Life Education Trust backs new financial education guides

Cover image of Implenting Financial Education Guide for Schools Life Education Trust has welcomed the release of new Financial Education Implementation Guides from Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, saying they will help schools bring money learning to life for young New Zealanders.

 

The new guides give schools and providers practical support to plan and deliver financial education as it becomes compulsory in the curriculum. The guides have been developed with the Ministry of Education and financial education providers and include a roadmap showing what to teach from Years 0 to 13.

Life Education Trust Chief Executive Mark Weatherall, who was part of the review committee, says the guides are a major step forward.

“We see students gain so much confidence by learning about money. This new guide will help us align our programmes to the new curriculum, support teachers, and ensure young New Zealanders receive well-rounded wellbeing education.”

Three young actors performing the SMART$ programme Life Education delivers the SMART$ financial education programme, which combines live theatre-in-education performances, school workshops, and online learning modules. The programme explores everyday financial decisions facing young people, including budgeting, saving, credit cards, KiwiSaver, and deferred payment schemes such as Afterpay.

In 2025, SMART$ reached 55 secondary schools and more than 8,000 rangatahi. Since launching in 2020, more than 55,000 students have participated. The programme and set of complementary online resources are provided free to schools thanks to funding from PMG Charitable Trust and community organisations.

Feedback from 2025 shows 77% of students said SMART$ was a good way to learn about everyday money choices, while 92% of teachers said the programme was directly relevant to their students’ lives.

Financial Education Guide for Schools
SMART$ online learning modules