The inaugural New Zealand Symposium on Financial Literacy was held in Wellington in 2006.

The symposium explored the importance of financial literacy and looked at what was happening in New Zealand and overseas.

The line-up of speakers included Ron Sandler, Chairman of the United Kingdom's not-for-profit agency pfeg, the UK's main provider of financial education; and Alison O'Connell, former Director of the UK Pensions Policy Unit. 

Our speakers included:

• Ron Sandler
• David Feslier
• Lester Taylor
  
• David Kneebone
• Janine Dowding and Raewyn Fox
• Alison O'Connell
• Gary Hawke
• and the day also included a panel discussion "The financial service sector’s contribution to raising financial literacy"

Ron Sandler - Financial Capability

Ron Sandler addressed what is meant by 'financial capability' and why it is deemed important. His speech considered the costs and benefits of financial capability, how it may be measured and the role of government and schools.

• View a copy of Ron Sandler's presentation.
• View Ron Sandler's presentation video.
  

David Feslier - Financial education lessons for New Zealand

David Feslier's speech looked at what is happening with financial education in other parts of the world.

• View a copy of David Feslier's presentation.

Lester Taylor and Donna Dentice - Financial education in schools

Lester Taylor, former Chief Executive of the Dunedin College of Education, and consultant; and Donna Dentice, Chief Executive of Enterprise New Zealand Trust, discussed lifting the financial literacy of our nation's children and financial education in schools.

• View a copy of Lester Taylor and Donna Dentice's presentation.

David Kneebone - Financial education in the workplace

David Kneebone, Project Manager for Workplace Financial Education, Retirement Commission, presented information on strategies, programmes and opportunities for financial education and the role of the workplace.

• View a copy of David Kneebone's presentation.

Janine Dowding and Raewyn Fox - Financial education in the community

Janine Dowding, Nelson Regional Commissioner, Work and Income; and Raewyn Fox, Chief Executive of the NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services, presented on the issues and challenges for delivering financial education in the community.

• View Janine Dowding and Raewyn Fox's presentation video.
• View a copy of Janine Dowding and Raewyn Fox's presentation.

Alison O'Connell - Measurement and effectiveness

Alison O'Connell, former Director of the UK Pensions Policy Unit, presented on the measurement and effectiveness of financial education.

• View Alison O'Connell's presentation video.
• View a copy of Alison O'Connell's presentation.

Professor Gary Hawke - Concluding remarks

Professor Gary Hawke, Head, School of Government, Victoria University, provided the closing remarks for the day.

• View a copy of Professor Hawke's remarks.