ZEDUCATION

Born in Samoa and raised in Aotearoa since 1984, Robert has worked most of his life as a machine operator at Colorcote. He will tell you straight, money used to come in and go out just as fast. Loans, fees, obligations. “Back then I wasn’t educated about money,” he says. “Money come, money go.” After completing Auckland Council's Money Confidence programme with Zeducation , that story changed at home, at work, and inside himself as a husband and father. Here is Robert, in h

Basily Palu shares how simple routines turned into real results. After leadership and money confidence training, he swapped takeaways for home cooking, set a weekly family menu, and saved with purpose. Those choices helped this Fletcher Reinforcing 2IC buy a five bedroom home in Huntly. A practical story of mindset, whānau, and everyday leadership.

Mauora joined the Te Whānau o Waipareira Employment Hub shy and unsure. Through Zeducation’s practical workshops she built confidence, learned time management and real-world budgeting, and stepped outside her comfort zone—gaining the habits and direction to move toward work or further study.

After spotting the Makatuliki programme on Facebook during Covid, widow and sole parent Laila Ah Lam-Tufue enrolled with her niece. The Pacific-focused course helped her cut debt, stabilise her budget and stick to a five-year plan—achieved in four—thanks to pastoral care check-ins. Last week she settled on her first home, proof that small, consistent steps work.

After 39 years at Fulton Hogan, Jim Paul knows the value of hard work. But it was a Zeducation programme tailored for Pacific and Māori workers that opened his eyes to what’s truly possible. By meeting learners where they are, and delivering training with cultural understanding, Jim found his voice — and now uses it to lift others.

We’re proud to share that Project Ikuna’s Future Ready Financial Micro-Credentials  has been recognised internationally, winning Best...

He thought he was just taking a workplace course—until it changed his family’s entire approach to money. How Robert turned one financial literacy programme into a $4,500 savings win for his daughter (and why his story is inspiring employers across NZ).

Makatuliki is more than a financial literacy programme — it’s a movement empowering Pasifika families to break free from financial struggle and take confident steps toward homeownership. Created and led by Zeducation, this culturally grounded initiative has helped 92 individuals improve their financial wellbeing, with 11 becoming first-time homeowners. Through online and in-person delivery, pastoral care, and practical tools, Makatuliki is unleashing intergenerational change

Woxy, a proud Fletcher Reinforcing employee, found his voice through Zeducation’s Future Ready training. From budgeting better to bonding with his daughter, this story shows how workplace learning creates life-changing impact.

Jane didn’t know her annual salary, lived paycheck to paycheck, and had no roadmap for the future. Then she joined Zeducation’s Makatuliki Programme—a 10-week course designed for Pasifika people in New Zealand—and everything changed. Today, she’s debt-free, owns her first home, and has secured a future for her mum. This is more than a success story—it’s proof that the right support can change generations.

Meet John, a QC Assistant at Juralco Aluminium, who took part in Zeducation’s Future-Ready Money Confidence Programme. Through budgeting and saving, he’s creating a brighter, more secure future for his children—one dollar at a time.

Theo and Caitlin’s journey through Zeducation’s Makatuliki Homeownership Programme is a powerful example of what happens when you combine cultural understanding with practical financial tools. Over 10 weeks, they learned to budget, set goals, and shift their mindset—proving that with the right support, Pasifika families can build a strong financial future.

Reflecting on and improving personal finances is essential for financial security, peace of mind, and independence.