Debt, credit and the cost of living crisis

New Zealanders are facing enormous financial challenges right now, with Centrix's data indicating that arrears are on the rise.

11.9% of Kiwis are in arrears as of April 2023, a worrying trend that is supported by early data from our 2023 Financial Resilience Index that the country is doing it tough.

What can the insights tell us about how the first quarter of 2023 has impacted New Zealanders? How can we as an industry help get them out of debt and back on track?

Speakers 

Christine Liggins
CEO and Co-Founder, Debtfix

Christine is CEO and Co-founder Debtfix. She is a debt solution expert,  financial literacy tutor, a Debt Repayment Order supervisor appointed by the Official Assignee, and a trustee of creditors proposals, working with the courts. She is also a RITANZ Insolvency Practitioner licensed by New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Christine moved to New Zealand from the UK in 2004 and is highly respected in in the financial capability sector. Her aim: to put YOU IN CONTROL of your money!

Monika Lacey
Chief Operating Officer, Centrix

Monika Lacey has many years of experience in the credit risk sector, and is the Chief Operating Officer at Centrix, New Zealand’s locally owned credit bureau. After building a career with Australian-owned companies, she joined Centrix to support a 100% NZ focused business, helping all kiwi’s make better informed credit decisions.  

Richard Klipin
CEO, Financial Services Council

Richard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Council – New Zealand. He has extensive experience in leading and transforming Industry Associations, Life Insurance manufacturers and Financial Advice businesses, having held senior leadership roles in all sectors over the past 16 years. Organisations include Sovereign Assurance, ANZ Banking Group, Association of Financial Advisers and ING Richard is known as a community builder, skilfully engaging and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders to create common purpose, connection and enable collaboration.

Richard holds an MBA from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education from Macquarie University and recently completed the Denison Miller Senior Executive leadership program as well as the innovative ‘Rethinking Leadership’ program with the Hunger Project in India.