18 Dec, 2025
From Crisis to Confidence
In our last newsletter, we shared how The Fono's Building Financial Capabilities team supports families facing financial stress. Now, we hear from Mele, a mother who knows firsthand the difference this service can make.
When Mele first heard about The Fono's financial mentoring service from a friend, she was at breaking point. Her husband was waiting on visa approval, her mum had recently passed away, and she was struggling to keep her head above water while caring for her children.
That first phone call to The Fono led to a meeting with Vaine, one of the BFC team's financial mentors. Sitting in Mele's home, Vaine didn't rush through a budget template or lecture about spending. Instead, she listened.
"We talked about everything," Mele recalls. "My situation, what I was struggling with, what help I needed." Together, they worked through the reality of Mele's finances, creating her very first budget and identifying where support was available.
What stood out most to Mele wasn't just the practical help, though that was vital. It was Vaine's reliability and responsiveness. "Every time I asked for help, she responded as soon as possible," Mele says. "Every week, she'd ring and ask how I was going."
This consistent support became a lifeline. Vaine helped Mele access food parcels, sorted out bus cards so the kids could get to school, and even helped with her husband's visa costs. But more than that, she taught Mele skills that are changing her family's future.
"Before Vaine, I didn't know all the bills," Mele admits. Learning to budget, to plan, to understand where her money was going, these weren't just accounting exercises. They were steps towards independence and stability.
The changes have been profound. Mele, who came to New Zealand from Tonga in 2008, studied Level 1 & 2 English before completing a course in business at Te Wananga. Her husband has his visa and they're building their own business, with a plan to employ others from their community.
"This service changed my life," Mele says with conviction. "It changed a lot."
She's also connected with The Fono's Dental Care service, the first time she'd accessed any support beyond the financial mentoring. Now, when challenges arise, she knows where to turn.
Looking back at those difficult months, Mele is grateful she made that first call. "I think it was the right choice for me to meet with The Fono's services. They helped me a lot."
Her story illustrates what Anna Mwaijumba, the BFC Team Leader, described in our previous article. Financial mentoring isn't just about balancing budgets. It's about meeting families in crisis with dignity, patience, and practical support that addresses their whole situation, not just the numbers on a page.
For Mele, that approach made all the difference. From struggling to feed her kids to running a business that employs others, her journey shows what's possible when families get the right support at the right time.
The Fono's Building Financial Capabilities service is free and available across West Auckland, Central Auckland, South Auckland, and North Shore. Families can self-refer by calling 0800 366 648 or visiting thefono.org. The team responds to all referrals within 48 hours.
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