Death is a topic that makes many people uncomfortable, but it is a reality none of us can avoid – not even the royal family.

There’s plenty of advice about preparing wills to pass on your assets to whoever you choose when you die, but when you are more likely to have debts than dollars – what happens?

Will your partner or children have to pay off your debts, or do the debts disappear?

Since 2019, the total number of applications for bankruptcy in New Zealand have decreased, as have the number of bankruptcy judgments approved by the courts.

The Debtfix Crew is stoked to hear the good news, but we know our work is not yet done.

There are different thoughts about why the number of bankruptcies has decreased, mainly focused on the money distributed to businesses to minimise the fallout from Covid restrictions.

When Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Courts visited the Crew at Debtfix it was acknowledged Pasifika communities need more knowledge about money and debt.

On Friday 27 May, Sio met with Debtfix co-founder and director, Christine Liggins, to discuss two specific actions that could improve outcomes for people overwhelmed by debt.

“We would like a system that stops Pacific people from relying on predatory lenders who take advantage of them in their vulnerable situations when they need money to support family,” Liggins says.