Recently I had the privilege of joining Melissa Chan-Green on the School Shorts Podcast to talk about financial education in schools. With financial literacy becoming a core part of New Zealand’s upcoming Social Sciences curriculum refresh, it was a timely conversation about what this means for our rangatahi, and how parents and teachers can play a part in setting them up for a successful financial future.
At Banqer, we’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes when students are empowered with the knowledge and confidence to navigate money matters. Here are some of the key ideas I shared in our discussion.
The State of Financial Literacy in New Zealand
When it comes to financial literacy, New Zealand has some work to do. Although we don’t currently participate in the financial literacy component of OECD’s PISA assessment, which assesses students from around the globe, adult surveys show we sit somewhere in the middle of the global pack. That means we’re not the worst, but we’re far from leading. Even more concerning is that research suggests financial knowledge is declining, and this is disproportionately affecting women and minority groups.
Personal finance has also become more complex. With more products, services, and financial decisions available than ever before, the challenges facing today’s young people are greater than those faced by previous generations. That’s why embedding financial education in schools is so important.
The Banqer Story
Banqer began almost ten years ago with a conversation. Our co-founder Kendall was chatting with her younger brother, Jordy, who at the time was more interested in John Cena and professional wrestling than money. But on that day, he surprised her by talking about KiwiSaver, taxes, and hiring people.
It turned out his teacher was running a classroom economy. Kendall was struck by how powerful this was. Her brother was learning financial concepts that would serve him for life, lessons that no one else had taught him. That spark led to the creation of Banqer, and today, we’ve reached over 600,000 students across Australasia, thanks in large part to our Champion Partners, Kiwibank in New Zealand and Netwealth in Australia
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Why Curriculum Change Matters
Until now, financial education has appeared in the curriculum only as a “cross-curricular theme.” That meant it could be integrated into subjects like maths or social studies, but it was never compulsory. In practice, that left financial education to chance. Some passionate teachers embraced it, but many students missed out. By embedding financial literacy more formally in the curriculum, we’re ensuring every student leaves school with the tools to manage money.
This change has the potential to transform not only individual lives but also our economy. We know financial education increases savings, improves engagement with credit and loans, and boosts participation in retirement savings. Because most KiwiSaver funds are invested locally, stronger engagement with saving also means more capital flowing into New Zealand businesses.
Supporting Teachers and Parents
Of course, change brings challenges. Some teachers worry about losing autonomy over how they teach financial education, while others feel anxious about delivering a subject they themselves may not feel confident in. My message to teachers is this: you don’t need to be a financial guru. Think of yourself as a facilitator. Explore the concepts alongside your students. It’s okay to be learning together.
Parents also play a vital role. While many believe money lessons should happen at home, not every parent feels equipped or has the time. By teaching financial literacy in schools, we ensure all students get access to this knowledge, helping to break cycles of intergenerational financial disadvantage.
At the same time, the classroom can be a catalyst for kitchen table conversations. We often hear from parents whose children come home excited to share what they’ve learned in Banqer, sparking meaningful discussions about saving, budgeting, and money habits.
When to Start Talking About Money
The earlier, the better. Research shows children as young as three can begin to grasp basic money habits, and by age seven, financial behaviours start to set in. That doesn’t mean teaching a preschooler about investment portfolios, but it does mean playing shops, counting coins, or talking about wants versus needs.
As children grow, their lessons should grow with them. Early primary years might focus on recognising coins and notes, making change, and learning the value of saving. Intermediate students can explore bank accounts, interest, and budgeting. By secondary school, it’s time to tackle more complex topics like debt, loans, and investing.
Real-World Impact
The results we’ve seen in schools are inspiring. After using Banqer, 12% more students report feeling good or great with money, and students who didn’t previously consider KiwiSaver (Superannuation) now plan to open an account in the future. Beyond the data, the stories keep us motivated.
I’ll never forget the student who ran a loan shark operation in a Banqer classroom economy. While it may sound dubious, it sparked an unforgettable lesson about the dangers of high-interest lending...for both him and his classmates! Or the teacher who tricked students with a phishing email to teach them about online scams.
More recently, a former student told her teacher that what she learned through Banqer helped her save toward a house deposit. Stories like these show that when financial education is practical and relatable, it sticks.
How to Get Involved
If this conversation has you thinking about how to bring more financial education into your school community, there are a few easy ways to get started.
In primary schools
Thanks to the support of our Champion Partners, Banqer Primary is freely available to schools on both sides of the Tasman. In New Zealand, Kiwibank enables primary and intermediate teachers (Years 1–8) to access the program at no cost, while in Australia, Netwealth provides the same opportunity for primary teachers (Years 1–6). It’s a simple way to bring money lessons to life through a classroom economy, helping younger students learn about earning, saving, and spending in a way that feels real and fun.
In junior secondary school
Banqer High Junior builds on those early foundations, helping students in Years 9–11 in New Zealand and Years 7–10 in Australia explore real‑world money decisions as they become more independent. They’ll get the chance to tackle scenarios involving budgeting, saving, and everyday financial choices that prepare them for what’s ahead.
In senior secondary school
Banqer High Senior helps students in Years 11–13 in New Zealand and Years 10–12 in Australia prepare for life after school. It covers the big financial decisions they’ll face, from understanding loans and KiwiSaver/Superannuation to getting to grips with insurance and investing, it helps them build the confidence to make smart choices as they step into adulthood.
For parents
Parents play a powerful role in encouraging financial learning. If you’d like to see Banqer in your child’s school, you can share our website with their teacher to explore Banqer’s programs OR use the referral links at the bottom of our Kiwibank partnership page (NZ) or Netwealth partnership page (AU) to connect them directly.
This article is adapted from my recent conversation with Melissa Chan-Green on the School Shorts Podcast. I'd like to thank Melissa for inviting me to share Banqer’s story and to talk about why financial education matters now more than ever. Give it a listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow @schoolshortsnz on social media.
