Helping Kiwis create a plan, build their wealth (and invest in property).

Hi, I’m Stevie a financial adviser here at Opes. I love property and grew up following my Dad through open homes and looking through the property press in the newspaper. He taught me all of his tips and tricks of the trade that has made him a successful property investor. 

It’s an ever-changing industry that keeps me on my toes and gets me out of bed in the morning. My favourite part about my job is figuring out what my clients could do to retire early. Focusing on the what-if’s and the past can be detrimental to their progress going forward and when I meet with clients I keep them focused on the future through a manageable strategy. 

I listen to my clients, plain and simple and give them absolute confidence that achieving their goals is possible and often easier than they think. In my spare time, if you don’t find me cooking a feast for my close friends, sharing a bottle of red and a lot of laughter, you’ll find me hiking, at the gym or spending time with my niece.

Hi, I’m Dennis. As a financial adviser, I’m the initial step for clients wanting to buy their first investment property. 

I love to meet people and help them understand how the investment process works. I thrive on working with people to improve their lives, and the Opes principle of thinking long-term matches my own values. 

I’m pretty keen on sports and enjoying this beautiful country, on weekends you’ll usually find me at the gym, out fishing, or trying not to wipe out on my longboard!

Spending 45 (of your best) years working, only to retire on the pittance that is superannuation (if it will even still be around when you and I retire) sounds like a horrible deal to me!

I was fortunate to realise this at a young age, so after university I spent (what felt like) another small fortune on some great 'financial' education figuring out how to avoid that.

Once I understood leverage, I went out and bought my first investment property at 22... and then I started my first business at 25. (I'll leave you to guess my age from my photo :-))

Ever since then, financial freedom has been my primary goal - for myself, my family and my clients. Full disclosure though... initially I was too obsessed and probably pushed too hard, which ended up costing me a lot. The expensive and humbling lessons I learned through that 'reset' taught me patience and that enjoying the journey is also incredibly important. They've also allowed me to help ensure others don't make the same mistakes.

Now... my wife and I have accumulated a $6m+ property portfolio, run a couple of businesses and enjoy at least a week a month wakeboarding around Taupō over the summer or snowboarding on Ruapehu during Winter - and once the world opens up properly again for international travel, we have a long list of new places that we plan to visit. I don't think our two boys (currently 9 & 10) really understand what Mum & Dad do for a 'job' - which is perfect - and we plan to ensure they begin their working lives with a much better financial education and base than we ever did.

Finally, after observing the crew at Opes Partners and listening to every single one of their podcasts for a couple years, I realised just how focussed and genuine they are. The deals they negotiate, the due diligence they go through, the data analysis they undertake, and the fact that I was initially frustrated at their conservative projections - all led me to want to work with them.

Fortunately, they seemed to like me too... and now I look forward to helping you achieve your financial goals through property.

Hi, I’m Kathy, a financial adviser (Property) at Opes. I am a qualified financial adviser specialising in property investment.

I am the typical “mum-and-dad” investor who realised almost too late that pouring all our funds into our owner occupier was not going to provide us with the comfortable retirement we were seeking.

Luckily we had a meeting with Andrew Nicol who showed us how we could use leverage. We now have a diverse investment portfolio of townhouses and standalones in various parts of the country which will allow us to have the retirement we are looking forward to and not dreading.

Life doesn’t always work on the way you think, and our parents are testament to that where due to their shortfalls in planning and life throwing curveballs, they are in a situation where their children are now supporting them. I want to break the cycle. The most important gift that every person can give to their children is to create financial independence at retirement. Everything above that is what you should absolutely enjoy in your golden years.

Despite purchasing our first owner occupier at the age of 22, we had not leveraged the equity or knew how to go about it until we found Opes. I am proud that my son has just purchased his first owner occupier at the age of 22. He is already working out how he can leverage to buy his first investment property.

I have a Bachelor of Commerce degree (sooooo long ago!), qualified in South Africa as a Certified Financial Planner and now have my New Zealand certificate in Financial Services (Investments). So great I have the qualifications, but the real question is – how can I help you? If you are looking for a pathway to financial independence, are wanting to act but need those lights on the runway to guide you and want to speak to someone who has been through it or heard it before, I can help you

So my pearly words of wisdom that I go by are:

Break the cycle

Be the change

Take action

These are the things I ponder when enjoying the outdoors, ticking off New Zealand Greatest Walks, walking along the great Tongariro River, and spending time at all our wonderful beaches.

Here's what a client recently said about Kathy: "Thanks for all your help and guidance Kathy. It's been a pleasure working with you. Very much appreciate the hand holding".

I'm one of the senior advisers at Opes and as of March 2024 have helped my clients purchase 188 properties worth over 140 million. I take the trust of my clients very seriously.

To climb onto the investment property ladder my wife and I saved $500,000 in 6 years.

How? Well, there was no avo on toast lol. My wife rode her bike to uni and we rented a small room in a flat like teenagers.

Today, we control a property portfolio worth over $2.4 million and have been blessed with twin daughters.

So you might be worried – If you work with me as a financial adviser, am I going to tell you live off the smell of an oily rag?

No, the right balance must be found between enjoying the now and planning for tomorrow. What is the best plan? The one YOU can stick to!!

I understand extreme saving and that was fine before we had kids. That isn't right for most people though.

I also find budgets don't usually work. Better spending habits occur naturally with a simple plan and a deadline. Have you ever noticed that after booking tickets for a holiday your ability to save for that holiday miraculously improves?

I grew up in a wealthy family, have been broke, have been flush and have been through market cycles. I understand the emotional roller coaster and can help you through it.

I also LOVE numbers and details. So I'm not the right fit for everyone and that is OK.

Success with money is the repetition of good habits over long periods. Failure is the repetition of bad habits. Unfortunately, you can't invest your way out of a lack of time so begin NOW.

What are the good habits?

All you have to do is carve out a piece of your income and allocate it into scarce, desirable assets that tend to go up in value over time and hold on for the long term.

Property in New Zealand is a prime example.

It sounds simple because it is. But it isn't easy! That is why Opes was created.

We help you get the same results as if you were a full-time investor with a team of staff. And that is actually how I arrived here; originally I was a client.

Money isn't everything, it is up there with oxygen though. Life is very hard without it.

It would be a privilege to work with you on your long-term financial goals.

Hi, I’m Maxine a financial adviser here at Opes. A typical day for me would be to start off with exercise followed by coffee and planning for the day. I love the flexibility of my job and, the excitement you see people have when they enter property investment or purchase a first home for the first time is utmost satisfying. 

I live and breathe property; my Partners and I invest in property and love talking with likeminded people. The best skills I bring to the job is personal experience along with working in the property investment industry for around 7 years. In my spare time you will find me outdoors and spending time with my young family.

Hi, I’m Jeremy, a financial adviser here at Opes.

I have had a love for property and property investment for as long as I can remember, I knew it was how I wanted to build not only a passive income but generational wealth. It gives me the power to use a little to get a lot and know that while I am working for my money, in the background my money is working for me.

As our job title suggests building a successful property portfolio is a collaborative process, a partnership, and like any good partnership you need to be willing to do the work and make the changes and decisions that will see you benefit the most. The outcome needs to be income and I want you to use that income to give yourself as many options as possible.

I believe property investment is for everyone and it is just a matter of working with the right team of professionals, a team that wants to see you truly succeed. Welcome to that team.

Outside of the office I am passionate about family, friends and can't say no to pepperoni pizza. A creature of habit, you will most likely find me at the gym, failing miserably to reduce my screen time or patting any dog within arm’s reach.

Hi, I’m Ben, a financial adviser at Opes Partners.

With 14 years under my belt as a mortgage adviser and a diverse background in the financial industry, I've honed my skills as an Investment Adviser. My main drive is assisting clients in realising their financial aspirations through informed property investment strategies. My foundation in the financial world, coupled with a sincere desire to help, enables me to offer tailored and in-depth property investment advice. Building long-term relationships with my clients is something I take great pride in, and their financial well-being is always at the forefront of my actions.

When I’m not immersed in work, you'll find me spending time with my wife and our two kids. Sports play a big role in my life, especially cycling and rugby. Over the years, I've curated a wine collection, valuing the narrative and craft behind each bottle. And if you ever want to talk music, I have a soft spot for the warm sound of vinyl. My collection spans a range of genres.

Hi, I’m Amy, a financial adviser here at Opes. I’ve been a Financial Adviser specialising in property investment for over 20 years. I used to own an award-winning financial planning firm in Auckland which I sold a few years back. I love working with everyday Kiwi’s, helping them plan and invest for a financially secure future.

I bought my first property at age 18, and have continued to invest ever since. I am also a Property Developer in my spare time. Property is my passion and I work with clients helping them achieve financial freedom because I love it!

When I’m not working, I’m hanging out with my twin boys who are my world and my greatest achievement.