Inside Money: All your money questions asked in seven days

This wasn't an auspicious start to Money Week.

Just 42 seconds into the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) video 'What is money?' the audio dropped out.

I would have to wait another 30 minutes to find out what money is, according to the error report.

But time is money, I knew that much already, so I read Reserve Bank Deputy Governor, Geoff Bascand's review of the video instead of staring at the screen for half an hour.

"The video is a useful tool in explaining how money acts as a reliable means of exchange, a unit of account and as a store of value," Bascand said.

"The Reserve Bank plays an important role in the functioning of money. It provides the country's notes and coins and works to keep prices stable. It also promotes, through regulation, the soundness of the institutions where people keep their money (like banks and many finance companies) and the soundness of the payments systems sitting behind the financial system."

For now I'm going to have to rely on Bascand's word for that: my technical difficulties continue.

However, there are other things to do during Money Week that don't necessarily need IT support to view.

While Money Week may not have developed quite the same festive atmosphere as, say, Christmas, the concept is laudable. Bringing neglected background financial issues into the spotlight can't be a bad one.

Many of the events will offer practical, hands-on advice (of a general nature) but the RBNZ's mini-money-movie does promise an insight into the philosophical underpinnings of the financial system.

I hope to see it one day. In the meantime, reader reviews would be appreciated.

(Also, I have an idea for a sequel to the RBNZ effort. Working title: 'Where is money?' - look out for the investment opportunity on crowd-funding platforms.)