Marlborough initiative aims to grow future-ready young people

AMY RUSS

In an increasingly complex world, young people need new tools to thrive. FutureFX, an initiative launching in Marlborough, is specifically designed to help youth build their financial confidence.

“It’s about more than budgeting – it’s about mindset, decision-making and confidence,” Coordinator Kelvin Watt told Marlborough Weekly ahead of a kick-off last week in Blenheim. He recently joined Marlborough Capital with FutureFX in his portfolio.

“Marlborough is an ideal place to pilot this approach because of its strong community connections and collaborative education sector. The goal is to develop a model that can eventually be scaled to other regions across Aotearoa.”

The project is based around four pillars which evidence shows are most effective at building financial capability: Engaging classroom learning with curriculum-aligned tools and resources, experiential enterprising with innovative challenges, enhancing educator capability with professional development, and supporting whānau engagement with workshops, speakers and learning opportunities.

“One key insight is that young people don’t learn about money through one-off lessons – they learn through everyday experiences and the behaviours they see around them,” Kelvin said. “That’s why FutureFX focuses on aligning schools, families and the wider community, and emphasises experiential learning where students apply financial thinking in real-world contexts.”

Recognising that parents, whānau and educators are young people's biggest influences on their financial habits, FutureFX provides engaging learning opportunities for students, practical tools for teachers, and awareness educational sessions to help parents feel more confident having everyday conversations about money.

“Teachers will have access to classroom-ready resources and activities that connect financial capability to real-world learning,” he explained. “FutureFX will also introduce innovative digital tools and experiential opportunities, such as enterprise challenges, that help students build confidence through practical experience.”

Soft launch

The FutureFX team hosted two gatherings to introduce the initiative: a parent/teacher event on 17 March at the Lansdowne Hub and a teachers-only workshop on 18 March. They titled the sessions Raising Money-Smart Kids. Moderator Steph Benseman, Head of Portfolio Services at Icehouse Ventures, hosted the lineup of speakers including Kendall Flutey, Steve Agnew and Sir Ian Taylor.

“The first event was designed to inspire the community by exploring why financial capability matters and what research shows actually works,” Kelvin detailed, “while the educators’ workshop was more practical, giving teachers the chance to explore classroom tools and help shape resources tailored specifically for Marlborough schools.”

Over 150 parents, whānau, supporters and teachers filled the room.

“It is heartening to see the incredible support this initiative has generated in such a short space of time,” he said. “I think it shows that this is an idea whose time has come.

“We know it’s not ‘just money’. The habits and attitudes kids form early can shape confidence, choices, opportunity, and wellbeing for years to come. As a community, we understand and embrace the importance of this.”

Visit www.futurefx.org.nz for more about the programme.