21 Mar 2013

Family budgeting service reaches out to Maori

6:32 am on 21 March 2013

The Federation of Family Budgeting Services wants to work with more Maori organisations and get their advice on how to deal with a growing list of Maori clients.

It says it already has a good association with Ngai Tahu and the Urban Maori Authority and has spent time training its own staff to be more culturally sensitive.

Latest figures show Maori now make up 43% of their clientele.

Chief executive Raewyn Fox says the federation wants to get involved with more iwi organisations to find out the best way to work with Maori clients.

She says the federation's main purpose is to make sure everybody in New Zealand gets quality budgeting advice and support to improve their financial situation.

Ms Fox says her organisation has also been working with the Salvation Army, and has learned from its approach to Maori.