Welcome to the story of CAP in Aotearoa...
How do you love your neighbours?
Christians Against Poverty NZ began with a prayerful answer to this question.
Emma
Living in a garage with her son, Emma said “Things were helpless— and that made me stay awake at night. I’d lost myself under mounds of debt.”
Chanel
Chanel described “Dead debts… Living on the line, turning heating off … My kids were like ‘Oh mum, it’s cold!’”
Mark & Carol
For Mark & Carol, money arguments led to resentment. “Our kids needed shoes, clothes. We needed to do something, otherwise the marriage is over.”
Emma
Living in a garage with her son, Emma said “Things were helpless— and that made me stay awake at night. I’d lost myself under mounds of debt.”
Chanel
Chanel described “Dead debts… Living on the line, turning heating off … My kids were like ‘Oh mum, it’s cold!’”
Mark & Carol
For Mark & Carol, money arguments led to resentment. “Our kids needed shoes, clothes. We needed to do something, otherwise the marriage is over.”
In 2007, Heather and Gareth Jones arrived in Aotearoa. They had four local contacts and scarcely enough money to cover two months’ expenses. However, they were armed with experience. They had spent the previous ten years serving people living in unmanageable debt and poverty at CAP UK. Faith-filled, they believed God would go before them and make a way.
Heather and Gareth met with compassionate local Pastors who could plainly see the needs in their neighbourhoods. Partnerships formed. With these churches’ wisdom and insight combined, CAP UK’s poverty alleviation service model was adapted to a New Zealand context.
Within two months, two local churches were visiting the homes of 25 clients – providing life-changing help to neighbours like Emma, Chanel, Mark & Carol.
Emma
“That first phone call , CAP prayed with me. You’re not alone anymore… After I went debt free, I did a crazy dance!! Now, I get to be a mum.”
Chanel
“God brought peace to my past, to the present, and hope for my future. It’s a generational thing! Teaching my kids money wisdom.”
Mark & Carol
“Our marriage? Much stronger since we committed to God. Now, there’s no greater feeling on earth than saying ‘YES!’ to our kids.”
Emma
“That first phone call , CAP prayed with me. You’re not alone anymore… After I went debt free, I did a crazy dance!! Now, I get to be a mum.”
Chanel
“God brought peace to my past, to the present, and hope for my future. It’s a generational thing! Teaching my kids money wisdom.”
Mark & Carol
“Our marriage? Much stronger since we committed to God. Now, there’s no greater feeling on earth than saying ‘YES!’ to our kids.”
The story of Christians Against Poverty in Aotearaoa continues to be written… Order your FREE copy of the book, This is My Story
Chanel & 12 other CAP clients share their stories from money chaos to freedom
CAP’s impact in Aotearoa
From those small seeds, CAP NZ’s reach now extends from Whangarei to Tīmaru… Thirty-five church partners are running Debt Help & 101 local churches run CAP Money courses in their communities – bringing generational impact!
New Zealanders have gone from hardship to living debt free!
million dollars in unmanageable debt and bills repaid or written off
%
people using CAP Debt Help say it's 'life-transforming' or 'a great help'
%
Debt Help clients say “it’s easier to provide for my kids”
Every week, CAP walks alongside 500+ households on their journeys from money chaos to thriving… Why not watch their inspiring testimonies?
Meeting the complex needs in local communities
Whāia te iti kahurangi
Seek the treasure you value most dearly
Like you, Christians Against Poverty aligns with Jesus’ invitational posture, “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Unmanageable debt impacts more than just material hardship. It also affects taha whānau (family relationships), taha hinengaro (mental & emotional health), taha tinana (physical health), and taha wairua (spiritual health). That’s why CAP’s long-term practical help takes a whole-of-person approach, including sharing that there is a God who loves and values every one of us.
Whoever you are, whatever you believe – or don’t believe – you are welcome here. Nau mai.
Fast-forward to 2026 and today, CAP partners with clients like Mel to find the right path out of debt – pursuing their whānau vision for the future!
Your support, together with CAP’s centralised financial expertise and the caring support of a local church enables life-changing free help.
As money chaos eases, whānau like Mel can pursue what’s most important to them. And doors open to start strengthening their relationships with money, themselves, others & God.
Get your FREE copy of ‘This is my story’
Chanel & 12 other NZers share their CAP journeys from money chaos to freedom.
