Debt Help
Money worries? We care. Help is free.
“From debt, bills & not enough for lunches… to a strong place, a happy place.”
Wai & Andre called CAP and everything changed. Now, they’re one of 2,680+ households who’ve said ‘goodbye’ to unmanageable debt.
You can take the pressure off & start thriving again too… Our help is free & confidential. Caring support for as long as you need.
You don’t need to live with debt stress any longer. CAP’s free debt help starts with a phone chat.
9 reasons to choose our friendly CAP team
Unmanageable debt can happen to anyone – we understand! You’re starting to get on top of things, but then the car breaks down and the kids need money for school camp. Now the power bill is overdue. So, you take out a loan (and then another loan…)
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- With CAP Debt Help, you don’t have to leave home – we can come to you.
- We’ll listen to see how we can help you to do the best for you and your whānau.
- Your personal situation and financial info stays confidential.
- A CAP Financial Mentor will tailor a Money Plan for you. It’s our priority to take the pressure off so you’ll always have money for food and essential bills like rent.
- Whānau walking with CAP Debt Help have an extra $104 food budget on average per month.
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- Hate being hassled by debt collectors & creditors? Let them know you’re working with a CAP Financial Mentor and that there’s a Money Plan moving forward… They should stop their stressful letters, calls, TXTs and emails. Phew!
- CAP can negotiate with your creditors and advocate for you. We’ll do our best to get as much interest and unfair fees written off for you as we can.
- What’s important to you/your whānau? A CAP Coach & your Financial Mentor will help you to find the right path out of debt for you.
- We’re here to suppport you to reach your goals and start building a future you’re proud of! We’ll walk alongside you until you’re confident making money decisions — on a path to be free from unmanageable debt.
Taking the first step is easy
Be inspired by these NZers who’ve gone from money chaos to thriving!
How CAP Debt Help works
Is CAP Debt Help near me?
To book an appointment with a Debt Help centre in your area, call the CAP team on 0508 227 111
Northland
Whangarei
Auckland
All of Auckland (with the exception of Kumeu and Franklin areas)
Waikato
Ngāruawāhia
Hamilton
Huntly
Te Awamutu
Taupō
Bay of Plenty
Papamoa
Rotorua
Te Puke
Tauranga
Hawkes Bay
Havelock North
Manawatu
Levin
Wellington
Wellington
Kapiti Coast
Wainuiomata
Tawa
Tasman
Richmond
Nelson
Motueka
Canterbury
Christchurch
Ashburton
Timaru
Can’t find a centre in your area? Call the CAP team on 0508 227 111 as we may still be able to help.
First month, what to expect
Reaching out for help isn't easy - but it's worth it!
Free call 0508 227 111 to find out if you live in an area covered by a CAP Debt Help centre.
We'll kōrero over the the phone to understand your unique situation. There's no judgement – we genuinely want to support and partner with you to relieve your debt stress.
Here's what you can expect in your first 2-4 weeks with CAP...
Set up a home visit – we will come to you!
We can make an appointment for a CAP Coach to visit you (either in the comfort of your own home or at another location of your choosing). Zoom/phone options are also available.
Your first visit is about whakawhanaungatanga/ getting to know each other. You'll meet your local CAP Coach in person. And you'll be introduced to your CAP Financial Mentor, who is available to you throughout your CAP journey.
Together, you, your CAP Coach and your CAP Financial Mentor make up a team of three! And the purpose of this team is to support you to reach your goals.
Let’s start by taking the pressure off
What are the biggest challenges or ‘rocks’ you’re facing right now? Your CAP Coach & CAP Financial Mentor are here to tackle these with you.
As you start out your first 2-4 weeks with CAP, you can choose these options to take the pressure off:
- Check your Work & Income entitlements or repayments — are you getting all the financial support you’re entitled to?
- CAP can explore temporary reductions in your debt repayments if these are causing you stress or hardship
- CAP is here with you to tackle the debt. We can also suggest extra support services outside of CAP that could be available to you also (eg. housing, mental health services, food support).
Your 'NOW budget' + a 'Plan for your money'
What income is currently coming in for you? What costs & debt repayments do you have right now? Together with your CAP Coach, you’ll create a ‘NOW budget’ – a clearer picture of your current financial situation.
After this, we’ll explore options for a new Plan for your money. This Money Plan ensures your priorities and essential needs (like food, rent, housing) are met.
Next 1-3 months, a path out of debt
Finding the right path out of debt
Now the pressure's coming off. So, what can you expect in the next 1-3 months?
Your CAP Coach and CAP Financial Mentor will update your Money Plan. Our aim here is to get on track to achieving what's most important to you or your whānau. Let's join your strengths with ours to start finding the right path out of debt, for you.
It's your journey. Choose as you go.
We'll discuss the options that best suit your situation, which could include:
- Taking a free CAP Money course
- CAP to investigate unfair loans — If your lender gave out your loan irresponsibly, CAP’s team can negotiate with a lender to write-off as much unfair interest or fees as we can, helping you to get out of debt faster!
- Simplified debt payments & savings through CAP — You're on a path to paying back debt using your own income. 🙌 You can choose to stay in control and pay off your debts to creditors directly. Or you could take an option to open a CAP Account... This allows you to start simplified debt payments through CAP with one simple amount to CAP every time you get paid.If you choose this option, CAP will then distribute this money to your creditors on your behalf, at the rate we’ve agreed with them – so you can focus on getting back on your feet. CAP never charges fees for this service – it’s free.
Another way to use a CAP account is to include an amount as savings – setting aside money for your future needs.
- A no-interest loan for essential needs — what if an essential need or life priority comes up that you can’t afford? Avoid high-interest loans… and talk to CAP! We could support you to apply for a no-interest loan through one of CAP's approved partners. Together, let’s weigh-up if this fits the right path out of debt for you.
Start saving. Grow money skills as you work towards your goals!
We want you to be able to start saving. As we update your Money Plan to pay off debt, we'll also work towards savings for your important expenses like a WOF, rego, school fees... and any future needs such as Christmas presents. How good will it be to buy those important things without needing to go into debt?
Dealing with severe debt
If you’re unable to repay your debts your CAP team could explore insolvency options with you. Insolvency is a legal process for someone to clear their debts when they can’t afford to repay them in a reasonable timeframe. We’ll chat through the pros & cons so you can make an informed choice.
Next 3-12 months — a future you're proud of!
Great work on paying off debt!
You’re creating goals and growing money skills along the way. Your CAP Coach & CAP Financial Mentor will keep working with you – updating your Money Plan as life happens!
Your options in the next 3-12 months
With your CAP Coach and CAP Financial Mentor alongside, you're starting to become confident with money decisions. Select from the options below to best suit your needs.
- Savings goals — it’s time to check your savings.
- Get a debt amount reduced or wiped entirely — CAP has experts at our Support Office who can negotiate with your creditors to get great deals on your behalf. If CAP proves a loan was unaffordable from the start, sometimes a creditor will even wipe part of the debt.
- Take a free CAP Money course — Would it help for a family member to learn about spending, budgeting and saving too? Why not invite them along so you can reach your money goals faster!
- Start making payments yourself, instead of through CAP — get into the practice of managing more of your money by making payments yourself, instead of through your CAP Account. This option is a handy way to build up confidence. You can pick this up at the speed that’s right for you — gradual or fast — in conversation with your CAP Coach & CAP Financial Mentor.
- Insolvency options
- Simplified debt payments & savings through CAP — you still have the option to set up a CAP Account for simplified debt repayments and/or savings. With the help of your CAP Financial Mentor and CAP Coach... you decide what this payment covers! Debts? Savings? What would you like CAP to pay or save on your behalf?
You will get FREE support every step of the way
Life can throw you challenges and bring beautiful new chapters. At CAP we aim to shoulder some of the burden so that there's less stress during these transitions.
As circumstances change (such as moving house, having a baby, changing jobs) you’ll be supported by our CAP team until you're free of unmanageable debt — or until you decide you're confident with money decisions —allowing you/your whānau to chart a course towards thriving on your own!
Frequent questions
Is CAP just for Christians?
Whoever you are, whatever you believe – or don’t believe – CAP welcomes you! CAP Debt Help is free for all New Zealanders.
Does your service cost anything?
No, CAP’s services are free! This is possible because of regular donations from New Zealanders, local churches, businesses and charitable trusts, who want to see people and whānau like you go from surviving to thriving.
Will my money lenders and creditors co-operate with CAP?
In most cases, yes. CAP has built relationships with all of the major creditors in New Zealand, allowing CAP to advocate for you!
- In the short term, if your debt is creating stress and hardship, CAP can contact your creditors on your behalf to arrange a temporary reductions to your debt repayments.
- Once the immediate pressure comes off, we can negotiate with the creditor on your behalf, offering creditors repayments based on what you can afford. Of course it’s a priority that you and your family still have enough for you essential needs like food, power and rent.
- CAP can also investigate unfair loans. Your lender may have acted irresponsibly in giving out your loan if they failed to check, (a) if the loan was affordable for you in the first place; or (b) whether the loan was suitable for you/likely to meet your needs. In either case, CAP’s team can negotiate with a lender to write-off unfair interest or fees. This can save you a lot of money in future debt repayments!
Can CAP help if I am self-employed?
If you’re self employed, CAP will not be the best organisation to help you. However, you could get in touch with fincap.org.nz or Debtfix.co.nz who may be able to assist.
How do I make a complaint about CAP’s service?
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our service, you can comment, feedback, or make a formal complaint.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
