Skip Content
Reuben-Raquel-CMM

For Reuben and Raquel Warren, overcoming the fear to face their finances is literally paying off.

The husband and wife team, like most hard-working New Zealanders, had taken on debt but were living comfortably within their two-income means.

However, this changed when a debilitating illness affected Raquel's ability to keep her job as a kitchen designer.

"I couldn't work anymore so we lost a wage," Raquel explains.

Reduced to one income to support themselves and their four children, Raquel enrolled on the Certificate in Money Management programme at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to confront this new reality.

She got so much out of the first class she wanted Reuben to come too.

"I told my kaiako and he said, 'bring him along,' so I did and he loved it."

Reuben says it was a helpful and informative programme.

"It's definitely been worthwhile. I would, and have, recommended this course to others struggling to make ends meet."

Reuben works as the retail manager of a timber yard and says as well as learning techniques to manage their limited income, he can now give sound financial advice to their kids too.

Raquel says the most valuable thing she learned was how to deal with creditors.

"Just by increasing our repayments by an extra $5, our debts started to reduce, which was great. We thought we'd never see that happen but it has, thanks to our kaiako Simon."

Along with advice on servicing debt, Raquel says Simon went above and beyond. When there were times she was too unwell to go to class, Simon would come to her to discuss assignments or go over of the course material, all in his own time.

"The support we received, it was just amazing. Everyone would benefit from at least one aspect of this course. Knowledge is power."

 Back to news & events

Published On: 24 May, 2017

Article By:



Other Articles

  • 23 May 2023

    Dyslexia was no barrier for wānanga student

    Small business owner, Kawhena Rangihaeata Puha, overcame her struggles with dyslexia to complete the Level 4 Certificate in Small Business last year at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

  • 17 May 2023

    Multiple sclerosis diagnosis leads to rongoā Māori studies

    After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 19, Arron Learmond began a journey of learning, researching and experimenting with herbal medicine and rongoā Māori.

  • 16 May 2023

    Representing tāne in the weaving classroom

    Weku Kereopa may have been the only tāne (male) in his raranga (weaving) class but that didn’t deter him from completing the Diploma in Māori and Indigenous Art.

  • 15 May 2023

    Wānanga programme helps young mum gain employment

    After completing the Certificate in Tākaro, Sport and Exercise at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Ellerose Vanderaa secured a job as assistant manager at Jetts Fitness in Whakatāne.