seniors to discuss applications for NZ Super, disability allowance or any other queries you may have. This service is available through our Reconnecting Seniors project.
Our Community Support Fund can also offer some financial support for schools-based costs, such as school uniform or stationery; household costs such as power and medical bills; and one-off costs like fuel and firewood. Anyone can access this fund via a health professional, such as a GP, social worker or Public Health nurse.
We can offer some support in the form of vouchers for those financial necessities, including Wastebusters vouchers, very kindly donated to help locals buy warm clothing and bedding from the Wānaka reuse shop.
If helpful, we can also connect you to additional welfare support, like financial mentors or social workers, or book you an appointment with Financial Mentor Nicole Huddleston, who is now offering free money clinics once a month at the Hub. More on that next week.
