News & Insights
$248m of social value created through fairer debt management
Jun 22, 2026 | Written by: DebtManagers Media
New research shows DebtManagers’ unique customer-centred approach to arrears management is creating nearly $250 million of social value for New Zealand, representing a social return on investment of $12.60 for every dollar invested.
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Latest Articles
Bring Your Bills Press Release
Aug 20, 2026 | Written by: Mangere Budgeting Services Trust
New Zealand's first Bring Your Bills event comes to South Auckland, with the event being held at the Ōtāhuhu Town Hall on August 26th. The event is a partnership between Māngere Budgeting Services Trust and DebtManagers.
News
Debt builds lives, but six in ten New Zealanders struggle
Mar 23, 2026 | Written by: DebtManagers Media
New research launched for New Zealand’s first Debt Awareness Week shows debt is an important enabler, but stress, shame, and silence remain widespread
News
New study of financial mentors shows pressures deepening on New Zealanders and the sector
Dec 03, 2025 | Written by: DebtManagers Media
DebtManagers and independent research agency TRA have released a new report, Towards a fairer financial world, capturing frontline perspectives from financial mentors and other financial capability practitioners nationwide.
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News
ImpactLab FY24: $10.30 back for every $1 – and it’s growing
Aug 06, 2025 | Written by: Isaac Manase
Independent ImpactLab analysis shows that in FY24 (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024) we created $160m in lifetime social value, delivering a social return of $1:$10.30 to New Zealanders. Most value is created in Health (67%) and Income, consumption & wealth (32%), reflecting outcomes like improved me…
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AUT 2025: Working with DebtManagers lifts wellbeing – mental health, control, and behaviour
Aug 12, 2025 | Written by: Kieran Stott
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Insights
Empathetic Debt Management: Our Customer Journey in New Zealand
Aug 27, 2025 | Written by: Kieran Stott
We help people resolve debt through a three-step journey: self-service tools, support from our phone team, and face-to-face community visits across New Zealand, which is our most trusted customer channel. We check for vulnerability, tailor fair and sustainable arrangements, and consider debt relief …
Insights
How to better handle bad debt
Jul 07, 2025 | Written by: Kieran Stott
Bad debt—what we call “difficult debt”—is best handled with a customer-centred, compliant approach: confirm affordability up front with responsible lending, keep credit policies current, invoice promptly and follow up consistently, monitor receivables to act before accounts deteriorate, offer flexib…
Insights
Can’t Pay vs Won’t Pay: Why It Matters in Debt Recovery
Jun 25, 2025 | Written by: Kieran Stott
In New Zealand, the crucial difference between can’t pay and won’t pay is intent and capacity: many people fall behind after life events and, with time and support, can realistically get back on their feet, while a smaller group refuses to engage despite having means. Treating both the same creates …
Insights
Opinion
Are clearer bad debt guidelines overdue?
Jul 21, 2025 | Written by: Isaac Manase
Short answer: Yes. New Zealand’s arrears management rules are inconsistent across sectors. New Zealand should adopt clear, enforceable, nationwide guidelines—aligned with Australia/United Kingdom—covering fees & interest, hardship and vulnerability checks, contact conduct, licensing, and a time-…
Opinion
New Zealand guide to selling bad debt.
Jul 17, 2025 | Written by: Nik Santamaria
If your New Zealand receivables are about 90–365 days since the last payment, it’s time to weigh a sale to a debt purchaser—which converts uncertain recoveries into cash today and can support customer rehabilitation—against contingent collection, which suits teams that want to keep ownership and pay…
Opinion