Abstract:
The aims of the research are to evaluate the impact of Ngā Tangata Microfinance (NTM) no-interest asset-building (NILS®) and debt relief (DRLS) loans on clients and communities, and to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of NTM processes, for the purpose of increasing the impact of the loans, and improving the loan processes. A third aim is to ascertain a continuing growth path for NTM. The fourth aim is to evaluate NTM’s social justice contribution. For clients and their communities, NTM’s objective is to provide a pathway toward financial inclusion and improved well-being through reduction in or avoidance of high interest debt. The research project was approved by the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee on 19 August 2016, Reference Number 016816.