Financial Services in New Zealand

Financial services covers advisers who guide people on KiwiSaver, managed funds, retirement income and protecting their finances with insurance. Some advise across all of these, others specialise in one area. People typically seek advice around buying a first home, changing jobs, an inheritance or planning for retirement.

Anyone giving regulated financial advice in New Zealand must operate under a Financial Advice Provider licence overseen by the Financial Markets Authority, and appear on the Financial Service Providers Register. Check the register, then ask how the adviser is paid, whether by fee, commission or both, plus which providers they can recommend. A clear disclosure document should set all of this out before you commit.