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Top Financial Advisers in Nelson & Tasman

Picking the right Nelson and Tasman-based Financial Adviser is very important. Our guide explains how to find one, what you will pay, the questions to ask, as well as listing our top options.
Updated 23 June 2025

This guide walks you through what a Financial Adviser is, who uses them and how they are paid, along with some tips on what to ask them should you decide to meet with one. We've listed what we consider to be the top financial advisers in Nelson.

This guide covers:
Disclaimer: The inclusion of any financial adviser on MoneyHub is not financial advice in any form, and our list below is not a recommendation. The exclusion of any financial adviser from our list does not suggest their service is inferior to those included - our guide is journalistic in nature. Please undertake your own research and due diligence before contacting and/or investing with any Nelson financial adviser. 

More information: We now publish and update Mary Holm's original Financial Adviser list (exclusive to MoneyHub)

Christopher Walsh, MoneyHub's Founder and Head of Research, shares his views on financial advisers:

"I'm often asked about my view on financial advisers. Of course, I can't and won't comment on anyone individually. However, I respond by proposing one question:
  • Did the financial adviser suggest putting your money with many different managers and asset classes (e.g. a diversified investment)? Or did they want to tip all your money into one fund/fund manager and then send you 'updates'?
  • If it's the latter, I would ask them to explain why they're not following a diversified approach (as outlined by the FMA). They may say the funds are "diversified" but how do you know?
  • Many financial advisers are fantastic and provide a valuable service. But as with any profession, some underperform. I've seen it all in my career - expensive, poor-performing funds and investments structured in somewhat of a 'heads I win, tails you lose' way that always seems to disadvantage the investors. 
  • Whatever you decide to do with your money, remember - diversification protects you from a single investment going wrong and losing a significant percentage (or even all) of your money.

​Important: Ask how your financial adviser is being paid and carefully review their fee disclosure documents. Financial advisers can be compensated in several ways:
  • Fee-only: You pay them directly (hourly rate, flat fee, or percentage of assets managed)
  • Commission-based: They earn money from the financial products they sell you
  • Fee-based: A combination of both direct fees and commissions

Why this matters: While you're right that advisers getting a percentage of assets might seem indifferent to performance, there's a crucial difference:
  1. Commission-based advisers may have incentives to recommend products that pay them the highest commissions, regardless of whether they're best for you. Once you're signed up, they've already earned their money.
  2. Percentage-based fees (Assets Under Management) align the adviser's interests with yours more closely - if your portfolio grows, their compensation increases. If it shrinks, they earn less. This creates an ongoing incentive to manage your money well.
  3. Flat or hourly fees remove product bias but may not incentivise ongoing portfolio management.

Always ask:
  • "Are you a fiduciary?" (legally required to act in your best interest)
  • "How exactly are you compensated?"
  • "Do you receive any kickbacks or incentives from investment companies?"
  • "What are the total costs I'll pay, including your fees and fund expenses?"

Understanding these incentive structures helps you evaluate whether your adviser's recommendations truly serve your interests or theirs.

Our list of Nelson financial advisers is published as a starting point to assist your search - it's not a definitive list by any means. We wish you the best of luck and ask you to remember that no one cares about your money more than you. If something doesn't feel right or you're uncomfortable, you're under no obligation to proceed.

Investment needs to be free of emotion - even if you have a great relationship with a financial adviser, your money is the number one priority, and you must be careful with who gets to invest it".
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

What is a Financial Adviser?

Financial Advisers are professionals who advise on financial planning, insurance, investing and other financial services. They are qualified and usually (but not always) members of Financial Advice New Zealand or similar professional organisations.

Know this first:
  • There are a range of Nelson financial advisers available, but some are aligned with a limited number of funds and investments (e.g. products) from certain companies, while others have a wide range of products which they consider when recommending financial advice.
  • It is important you ask the question at the beginning of the process about the depth and variety of the range of products and providers which they consider in the process of giving advice.
  • Throughout your life, you're likely to make different investments and buy different financial products at different times. The purpose of a financial adviser is to help you make the right decision about what investments and products are best for you.

Who Uses a Financial Adviser?

While data is difficult to find, it is reasonable to believe that most Financial Adviser clients tend to be 40+ years of age with a healthy amount of money to invest. Younger New Zealanders are unlikely to seek out Financial Advisers, focusing instead on KiwiSaver contributions, buying a house and investing in bank products and/or managed funds as primary investment options.

When do I need to use a Financial Adviser?

If you are considering investing in complicated financial products and need advice, a Financial Adviser may be familiar with what you are looking at. Financial Advisers working in Nelson usually provide guidance for the following:
  • Investments and Retirement Planning: Managed funds and investment trusts 
  • Insurance: Personal and business insurance
  • KiwiSaver: Selecting the right provider, switching to a more suitable scheme and contribution consultation 
  • Financial Planning for all ages and stages of life

How much does a Financial Adviser cost, and how are they paid?

In most cases, meeting a Financial Adviser won't cost anything - they work on commission. What you pay usually depends on what you invest - very few Financial Advisers charge an upfront fee (we now manage Mary Holm's list of fee-charging advisers). If you invest $100,000, it is possible your adviser will be paid around $250-$500 per year by the investment platform you select (representing a 0.25% to 0.50% commission, which isn't uncommon). 

Warning - You may not be advised on the most cost-effective investment available in the market. However, you can expect them to select suitable products for your circumstances.

How do I find a Financial Adviser?

  • First of all, talk to your family and friends and ask them if they have used a Financial Adviser in your area. This is a good starting point and make sure to ask about their experience (good or bad).
  • ​It is likely you will want to see more options, and Financial Advice New Zealand (previously the Institute of Financial Advisers) lets you search by region for a local Financial Adviser.
  • Following that, Googling "Financial Adviser (and the name of your location)" is a great place to start - be sure to look for Google Reviews of any adviser you shortlist. 
  • Our list below has a selection of trusted Nelson-based Financial Advisers. 

What questions should I ask a Financial Adviser?

The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has a must-read list. We suggest printing it off and going through it, line by line. While this is a complete list of questions to ask and consider, we recommend always asking for an explanation if you don't understand something when meeting with a Financial Adviser. Generally, the FMA's list covers:
  1. How do I know what you’re recommending is the best option for me?
  2. What are the risks of this investment?
  3. What will I pay?
  4. What information will I receive about my investments?
  5. How can I get my money back?

Trusted Nelson and Tasman Financial Advisers

We have listed some long-standing Nelson financial advice firms, all of whom have advisers who hold a number of relevant qualifications and a member of industry affiliations. 

Important: The list below does not constitute financial advice. When looking for a financial adviser, remember that all registered financial advisers are listed on the Financial Markets Authority website. But being qualified does not guarantee results:
  • Former Dunedin financial adviser Barry Kloogh was an authorised financial adviser. He was also running a ponzi scheme.
  • Ross Asset Management is another example of a financial advisers gone wrong. When this happens, investors are the people who lose the most.
  • While almost every authorised financial adviser is a professional in every sense, you must always understand what you're investing in and make sure you understand the documents sent.
  • MoneyHub routinely receives complaints about certain 'independent financial advisers' who pitch the idea of investing 100% of someone's money into one fund or fund manager. Such a suggestion seemingly disregards the basic principles of investment diversification. We're not impressed.

More details about financial advisers are available on these helpful websites:

Castle Trust Financial Planning (Richmond)


​Contact Details:

Totara Wealth Management (Nelson)

  • Services Offered: Investment planning, KiwiSaver, retirement planning, and financial analysis, with a focus on client objectives.
  • Advisers: See the team on the Tōtara Wealth website.
  • Fees: Contact for fee structure, more details are outlined on their website.

Contact Details:

Bradley Nuttall (Nelson)

  • Services Offered: Comprehensive wealth management, investment planning, KiwiSaver, pension transfers, and advice for high-net-worth individuals.
  • Advisers: Chris Beardsley (Director, Performance Matters) and team. See the team on the Bradley Nuttall website.
  • Fees: Low initial planning fees and competitive ongoing management fees; contact for details.

Contact Details:

Lighthouse Financial (Auckland CBD, working with clients in Nelson, Tasman and throughout New Zealand)

  • ​Service offered: Lighthouse Financial offers holistic financial planning; services include goal setting, budgeting, debt repayment, KiwiSaver, investments, property, and insurance. Lighthouse Financial offers independent investment research.
  • Advisers: James Blair, Jess Hargreaves, Ash Solly, Callum Gilmour and Euan Jones.
  • Fees: Initial discovery call is free of charge, following that Lighthouse offer a range of plans with adjusted pricing based on the assistance you require these options are clearly mapped out on their website.
  • Insights: Lighthouse Financial's approach puts your goals first. Before giving advice, their team takes the time to understand what matters most to you. 
  • More details: Read our Lighthouse Review

Contact:

Mark Sheehan Financial Limited (Nelson)

  • Services Offered: Investment planning, KiwiSaver advice, retirement planning, and financial strategies, with a focus on diversified portfolios.
  • Advisers: Mark Sheehan (Financial Adviser, 20+ years’ experience) and an experienced team profiled on the Mark Sheehan Financial website.
  • Fees: Contact for fee structure; typically fee-based with transparent pricing.

​Contact Details:

What Can I Do If I Got the Wrong Advice From a Financial Adviser?

If you feel you've been incorrectly advised, you have a right to complain. You cannot complain about the performance of an investment, only the way you were advised. Traditionally few people have done so, unsure and embarrassed by how the investment has turned out and then putting it down to experience.

The best approach is to complain to the Financial Adviser first - explain why you think the advice you received was wrong and collect as much paperwork and emails as you can find to support your argument. 

If you don't get a favourable response, you can complain to the Ombudsman service. The Financial Markets Authority and the NZ Government both set out excellent guides on who to complain to.

Remember, when it comes to investing, 'low risk' isn't the same as 'no risk'. 'Low risk' can still see you lose your money, and provided the Financial Adviser has explained this fact, there are no grounds for complaint. But if you were advised that a product you invested in could not lose money, and then you did, you have been incorrectly advised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQs answer the essential questions that help you find a financial adviser who genuinely puts your wealth-building goals first - and avoid those who don't.

1. Finding and Choosing a Financial Adviser FAQs

How do I know if I need a financial adviser?

Consider consulting a financial adviser if you have complex investment decisions to make, significant assets to manage (over $50,000), need retirement planning beyond basic KiwiSaver, require insurance advice, or feel overwhelmed by financial options.

If you're just starting with basic investments, you might manage fine with self-directed research initially.

What's the difference between 'independent' and 'aligned' financial advisers?

Independent advisers can recommend products from any provider and aren't tied to specific companies. Aligned advisers work with a limited range of products from specific providers. Always ask upfront: "What range of products and providers do you consider when giving advice?" The broader the range, the more likely you'll get unbiased recommendations (and more suitable investment options).

Should I meet with multiple advisers before choosing one?

Absolutely. Meet with at least 2-3 advisers. Compare their approaches, fee structures, and how well they explain things. A good adviser will offer a free initial consultation and never pressure you to make a decision immediately. Trust your gut - if something feels off, keep looking.

2. Fees & Payment Structure FAQs

How much should I expect to pay a financial adviser?

Most advisers work by charging upfront fees, ongoing management fees and/or commission (0.25%-1.00% of your investment annually). We believe fee-only advisers often provide more unbiased advice since they're not incentivised to sell specific products.

If my adviser works on commission, does that mean their advice is biased?

Not necessarily, but it's a potential conflict of interest. Commission-based advisers earn money when you invest in certain products, which might influence their recommendations. Always ask "how are you paid?" and "do you receive higher commissions from some products?" Fee-only advisers eliminate this conflict.

Are expensive advisers better than cheaper ones?

Not automatically. Higher fees should reflect higher service levels, more expertise, or more comprehensive advice. What matters most is value - are you getting advice and service worth what you're paying? A cheaper adviser who provides excellent guidance is often preferable to an expensive one who doesn't understand your needs.

3. Investment Advice and Strategy FAQs

Should my adviser put all my money with one fund manager?

This is a red flag and, sadly, one we're alerted to by MoneyHub users asking us questions about such proposals from certain financial advisers (not listed on our resources).

Our view is simple: Any adviser suggesting that you put 100% of your money with one fund manager is ignoring basic diversification principles. Good advisers recommend spreading investments across different asset classes, managers, and sometimes even countries. If an adviser suggests concentrating everything in one place, ask them to explain why they're not following diversified investment principles.

How do I know if the investment advice I'm getting is any good

Good advice should include
  1. Clear explanation of risks, diversified investment strategy, products that match your risk tolerance and timeframe, transparent fee disclosure, and regular portfolio reviews.
  2. Be wary if an adviser promises guaranteed returns, pushes complex products you don't understand or seems more interested in selling than listening.

What questions should I ask about any investment my adviser recommends?

Ask these five critical questions:
  1. What are the risks, and how could I lose money?
  2. What fees will I pay (both to you and the investment)?
  3. How does this fit my goals and risk tolerance?
  4. How liquid is this investment? How quickly can I access my money? How I pay a fee to get my money back?
  5. What alternatives did you consider, and why is this the best option?

4. Ongoing Relationship Management FAQs

How often should I hear from my financial adviser?

At a minimum, expect annual reviews of your portfolio and financial plan. Many advisers provide quarterly updates and are available for questions between formal reviews. If you only hear from your adviser when they want to sell you something new, that's a problem. Good advisers proactively communicate about market changes affecting your investments.

When should I consider changing my financial adviser?

Consider changing advisers if a few of the following apply:
  • Your advisers don’t communicate with you regularly or don't return calls promptly
  • Your investments consistently underperform comparable alternatives
  • Your advisers push products you don't understand
  • Your advisers’ fees seem excessive for services provided
  • You feel you can’t trust your adviser

Your money is too important to stay with an adviser who isn't serving you well.

Can I negotiate fees with my financial adviser?

Fees are frequently negotiable, especially if you have substantial assets or are considering multiple advisers. Don't be afraid to ask: "Is there flexibility in your fee structure?" or "What would the fee be for a client with my portfolio size?" The worst they can say is that their prices are fixed.
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