Debtfix

What Debtfix does

The Debtfix Foundation (CC59109) is a New Zealand-registered charity that provides free, confidential debt management and insolvency advisory services to individual New Zealanders experiencing problem debt. The organization operates from Orewa and Warkworth in New Zealand with a small team (1–10 employees) holding over 40 years of combined debt-solutions experience, led by co-founder and director Christine Liggins. Debtfix was the first organization to introduce Creditor Proposals in New Zealand and has developed Shipshape, a proprietary alternative debt solution. The full product suite includes Debt Repayment Orders, Debt Management Plans, Informal Agreements with Creditors, Simply Budget, No Asset Procedures, Hardship Applications, Microfinance, Debt Consolidation Loans, and Bankruptcy guidance — delivered as human-led advisory via a freephone helpline (0800 3328 101), email, and a self-service website questionnaire.

The operating entity transitioned from Debtfix Limited to The Debtfix Foundation on August 1, 2022, when the Foundation acquired the predecessor's business and assets. Under the new structure, Debtfix is regulated under the Charities Act 2005, holds Financial Service Provider registration (FSP1003485) for client money handling, and is a member of the Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL8903) dispute resolution scheme. The business model is non-profit: services are free to clients at the point of entry, with revenue derived from creditor commissions on Debt Management Plans and fees associated with the registered client money handling service, where Debtfix holds client funds in trust and disburses to creditors. Distribution is direct-to-consumer, supplemented by an extensive referral ecosystem spanning Work and Income (WINZ), MoneyTalks, Good Shepherd, Citizens Against Poverty, Ngā Tāngata Microfinance, Citizens Advice Bureau, food banks, and a strategic partnership with Simplicity KiwiSaver for hardship withdrawal referrals.

Cumulative program outcomes reported by the organization include $30 million currently in debt solutions under management, $21 million of debt repaid, and over 3,000 New Zealanders supported on the path to becoming debt-free. Reported client outcomes include 100% reporting improved mental health and wellbeing once debt-free, 80% feeling able to achieve their goals (versus fewer than 10% at intake), and 65% feeling in control of their debt after six months, rising to 100% by program end.

Name

Debtfix

Legal name

The Debtfix Foundation

Website

https://debtfix.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Debtfix Foundation is a New Zealand-registered charity providing free, confidential debt management and insolvency advisory services to individual New Zealanders through a suite of solutions including the proprietary Shipshape program and New Zealand's first Creditor Proposals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Debt Advisory and Insolvency Services

NAICS

Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (5223)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Credit Counseling & Debt Management Plans (DMP) (FSAKAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Literacy, Debt Counseling & Default Prevention (EDALAJAK)

Keywords

• Debt management services
• Credit counseling
• Insolvency advisory
• Debt consolidation lending
• Financial hardship support

Headquarters

HQ city

Warkworth

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable Services: Debtfix Foundation is a registered charity providing free debt advice and management services. As a non-profit, their services are free to clients. Revenue appears to come from client fees charged after formal engagement for bespoke services, though specific fee structures are not publicly disclosed.
2. Client Money Handling: Registered on Financial Service Providers Register (FSP1003485) for acting as a client money handling service. They take receipt of client funds, deposit in client accounts, and disburse to creditors on behalf of clients. This service likely generates fee income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Debtfix is a non-profit charitable foundation that delivers free, confidential debt management and insolvency advisory services to individual New Zealanders. It offers a wrap-around advisory model that guides clients through a stepped Discuss-Decide-Fix journey, matching them to one of eleven debt solutions ranging from informal creditor agreements and budgeting support to formal insolvency procedures such as Debt Repayment Orders, Creditors Proposals, No Asset Procedures, and Bankruptcy guidance. As a registered charity and Financial Service Provider for client money handling, Debtfix can receive and disburse client funds to creditors on their behalf.

Product overview

Debtfix is a non-profit organization providing free, confidential debt management and insolvency advisory services to New Zealanders. The company operates as a wrap-around advisory service offering multiple debt solutions including Shipshape (their proprietary alternative solution), Debt Repayment Orders, Creditors Proposals, Debt Management Plans, Informal Agreements with Creditors, Simply Budget, No Asset Procedures, Hardship Applications, Microfinance, Debt Consolidation Loans, and Bankruptcy guidance. Debtfix's core differentiator is providing personalized, non-judgmental advice through their team of Debt Navigators, with services funded by creditors through commission arrangements rather than charging clients directly.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shipshape An alternative debt solution developed by Debtfix that offers a structured approach to managing significant debts and a path toward becoming debt free, primarily for New Zealand individuals overwhelmed by problem debt.
• Debt Repayment Order A formal legal arrangement overseen by Debtfix as Supervisor, allowing clients to repay debts at an affordable rate over time while being protected from creditor action.
• Creditors Proposal A formal proposal presented to creditors by Debtfix on the client's behalf, allowing repayment arrangements as an alternative to bankruptcy. Debtfix was the first organisation in New Zealand to offer this solution.
• Debt Management Plan A comprehensive debt solution in which Debtfix holds client funds in a designated trust account (under its FSP client money handling registration) and manages payments to creditors on the client's behalf over the repayment period.
• Informal Agreement with Creditors An informal arrangement negotiated by Debtfix with creditors on the client's behalf, providing modified payment terms without formal legal proceedings.
• Simply Budget A budgeting service that helps clients create and maintain financial plans to manage their money effectively and prevent future debt problems.
• No Asset Procedure (NAP) A formal insolvency procedure for clients with minimal assets and limited ability to repay debts, providing a pathway to write off remaining unsecured debts after a defined period.
• Hardship Application A service that assists clients in applying to lenders for modified loan terms due to unexpected financial hardship, potentially including payment holidays, extended repayment periods, or frozen interest and penalties.
• Microfinance Small loans provided to eligible clients, often positioned as an alternative to high-interest predatory lending.
• Debt Consolidation Loan A loan product that combines multiple debts into a single, more manageable repayment, potentially with lower interest rates.
• Bankruptcy Guidance Guidance and advisory support for individuals considering or entering bankruptcy, including exploration of alternative solutions before formal insolvency proceedings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of clients had better mental health and overall wellbeing once debt free
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Simplicity KiwiSavercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2022Simplicity KiwiSaver partnered with Debtfix to launch a pilot programme for KiwiSaver members wanting to withdraw funds when experiencing financial hardship. People applying to Simplicity for hardship withdrawals are referred to Debtfix for holistic support that may mean they don't need to draw down on KiwiSaver funds.
• Death Without DebtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation-wide movement pushing to remove institutional obstacles trapping communities in funeral debt. Debtfix supports their work and promotes their workshops and DIY funeral guide to help clients avoid funeral debt.
• Work and Income (WINZ)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment agency providing financial support. Debtfix refers clients to Work and Income for additional financial support they may be eligible for.
• MoneyTalksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancial mentor service. Debtfix refers clients who may benefit from financial mentoring support.
• Good ShepherdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSocial services organization. Debtfix refers clients who may benefit from their services.
• Christians Against PovertyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBudgeting and debt services organization. Debtfix refers clients as appropriate.
• Ngā Tāngata MicrofinanceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMāori microfinance organization. Debtfix refers clients who may benefit from their services.
• Food BanksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood assistance organizations. Debtfix refers clients who need emergency food support.
• Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL)coreOthersIndependent dispute resolution service for disputes related to client money handling service. Debtfix is a member (FSCL8903) for disputes about their client money handling service only.
• Financial Service Providers Register (FSPRO)coreOthersOfficial register where Debtfix is registered (FSP1003485) for acting as a client money handling service. Clients can verify registration at fspr.govt.nz.
• I Got Your Back PackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity collecting essential items for survivors of domestic violence. Debtfix collects donations at their Warkworth office and supports the organization.
• Auckland University of Technology (AUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research into financial wellbeing and debt solutions. Debtfix participated in AUT study for toolkit for healthy financial relationships.
• Citizens Advice BureauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity advice organization. Debtfix is discovered through CAB which had completed training with Christine Liggins.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/debtfixnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/debtfix-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Debtfix