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

  • 02 April 2025

    Following the footsteps of her māmā: Haani Huata-Allen's path to PhD

    Follow the inspiring journey of Haani Huata-Allen, inaugural recipient of the Te Manawahoukura Residency at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Learn how this groundbreaking residency supports kaimahi in their Rangahau projects, allowing Haani to focus on her PhD in Reo Revitalisation through Kapa Haka. Discover the impact of Indigenous research and the importance of continuing education inspired by her mother, Dr Te Rita Papesch.

  • 27 March 2025

    A whakairo journey shaped by art and community

    Murray ‘Muzz’ Green (Te Kanawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Whatakaraka, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Te Kiriwai, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Ngutū, Whānau-a-Apanui and Ngāti Porou) left school at 15 when he realised conventional education wasn’t for him.

  • 20 March 2025

    Nāwai i tauira, kua kaiako

    Ahakoa he rerekē noa atu te ao i tipu ake ai a Rob Bromley i tāna e mōhio nei i tēnei rā, nō te ohinga ake, ka rongo ia i tētahi hao ki te reo Māori.

  • 10 March 2025

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa recognised as leader in Māori HR

    Te Wānanga o Aotearoa was awarded the prestigious Mana Tangata Award at the 2025 NZ HR Excellence Awards on Thursday 27 February in Tāmaki Makaurau.