Record numbers gather to talk money

Media release13 June 2013
Record numbers gather to talk money

Investor education and financial education in workplaces will be key themes for discussion by international experts and over 300 delegates at New Zealand’s largest-ever Financial Literacy Summit in Auckland on Friday.

Interim Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell says the record attendance would be matched by the diversity of attendees.

“It shows what an important topic financial literacy has become in recent years. Participants are coming from organisations that touch every part of our society - not-for-profit groups, educators, regulators, policy makers, academics and the finance sector,” she says.

The 2013 Financial Literacy Summit is hosted by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income, which is headed by the Retirement Commissioner.

International keynote speakers Gerri Walsh, from the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and Air Commodore Robert Brown from the Australian Defence force will offer insights on the key themes.

Ms Maxwell says both speakers are world leaders in their specialist areas.

“Geri Walsh is responsible for developing FINRA’s investor education programme and has vast experience in working with underinvested groups such as young adults and women. Air Commodore Brown will talk about the Australian Defence Force’s pioneering workplace programme that incorporates financial education into their everyday operations,” she says.

The Governor-General, Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae will open the Summit, and Ms Maxwell says he will release the results of a major financial behaviour and knowledge survey.

“The Financial Knowledge and Behaviour Survey is a major three-yearly study that shows us if we’re becoming more financially literate as a nation. This year’s Survey will also show us how we rank internationally for the first time,” she says.

For more information about the Summit visit http://www.cflri.org.nz/financial-literacy/summits/2013-summit .

ENDS

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