William SmithWe’ve all heard our fair share of financial horror stories, whether it’s from a friend who invested heavily in Beanie Babies or an uncle who “diversified” his portfolio by betting on horses.
And let’s also not forget all the times we’ve splurged on the latest gadget or an impromptu getaway, only to endure the subsequent pangs of regret when the credit card bill arrives.
If you’re looking to avoid such horrors again, you’ll need to tap some professional financial planners for help. They can turn your financial fears into a well-organised plan, so you can start worrying about the next bill and start focusing on your goals.
Lucky for you, Auckland has loads of financial planners, and we’ve already done the legwork to narrow down your choices to just the absolute best. Here’s our list of the top financial planners in Auckland that can help you make sounder financial decisions!
| How much does it cost to hire a financial planner in Auckland? Hiring a financial planner in Auckland costs at least 200 NZD per hour. The actual price will vary depending on whether the financial advisor is commission-based or not. |
How We Chose
1. Ungaro & Co Financial Advice for Everyday People!
Address: 301/28 College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 9 360 2179
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Ungaro & Co specialises in helping people with their finances, no matter their budget. They’re dedicated to making financial advice accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy.
We’ve noted they offer a fee-only option, which means you pay for their advice upfront. This ensures total transparency, with no hidden commissions.
One of the things people like the most is that they focus on your individual goals, from short to long-term.
Several like the clarity that their free initial consultations give them. Many have told us that they are different because they use a “lens-shifting” strategy. This means they help you see financial opportunities you might have otherwise missed.
If you decide to go ahead with them, they will create a personalised financial plan tailored to your goals. You’ll also get a written summary of their advice and, if needed, help with implementing their suggestions.
However, their focus on long-term goals might not appeal to those looking for quick financial fixes.
Pros
- Focuses on client’s specific goals
- Provide financial advice for all budgets
- Upfront fees with no hidden surprises
- Free initial consultation
- Lens-shifting advice
- Financial podcast available
Cons
- Not for quick financial fixes
He listens and adapts to your situation
Where do I start? Darcy is widely read, looks at many options and thinks out of the box. His advice is practical and well explained. He listens and adapts to your situation. He can cope with digital and more conventional options together, so that the solution is well diversified and minimises risk. We came away reassured and with clear direction. Highly recommended!
– Megan Cummins, Google Reviews
Lots of different avenues of financial advice
Very good advice financially and a likable, genuine, sincere person. Darcy is very professional and he treats your time as just as valuable as his is. He has educated himself in lots of different avenues of financial advice and tries to give you an overall perspective from all the objective viewpoints so that you can make the best decision for yourself. You can tell he cares and takes the time to understand your situation and find your best possible paths forward in the direction you choose. I would definitely and have recommended working with him to understand your financial options better to improve your financial life.
His podcasts are also great as well…!
Thanks again, Darcy!
– Cristen Poole, Google Reviews
2. SurePlan Financial
Address: CSG Building Level 4/1 Nugent Street, Grafton, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 9 551 9071
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
SurePlan Financial offers a holistic approach to managing your finances. They’re particularly excellent at maximising cash flow.
Their financial plans help you determine if you’re overspending on things like insurance and taxes. Many of those we talked to also like that they set up your finances to minimise interest on debts. They show you how to fine-tune your lifestyle to meet your goals.
We also appreciate the ongoing support they provide to help their clients stay on track with their short-term and long-term financial goals. They even help with retirement financial planning!
Several clients also raved about how their tax strategies help them save money and grow their wealth.
The only complaint we’ve heard about them is that it’s hard to get a hold of them sometimes. It’s a minor inconvenience that we believe doesn’t really overshadow the value they provide.
Pros
- Helps you spend smarter
- Helps you pay less interest on debts
- Lifestyle & goals match
- Ongoing support
- Retirement financial planning
- Uses smart tax strategies
Cons
- Hard to contact at times
Helped us to fulfill our financial dreams
We have been clients of SurePlan for over 5 years and in this time they have helped us to fulfill our financial dreams of owning a rental and become financially successful. The team are amazing and exceptional at what they do. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them as they are dedicated, knowledgeable, trustworthy and very approachable.
– Nicky Thornton, Google Reviews
Saved us tens of thousands of dollars
We first met with SurePlan Financial in 2014 and they put together a financial plan for us. I was impressed with what they came up with and my wife and had it implemented shortly after.
SurePlan came up with a way to pay down our mortgage years earlier without sacrificing our lifestyle saving us tens of thousands of dollars. The results to date have been much better than predicted. Thanks to the team we are now in great shape for future retirement.
– Lawrence Highman, Google Reviews
3. Enva Financial
Contact Details: +64 508 287 672
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Enva Financial is known for helping families sort out their financial futures with insurance, KiwiSaver accounts, and mortgages. Their planners help you make smart choices that won’t have you regret coming to them for financial planning.
Several clients mentioned that Enva gives really helpful advice on insurance, including life, health, and income protection insurance. They help find the right coverage for the client’s family and assets.
In addition, they provide guidance on selecting the right KiwiSaver fund and contributing effectively. They also offer help with home loans or refinancing to ensure you get the best deal for your finances.
Many of the clients we spoke to also liked that their advisors focus on long-term planning. This is something many customers really appreciate, as it helps them prepare for the future.
One downside, though, is that their customer service can be a bit slow at times. Some have mentioned that it sometimes takes a while to get responses to their queries.
Pros
- Helps you make smart choices
- Insurance expertise
- KiwiSaver guidance
- Mortgage assistance
- Long-term planning
Cons
- Slow customer service
I admire his late meetings and working around our schedule
Grant was thorough, diligent and did not push us into making a decision but helped us understand things first. I admire his late meetings and working around our schedule as well. Thank you Grant!
– Jacinta Chow, Google Reviews
He took the time to explain everything
Dylan Smith was amazing. He took the time to explain everything, he was honest and we could tell he had our best interests at heart. Our future goals now seem achievable, thanks to Dylan’s advise and expertise.
– Denise Phillips, Google Reviews
4. Brackenridge Total Financial Solution
Address: 2/2 Boundary Road, Hobsonville, Auckland 0616, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 9 360 7138
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Brackenridge Total Financial Solution has been around since 2001. Their main thing is making financial plans that fit each person’s unique situation and life stage. Their team is full of seasoned financial planners who are focused on helping you succeed.
Their financial planners really take the time to get to know you and what you’re aiming for before suggesting anything. Many appreciate that they discuss your financial goals with them, analyse the risks, and create a written financial game plan for them to follow.
They follow a five-step methodology: risk management, cash management, debt reduction, investment planning, and estate planning.
Several clients also mentioned that Brackenridge’s financial planners also help them pinpoint exactly where their money goes. They then guide them on how to knock off any debts as quickly as possible.
The fees, though, might be a bit steep if you don’t have much to invest in financial planning.
Pros
- Personalised plans
- Experienced financial planners
- Prioritise open communication
- A clear five-step methodology
- Help with debt reduction
Cons
- Expensive fees
He is always looking out for our changing needs
“Rod has been advising us for over 15 years! He is great to deal with, he is always looking out for our changing needs and recommends what is best for us, even if this is not going to be good for his own pockets! Nothing is too much trouble for him. He is knowledgeable about what he does and a pleasure to deal with. We completely trust Rod’s advice. He is also excellent at following us up for reviews.”
– Stephanie Hydes, Google Reviews
Service has been of the highest quality
We have used Breckenridge Total Financial Solutions for many years to help us plan our financial future through appropriate insurance as we head towards our retirement. Service has been of the highest quality and has Rod’s advice. We would recommend his services without reservations.
– Michael and Jennene, Google Reviews
5. Become Wealth
Address: B: Hive, Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, New Zealand
Contact Details: +64 508 232 663
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Become Wealth is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their financial health and achieve their wealth-building goals.
They offer a free 30-minute financial health check. We’ve found it a good way to get a taste of what they can do for you without any commitment.
From what we’ve observed, their planners are particularly great for individuals aiming to build substantial wealth, though they also serve high-net-worth clients and big organisations. They do everything from investment advice to mortgage broking and insurance.
Many of the clients we spoke to said working with Become Wealth feels like having a personal trainer for their money. They guide them in getting their finances in order, setting goals, and making a plan to reach them.
However, some did mention that their customer service sometimes falls short because communication can get slow. It’s something to keep in mind if prompt responses are important to you.
Pros
- Free financial health check
- Ideal for aspiring millionaires
- Trusted by large organisations
- Comprehensive financial services
Cons
- Customer service can be slow at times
Nik was patient and understanding
The information supplied to me made sense! Nik was patient and understanding that business and future financial planning is not a strength of mine. However, he made it easy. Highly recommend his advice and support through this complicated process. Thanks Nik, patience of a giant!
– Tina Grant, Google Reviews
He listened to what we wanted to achieve
We had a very positive experience working with Josh. He listened to what we wanted to achieve, considered our financial information and formulated a plan around how to achieve our financial goals. Josh provided a comprehensive statement of advice. He gave us time and space to ask lots of questions during our follow up session. Through this process we now have a really good understanding of what we can achieve.
– Amanda Cunningham, Google Reviews
