Young people in New Zealand are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis, the latest Financial Services Council NZ (FSC) research shows.

This interactive discussion will delve into how young people are thinking and feeling in the current economic climate. We’ll bring in young peoples’ perspectives, look at what the latest research says, and have a conversation about how all of us can better support our young people who are the future of Aotearoa.

SPEAKERS

Dr. Ayesha Scott

Deputy Director at Auckland Centre for Financial Research & Senior Lecturer at AUT Business School

Ayesha is an interdisciplinary researcher, with an agenda that spans violence against women, empirical finance, personal finance and financial econometrics. Passionate about healthy financial relationships and an advocate against economic harm in intimate relationships, Ayesha has partnered with charitable trust Good Shepherd NZ to promote financial and relationship wellbeing for all Kiwis. Her work (particularly on KiwiSaver and personal finance) has generated media interest within Aotearoa New Zealand, and you will find her commentary in outlets such as the NZ Herald and stuff.co.nz.

Ayesha joined the AUT Business School, Finance Department in October 2016. She obtained her PhD in Financial Econometrics in July 2016 from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia, and has undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Finance.

Her research, teaching, and professional interests focus on improving New Zealanders’ understanding of healthy financial relationships and their personal financial fitness. Specifically:

• Financial violence/abuse, economic harm and healthy financial relationships
• Women and finance/money
• Financial capability and education
• KiwiSaver
• Optimal investor decision making.

Sabby Jey

Business owner, actress, model, TV personality and content creator

Sabby Jey is a Kiwi born Sri Lankan business owner, trained actress and model and TV personality and content creator. She has a Bachelor of Business majoring in International Business and Finance from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and is fluent in English and Tamil.

Her acting career launched in 2018 when she debuted in Karthikeyanum Kaanamal Pona Kadhileyumin, a Kollywood film released into Tamil cinema. She was later signed by Gail Cowan management. Since this time she has starred in two international films, one international documentary and guest starred on a TV series. In New Zealand Sabby was a contestant on The Bachelor New Zealand season three and in 2022 was one of the lead cast in Ex Best thing on TV2, where she affirmed her bisexuality.

What sets Sabby apart is her tireless advocacy for inclusivity, celebrating diversity and empowerment. As a woman of colour, Sabby has experienced firsthand the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the industry and she has made it her mission to advocate for greater representation behind the scenes and to create a more diverse and welcoming environment, to those coming through.

The commitment to inclusivity is evident in all aspects of Sabby’s work. As an actress, she has sought out roles that could equally challenge traditional stereotypes and showcase the complexity and richness of diverse experiences. Sabby has also used her platform as a model to promote body positivity and to highlight the beauty of all skin tones, sizes shapes, and skin tones.

She has also challenged colourism, a bias where fair skin tones are preferred over darker skin tones in the modelling and acting industry. Sabby is also an advocate for greater representation behind the scenes, promoting/advocating for diverse and inclusive lenses over marketing and advertising agencies when selecting their creative talent. This has seen her proactively meet and be welcome to discuss with PR agencies an initiative she will further pursue later in 2023.

Stephen Upton

Chief Operating Officer, Kernel Wealth

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Kernel Wealth, Stephen is responsible for investment operations, product, risk and business operations. With 10 years international experience and having completed an MBA at the University of Cambridge UK, Stephen returned to NZ in 2015 and became COO of a large NZ index fund manager and senior manager for 6 Managed Investment Schemes.

Richard Klipin

CEO, Financial Services Council New Zealand

Richard is the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services Council – New Zealand. He has extensive experience in leading and transforming Industry Associations, Life Insurance manufacturers and Financial Advice businesses, having held senior leadership roles in all sectors over the past 16 years. Organisations include Sovereign Assurance, ANZ Banking Group, Association of Financial Advisers and ING Richard is known as a community builder, skillfully engaging and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders to create common purpose, connection and enable collaboration.

Richard holds an MBA from the Macquarie Graduate School of Management, a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education from Macquarie University and recently completed the Denison Miller Senior Executive leadership program as well as the innovative ‘Rethinking Leadership’ program with the Hunger Project in India.