Ms Craik, a partner at McKenzie Craik Ltd and with 25 years in the industry, has been personally affected by the experiences of several friends who were "under so much pressure" and did not ask for help.
"This is something very dear to me," she said.
Not only did she offer a free hour-long consultation, with a particular focus on businesses having difficulties, she was also pushing for the establishment of a New Zealand Credit Bureau.
A survey she conducted of clients, friends and associates indicated credit was abused universally and that this was prolific through all age groups, she said.
Banks and financial institutions did not have to communicate. There was no mandatory mechanism for banks and those offering finance to communicate.
The situation was so bad it was heading for individual and business collapses "unprecedented" in New Zealand. Some of the situations she saw were "just horrific".
She believed a New Zealand Credit Bureau should be established, controlled by the Government but run by a trusted third party with extremely strict measures, and that the Government should pass legislation that all financial institutions, including those offering in-house cards, list all loans with the bureau.
There was a "huge problem" with credit abuse in New Zealand. Many people had multiple sources of credit. She believed her solution would save "billions and billions" of dollars.
She had already talked to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and intended raising the matter with both the Retirement Commissioner and the Consumers Institute.
At the moment, a society was being created that did not know how to save or spend wisely and people were "absolutely crippling themselves" and could not repay debt.
"It's completely and utterly reckless," Ms Craik said.
She provided the free hour-long consultation for anyone who felt they needed to talk, whether it was individuals or businesses, but particularly focused on businesses; and then a plan could be developed.
"If you keep the businesses running, you keep people employed. If your business is in trouble and you employ people, come and see us. We want to keep your business running, we want to keep people in Oamaru."
While there were people who were "burying their heads in the sand", she advised those who were struggling to get some advice before it became too difficult.
For those who made that decision to seek help, there was a sense of relief - "it's all off their shoulders" - because it gave them someone to lean on and bounce ideas off, while they still felt they were in equal control.
"It's really important people know there's someone there to help. They only need to ask."
Struggling within a business was not necessarily due to bad management, it could be because of compliance, which was now a huge cost in terms of money and time.
It was "fantastic" when things got on the right track, and the vast majority who sought help "come out the other end, but they have to want it".
"When they want it, it just turns so quickly," she said.
She was grateful for the support of banks prepared to work alongside her and the clients.
