Building financial confidence from Blenheim and beyond
Those of us working to improve outcomes for rangatahi know that lasting change is most likely when communities shape the solutions themselves. That’s what we saw recently at the launch of FutureFX in Blenheim, Marlborough, where close to 150 teachers, principals, whānau, local business owners, and community supporters came together, backing a shared vision for their young people.
FutureFX is a coordinated financial education initiative delivered across Marlborough. It combines classroom teaching, real-world learning experiences, professional development for educators, and opportunities for whānau to be involved, all with the aim of building young people’s financial capability and broader life skills.
It is built on a simple belief: young people thrive when they have the confidence, skills and support around them to make good financial decisions and to navigate the world. Starting with each of Marlborough’s thirty schools and aiming to reach all 7,000 young people in the region, the programme blends in-class learning with hands-on experiences, while also supporting whānau to continue money conversations at home.
More than a dozen partners and platforms are involved and working together in a coordinated, multi-year model, with the potential to scale nationally if the approach proves effective.
Why we’re involved
FutureFX’s commitment to reaching every young person in Marlborough, while also supporting the whānau and educators around them, reflects the kind of inclusive, comprehensive, community-centred approach we look for. The programme is also being shaped with care and attention to local context, recognising the importance of cultural relevance and trusted relationships in achieving meaningful outcomes.
The model draws on international evidence about effective financial education, alongside insights from Aotearoa that highlight the importance of place‑based delivery, experiential learning, and sustained engagement with both educators and whānau. We also see real promise in the way the team plans to understand what’s changing for teachers, young people, and families - starting with a picture of where the region is now and tracking shifts over time.
Part of AMPLIFY’s role is to back initiatives that test new models and generate learning for the wider sector. We’re looking forward to working alongside the FutureFX team, supporting robust impact measurement, and sharing what we learn.
A first step towards a bigger picture
We know better financial outcomes for young people won’t come from a single programme or a single funder. It will require many communities coming together in ways that reflect their own strengths, relationships and aspirations.
What we’re seeing in Marlborough is a strong example of that in action - a community aligning around a shared vision for its rangatahi, and taking practical steps to bring that vision to life.
We will be following FutureFX closely, cheering loudly, and hoping that what takes root in Marlborough might one day open similar opportunities for communities across Aotearoa.
Watch this space.
FutureFX was founded by Richard Coon and brought to life by Kelvin Watt and the team. Find out more here.
Images above provided courtesy of Richard Briggs Photography
