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Top Financial Advisers in Wellington

Our guide explains how to find a Wellington financial adviser. what you will pay, the questions to ask as well as listing our top 5 Wellington financial advice firms.
Updated 30 April 2026

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

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 Wellington 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 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: Please ask how the financial adviser is being paid. You'll need to read what they send you and ensure you understand it. For example, are you paying them a percentage of your investment yearly? Or are the people they invest your money with paying them? The distinction is important.

This list of Wellington 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 Wellington financial advisers available, but some are aligned with a limited number of products from product providers, 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 Wellington 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?

​​It depends on the adviser. Three models are common in New Zealand:
  1. Fee-only: You pay the adviser directly. There is no commission from product providers. This is often charged as an upfront planning fee (around $1,000 to $10,000+ depending on the complexity of your investing needs), an ongoing percentage of funds under advice (typically 0.5% to 1.3% per year, dropping as your portfolio grows), or an hourly rate (around $300 to $400 plus GST). Fee-only is the cleanest model because the adviser is paid by you, not by the products they recommend.
  2. Commission-based: The adviser is paid by the product provider, not by you. The meeting is free, and the adviser earns a trail commission on your investment. This can be as high as 0.5% on investments, with insurance commissions often higher. The cost is built into the product fees you pay over time, so while the adviser meeting is free, the cost to you is not zero.
  3. Hybrid: A mix of both. Most advisers charge a planning fee, an ongoing percentage on investments, and earn commission on certain funds, insurance and mortgages.

Important - the numbers matter. On a $500,000 portfolio, a 0.5% annual fee costs $2,500. A 1.5% fee costs $7,500. Over 20 years, that gap may compound into around $200,000 of lost wealth.

Before working with any financial adviser, always ask:
  • How are you paid?
  • What will I pay in year one in dollars?
  • What will I pay each year after that?
  • Do you earn more from some products than others?

Know This: Every adviser must give you a disclosure document before advising you - make sure you read it and understand what it means. ​

Warning - You may not be advised on the most cost-effective investment available in the market. However, you can expect them to select the right product 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 Wellington-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?

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

Understanding What You're Investing In

Not all investments are the same. Managed funds and shares are generally liquid - meaning you can access your money relatively quickly. However, some financial advisers may recommend illiquid or private investments such as property syndicates, retirement village trusts, forestry schemes, or private equity. These can carry higher risk and may restrict your ability to withdraw funds for extended periods.
​
Before investing, always ask your adviser:
  • What exactly will my money be invested in?
  • Can I get my money back when I need it, and how quickly?
  • Is the investment scheme independently supervised with a licensed custodian?
  • What are the lock-up periods or restrictions on withdrawals?
  • What happens if the fund manager or adviser goes out of business?

Know This: The difference between a regulated managed fund with an independent custodian and supervisor and an illiquid private investment is significant - make sure you understand which you are being offered.
MoneyHub Verified Wellington Financial Advisers
  • Our research highlighted three leading Wellington financial advisers who have completed the MoneyHub Verified process.
  • We suggest contacting Evergreen Advice, Lighthouse Financial and Craigs Investment Partners - all three have demonstrated transparent fee structures, qualified advisers and a commitment to diversified investment approaches.
  • A financial adviser can help you make sense of your investment options, plan for retirement and ensure your money is working as hard as possible - contacting one is the best way to start.

Advertising Disclosure: Evergreen Advice and Lighthouse Financial appearing on this list have accepted MoneyHub's invitation for enhanced promotion, and pay for this service. Craigs Investment Partners is listed based on the personal experience of MoneyHub's founder, with no commercial arrangement involved. MoneyHub Verified does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of investment performance. MoneyHub accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from engaging with any financial adviser listed on this page. Always read a firm's disclosure statement and conduct your own due diligence before proceeding.

Three Verified Wellington Financial Advisers

The three financial advisers listed below are MoneyHub Verified. This means they have completed our verification process, providing evidence of their regulatory status, fee structure, adviser qualifications, investment approach and dispute resolution membership. MoneyHub Verified advisers are featured in our weekly email newsletters, cross-linked on multiple MoneyHub guides, and are our first point of referral when readers contact us directly asking for a list of financial advisers to consider.

What Does MoneyHub Verified Mean?
MoneyHub Verified confirms that a financial advisory firm has provided MoneyHub with evidence that it:
MoneyHub Verified does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or guarantee of investment performance. MoneyHub has not audited the investment returns, portfolio decisions, or suitability of advice provided by any verified firm. Being verified does not mean a firm will deliver positive investment outcomes or that their advice is suitable for your personal circumstances.

MoneyHub Verified status is reviewed annually and may be withdrawn at any time at MoneyHub's sole discretion. You should always conduct your own due diligence, read the firm's disclosure statement, and satisfy yourself that any financial adviser you engage is appropriate for your needs.

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

Craigs Investment Partners

  • ​Services offered: Sharebroking, investment planning, portfolio management, bespoke portfolio management, retirement planning, KiwiSaver, UK pension transfers and premium advice services.
  • Advisers: Jules Riley (MoneyHub founder Christopher Walsh's personal financial adviser) and the Craigs Investment Partners Wellington website
  • Fees: Varies; talk to Craigs for a custom structure

Contact Details:
Disclosure: MoneyHub has no paid relationship with Craigs Investment Partners or Jules Riley's profile. This listing reflects genuine personal experience - despite being Auckland-based, MoneyHub's founder has successfully conducted all investment advice and portfolio management with Jules (who is based in Wellington) via digital channels, proving that quality financial advice doesn't require in-person meetings. Craigs appearing on our list is based solely on service quality and professional expertise, with no commercial arrangement or referral fees involved.

Evergreen Advice

​Services offered:
  • Evergreen Advice specialises in financial planning and sustainable investment advice.
  • Their small team works with individuals, families, trusts and charities and offers advice around personalised investment portfolios, KiwiSaver, and investment portfolio reviews.

Advisers:
  • A team of two (Chelsea and Mike), both CFAs with backgrounds in finance and socially responsible investing.
​
Fees:
  1. An initial Investment Plan fee. This generally ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 (plus GST). For more complex clients, a higher fee may be applicable.
  2. Ongoing annual fees for advice, administration and custody of your portfolio. The advice maximum fee is 1.00% (+ GST) per annum of the value of the assets under management, with reductions for accounts above $500,000.
​
Insights: The adviser team publish regular blog posts with financial market commentary.

Contact details:

Lighthouse Financial (Auckland based, working with Wellington clients)

​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

Address: Level 10, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland City
Phone: 09 320 4947
Website: lighthousefinancial.co.nz

Alternative Wellington Options

MoneyHub Verified is a paid programme with specific verification requirements (as outlined above). The advisers below are not part of the Verified programme but are included as part of our editorial coverage of the Wellington market. All advisers operating in New Zealand are required to hold a FAP licence and provide a disclosure document.

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. 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 financial advisory 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.

Ekiwity

Services offered:
  • Sustainable budgeting and savings plans.
  • Advice around creating investment portfolios and long-term wealth creation

Advisers:
  • Yash Appilla runs Ekiwity alongside his role as the Treasury Manager for the New Zealand Post Group.
  • Yash started Ekiwity to help New Zealanders become financially independent and to enable them to retire early (as part of the FIRE movement).

Fees:
  1. Ekiwity provides independent financial advice on a fee-only basis. They do not receive any commission or rebates from third-party providers (e.g. fund managers or investment managers). This allows Ekiwity to put your financial goals as their number one priority.
  2. Ekiwity offers a free initial consultation to understand your requirements, and then charges on an hourly basis for their initial services. A typical first-year fee covers services and can vary between $1,000 to $2,500.  
  3. Reviews in subsequent years may be charged on a percentage basis or on an hourly basis (if the portfolio is lesser than a certain threshold).
  4. Ekiwity does not receive any commissions, kickbacks or rebates from any fund providers or investment schemes.

Insights: The adviser team has a small resource library

Contact details:

Your Money Blueprint ​

​Services offered:
  • Your Money Blueprint specialises in providing unbiased, conflict-free advice and financial plans for all stages of your life.
  • Their small team works with individuals and families, offering advice around personalised investment portfolios and KiwiSaver.

Adviser:
  • Nick Carr has an extensive background in budgeting and a common-sense approach to investing. You can read more about Nick in this NZ Herald profile and podcast, as well as a review of his book courtesy of The Happy Saver.
  • Nick started Your Money Blueprint after seeing people continue to make mistakes with money.

Fees:
  • Contact Your Money Blueprint to discuss fees.

Insights: The adviser team publish regular blog posts with common sense teachings and general financial market commentary.

Contact details:

Bloomsbury Associates

Services offered:
  • Bloomsbury Associates specialises in providing financial advice based on every client's unique goals.
  • Their small team works with individuals, families and charities and offers advice, financial planning, wealth management, philanthropic giving and ethical investing.

Advisers:
  • A team of five with backgrounds in financial services, investing and client services.

Fees:
  1. No charge for an initial consultation meeting
  2. A possible charge for preparing an Investment Plan
  3. Charge for managing personal investment portfolios and providing ongoing advice and support (maximum fee is 1.20%+GST per annum of the value of the assets under management, with reductions for larger or simpler accounts).
  4. Charge for managing KiwiSaver investment portfolios and providing ongoing advice and support (maximum fee is 0.75%+ GST per annum).

Insights: The adviser team publish semi-regular blog posts with financial market commentary.

Contact details:
MoneyHub Verified Wellington Financial Advisers
  • Our research highlighted three leading Wellington financial advisers who have completed the MoneyHub Verified process.
  • We suggest contacting Evergreen Advice, Lighthouse Financial and Craigs Investment Partners - all three have demonstrated transparent fee structures, qualified advisers and a commitment to diversified investment approaches.
  • A financial adviser can help you make sense of your investment options, plan for retirement and ensure your money is working as hard as possible - contacting one is the best way to start.

Advertising Disclosure: Evergreen Advice and Lighthouse Financial appearing on this list have accepted MoneyHub's invitation for enhanced promotion, and pay for this service. Craigs Investment Partners is listed based on the personal experience of MoneyHub's founder, with no commercial arrangement involved. MoneyHub Verified does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of investment performance. MoneyHub accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from engaging with any financial adviser listed on this page. Always read a firm's disclosure statement and conduct your own due diligence before proceeding.

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.
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