She Bought Her First Home—And Says This Course Made It Possible

3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

For years, Jane Apoiliu Stephen worked hard but lived with financial uncertainty. She didn’t know how much she earned annually. She lived paycheck to paycheck, and though her heart was full of hope, her wallet felt stuck in survival mode.

“I had to ask my boss what my annual salary was. That’s how disconnected I was from my finances.”

Jane is Pasifika, born into a culture rich in love, generosity, and service—but like many in her community, she didn’t grow up learning how to manage money or plan for long-term goals like homeownership. With her father having passed and her mother nearing retirement, Jane carried the quiet burden of not knowing where to start.

The Day a Friend Told Her About Zeducation

Everything changed when a friend told her about the Makatuliki Homeownership Programme, developed by Zeducation—a New Zealand-based provider focused on helping Pasifika families grow through education.

“When I saw it was specifically for Pacific people, I felt seen. That was the moment I knew this wasn’t just another course—it was made for people like me.”

Delivered online over 10 weeks, the programme fit perfectly with Jane’s unpredictable work schedule. But it wasn’t just convenient. It was transformational.

Budgeting, Belief, and Breaking Cycles

In her first week, Jane was asked to complete a spending diary—something she had never done before.

“I’d never tracked my expenses. I didn’t know where my money was going. Just doing that changed the way I thought about everything.”

Jane learned about budgeting, SMART goals, and a simple but powerful tool called the debt snowball method, which helped her pay off her debts faster by tackling the smallest ones first and building momentum.

What started as a course became a movement in her own life—one of purpose, clarity, and confidence.

From Renting to First-Time Homeowner in Aotearoa

Not long after completing the programme, Jane bought her first home—a three-bedroom house in New Zealand.

“I’m the first person in my immediate family to own a home. And I didn’t just do it for me. I did it for my mum.”

Jane’s mum, who’s worked hard her whole life, now has a place to rest when she retires.

“That’s what means the most. Knowing she won’t have to keep working. She has a home now—a home I was able to provide.”

Why Jane’s Story Reflects a Bigger Picture

Jane’s journey is deeply personal—but it’s also a snapshot of what Zeducation set out to achieve with the Makatuliki Homeownership Programme.

The programme equips Pasifika people in New Zealand with culturally relevant, practical tools to make informed financial decisions, get out of debt, and pursue homeownership—something many were told was out of reach.

And it’s working!

📊 The Numbers Behind the Need

The urgency to empower Pacific families like Jane’s is clear:

🏠 Homeownership among Pacific people in New Zealand is just 16.8%, compared to 42.1% of the general population. In 1986, it was over 50% for Pacific peoples. (University of Auckland, 2024)
💸 58% of Pasifika individuals are struggling financially, and 78% experienced financial stress last year. (Retirement Commission, 2023)
🏚 More than 80% of Pasifika households rent, and many live in substandard housing with higher rates of overcrowding, dampness, and mould than national averages. (Census 2023, PMN)

These aren’t just statistics. These are lives—families trying to build better futures.

Why It Matters for All of Us

When a Pasifika woman like Jane becomes a homeowner, she’s not just buying property—she’s breaking cycles.

She’s building stability, dignity, and legacy. She’s caring for her aiga. She’s strengthening her community. She’s showing others what’s possible.

And it all started with Zeducation, a course, and a decision to believe in something better.