Free Budgeting and Financial Planning Tools & Websites
Sorted.org.nz
Sorted is a free financial guidance website designed to help New Zealanders make informed money decisions. Explore calculators, budgeting tools, KiwiSaver information and practical resources to support your financial wellbeing and future goals.
Visit: www.sorted.org.nz
- 10-Plan Shopping Guide – Download a simple, 10-plan food budget guide for a balanced, healthy diet.
- Spending Record – Download a spending record to keep track of your spending.
- Budget Worksheet – Download this great tool to create your budget and organise your finances.
- Cashflow Sheet – Download this cashflow sheet to see where your money is going and where you can optimise your finances.
- Debt Schedule – Download our debt schedule to keep track of your debts and liabilities.
Community
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a free, independent community organisation that helps people understand their rights, access services, and find practical solutions to everyday problems. CAB provides trusted information and guidance on a wide range of topics including housing, employment, consumer rights, family matters, government services, immigration, and more. Their trained volunteers can help connect you with the right information and support for your situation.
Visit CAB to access free information and advice:
www.cab.org.nz
Community Law Centre
Community Law provides free legal information, advice and assistance to people who may not otherwise be able to access legal support. Their lawyers and advocates can help with a wide range of issues including tenancy, employment, family matters, consumer rights, debt, relationship property, wills, powers of attorney, and disputes. Community Law aims to help people understand their legal rights and responsibilities so they can make informed decisions and access justice.
Visit Community Law for free legal information and support:
www.communitylaw.org.nz
Southland Community Law Centre
Southland Community Law Centre provides free legal information, advice and education to help people understand their rights and navigate legal issues with confidence. Their team can assist with a wide range of matters including tenancy, employment, family law, consumer issues, debt, relationship property, wills, powers of attorney and disputes. They are committed to improving access to justice and supporting people to make informed decisions about their legal matters.
Visit Southland Community Law Centre:
www.southlandcommunitylaw.org.nz
Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission promotes and protects the rights of everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. They provide information, education and support on human rights issues, including discrimination, harassment, equal opportunity, and fair treatment. The Commission can help people understand their rights and, where appropriate, assist with resolving complaints through information, guidance, and mediation services.
Visit the Human Rights Commission:
www.hrc.co.nz
Consumer Protection
Consumer Protection provides free information and guidance to help New Zealanders understand their rights and responsibilities when buying goods and services. Their website offers practical advice on consumer laws, resolving disputes, warranties, refunds, contracts, online shopping, and dealing with traders. Consumer Protection empowers people to make informed decisions and take appropriate steps when things go wrong.
Visit Consumer Protection:
www.consumerprotection.govt.nz
Quitline
Quitline provides free, confidential support to help people stop smoking or vaping. Their trained advisors offer practical advice, encouragement, and personalised quit plans to support individuals on their journey to becoming smokefree. Quitline also provides helpful tools, resources, and information to help people manage cravings, stay motivated, and achieve their goals.
Visit Quitline:
www.quit.org.nz
Financial & Utilities Disputes/Resolution
Utilities Disputes (formerly Electricity & Gas Complaints)
Utilities Disputes is a free and independent service that helps resolve complaints about electricity, gas, broadband, water and other utility services. They provide information, support and dispute resolution services for consumers who have been unable to resolve an issue directly with their utility provider. Their goal is to help achieve fair outcomes through an accessible and impartial process.
Visit Utilities Disputes:
www.utilitiesdisputes.co.nz
Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL)
Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL) is a free and independent dispute resolution service for consumers who have a complaint about a participating financial service provider. FSCL can help resolve issues involving banks, lenders, insurers, financial advisers, and other financial service providers when a complaint cannot be resolved directly. Their service is impartial, confidential, and designed to help consumers and businesses reach fair outcomes.
Visit Financial Services Complaints Ltd:
www.fscl.org.nz
Insolvency and Trustee Service
The Insolvency and Trustee Service (ITS) is a government service that helps people understand and access formal insolvency options when they are unable to repay their debts. ITS administers solutions such as the No Asset Procedure (NAP), Debt Repayment Orders (DRO), and Bankruptcy, and provides information to help people understand the implications of each option. Their resources can help individuals make informed decisions about managing serious debt and rebuilding their financial future.
Visit the Insolvency and Trustee Service:
www.insolvency.govt.nz
Banking Ombudsman
The Banking Ombudsman Scheme is a free and independent service that helps resolve disputes between customers and participating banks. If you have a complaint about a banking product or service and have been unable to resolve it directly with your bank, the Banking Ombudsman can provide information, investigate complaints, and help achieve a fair outcome. Their service is impartial, confidential, and accessible to all banking customers.
Visit the Banking Ombudsman Scheme:
www.bankomb.org.nz
Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO)
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman (IFSO) Scheme is a free and independent dispute resolution service that helps consumers resolve complaints about participating insurers and financial service providers. If you have been unable to resolve a complaint directly with your provider, the IFSO Scheme can investigate concerns and help achieve a fair outcome. Their service is impartial, confidential, and accessible to consumers throughout New Zealand.
Visit the IFSO Scheme:
www.ifso.nz
Canstar
Canstar is an independent comparison and research platform that helps New Zealanders make informed decisions about financial products and services. Through expert ratings, reviews, and comparison tools, Canstar provides information on banking, insurance, KiwiSaver, home loans, credit cards, savings accounts, and other financial products. Their resources can help consumers compare options and choose products that best meet their needs.
Visit Canstar:
www.canstar.co.nz
Government
Work and Income
provides financial assistance, employment support, and access to a range of services for New Zealanders. Their website offers information about benefits, hardship assistance, accommodation support, employment services, and other forms of government assistance.
Visit: www.workandincome.govt.nz
This resource is particularly useful for information about:
- Benefits and income support
- Hardship assistance
- Accommodation Supplement
- Disability Allowance
- Jobseeker Support
- Supported Living Payment
- Emergency assistance
- Employment and training support
Inland Revenue (IRD)
Inland Revenue (IRD) is New Zealand’s government agency responsible for collecting taxes and administering a range of financial support programmes. Their website provides information and services relating to income tax, GST, Working for Families, Child Support, KiwiSaver, student loans, and tax obligations for individuals and businesses. Inland Revenue also offers tools and resources to help people understand their responsibilities and access the support they may be entitled to.
Visit Inland Revenue:
www.ird.govt.nz
Consumer Affairs (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment)
Consumer Affairs helps New Zealanders understand their rights and responsibilities when buying goods and services. Through information, education, and practical resources, Consumer Affairs supports consumers to make informed decisions and navigate issues such as contracts, credit, product safety, fair trading, and consumer guarantees. Their guidance helps promote fair and confident participation in the marketplace.
Visit Consumer Affairs:
www.consumerprotection.govt.nz
Tenancy Services / Tenancy Tribunal
Tenancy Services provides information, guidance and dispute resolution services to help landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities under New Zealand tenancy law. If issues cannot be resolved directly between the parties, the Tenancy Tribunal offers an independent process to hear disputes and make legally binding decisions. Their resources cover topics such as rent, bonds, maintenance, inspections, ending tenancies, and healthy homes standards.
Visit Tenancy Services:
www.tenancy.govt.nz
Invercargill City Council
Provides information and services that support residents, businesses, and the wider community. Their website offers resources on rates, housing, building and planning, animal services, community facilities, rubbish and recycling, and local council services.
Visit: www.icc.govt.nz
This resource is particularly useful for information about:
- Rates and property information
- Building and resource consents
- Housing and community housing
- Dog registration and animal services
- Rubbish and recycling
- Parks, reserves, and community facilities
- Bylaws and regulations
- Local projects and community initiatives
