What started with a vision to teach one student about money and financial literacy, led to the conception of Banqer. An organisation who are on a mission to prepare the next generation for their financial future. Believing that everyone should have access to a quality, engaging, effective financial education that sets them up for financial success – whatever that means to them.
Almost 10 years down the track, Banqer has taken it one step further and is teaching the next generation about charitable giving in a simulated virtual economy which the company then turns into real-life donations for charity, and Heart Kids NZ was lucky enough to be a recipient of this giving in 2023.
As a company of passionate individuals – rooted to their mission, the Banqer team lives and breathes financial literacy. We met with Angela, their Relationship Manager, to hear more about the platform and were blown away by what they offer.
With the support of their champion partner Kiwibank, Banqer is available to all schools across Aotearoa. With Kiwibank making it free for primary schools and subsidised for high schools in New Zealand to access, this ensures that cost is no barrier to helping the next generation with their financial future.
Students are encouraged to make real-life financial decisions on the platform from getting a job, creating a budget, investing in shares, learning about KiwiSaver and participating in charitable giving.
We asked Angela how Heart Kids NZ became lucky enough to be a noted charity on their website and were humbled to find that it was a student-led decision.
Students on the platform were asked which charities they would like to support in their simulated world and the nomination from one child for Heart Kids NZ, which included some of the following examples of the support they had received from the charity, was too hard for the team at Banqer to turn down,
“I would like the charity “Heart Kids NZ” to be included because when I was going up to Auckland to have my open-heart surgery, Heart Kids NZ paid for my flights. After I had my open-heart surgery, they flew us back down…They also hold camps for heart kids…In conclusion, Heart Kids NZ is an amazing charity, and one I would like to see on Banqer.”
Throughout the year students make fictitious donations to their chosen charity on the platform and at the end of the year, Banqer makes a real-life financial donation to the three charities on the platform.
As a humble grassroots business based in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Aotearoa whose values align with ours – empowering and educating rangatahi – we are honoured to receive support from Banqer.
You can learn more about the work Banqer does by visiting their website: www.banqer.co/nz
