Financial Advice New Zealand has opened nominations for its 2026 Financial Advice NZ Awards, which it says recognise individuals and organisations “who are changing lives and creating positive consumer perceptions of financial advice in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
The organisation says winners will be announced at the National Adviser Conference 2026, to be held from 24–26 March in Auckland, as part of the Conference Gala Awards Dinner on 26 March (see: National Adviser Conference Update).
Financial Advice NZ CEO Nick Hakes says the awards reflect the evolving role of advisers and the growing impact of high-quality advice on New Zealanders’ financial wellbeing.
“These awards recognise people and organisations who are leading with integrity, professionalism, and a clear commitment to improving the financial and emotional wellbeing of New Zealanders,” he says.
“Great advice builds confidence, resilience, and long-term financial wellbeing. The individuals and organisations we recognise through these awards are helping increase trust in the profession and shape what modern financial advice looks like in practice.”
Financial Advice NZ says the award categories are:
- Financial Capability Advocate Award: Presented to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving financial capability and financial education. This award recognises meaningful efforts to help New Zealanders better understand financial concepts and make informed decisions throughout their lives.
- Community Impact Award: Recognises an individual or organisation that has delivered positive social and financial outcomes within their community. This award celebrates advisers and organisations who extend their impact beyond their business, contributing to stronger, more financially resilient communities.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Recognising an individual who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the financial advice profession over their career. This award acknowledges leadership, service, and a lasting positive influence on the profession and those within it.
…the awards also play an important role in professional leadership and knowledge-sharing across the advice community…
Hakes says the awards also play an important role in professional leadership and knowledge-sharing across the advice community.
“Our awards programme goes beyond recognising excellence in advice. They’re about how good clients of advisers can become. By sharing the stories behind great advice, we want more Kiwis to see what’s possible, have confidence in their financial futures, and know that professional financial advice can genuinely change their lives for the better.
“Research demonstrates that New Zealanders are better off with financial advice — and that’s what the awards programme is really here to celebrate.”
Click here for full awards criteria and nomination details and here to see our story on the 2025 winners.