Hi there,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a blessed and refreshing holiday season. We stayed close to home this Christmas and New Year, spending time hosting and reconnecting with our extended family. It was busy, full, and very special.
As we begin 2026, I thought it would be a great time to start with a short Q&A so you can get to know me a little better. Many of you have known me for years, but I’d love to share more about my background, beliefs, and why I do what I do.
What is my background?
I was born and raised in Malaysia and moved to New Zealand at a young age. I attended Northcote College in Auckland and later completed my business degree at the University of Auckland.
I’ve always been interested in finance and how money works, largely because of my upbringing. Growing up with a single mum, finances were always tight. Because of that, my heart naturally goes out to families who are under financial pressure – I understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with it.
After graduating, I began my career at Westpac’s head office in Auckland City. I later moved on to ANZ and the Credit Union, progressing through a variety of banking roles and gaining broad industry experience along the way.
How did I become a Financial Adviser?
Before becoming a Financial Adviser, I was a Business Manager at Westpac. A mentor encouraged me to consider financial advice, saying I would genuinely enjoy helping people with their finances.
After much prayer and discussion with my wife, I decided to take the leap and became a Financial Adviser with New Zealand Home Loans (NZHL). My mentor was right – I loved it and found my calling. In my first year, I was awarded Rookie of the Year and went on to become one of the top advisers nationwide.
Later, after further prayer and discussion with my wife, I started my own independent financial services business: MIK Solutions (Mortgage, Insurance & KiwiSaver) Being 100% independent allows me to work with multiple banks and providers, helping more families achieve their goals – whether that’s buying their first home, growing an investment portfolio, securing the right insurance, or building wealth through KiwiSaver.
What are my greatest achievements?
My greatest achievement, without question, is marrying my best friend and the love of my life, Brittany, and raising our three beautiful children together. From a financial perspective, one of our proudest moments was saving our first home deposit. At one point, we were juggling four jobs between us to make it happen. Our journey was even featured in Stuff here.
I understand first-hand the sacrifices required to buy your first home. I still remember the tears streaming down my face the day we moved in – we praised God and gave Him all the glory.
We also managed to fully pay off our home in our early 30s by using the right loan structures and strategies. Since then, we’ve owned multiple investment properties and are passionate about helping others follow a similar roadmap towards financial freedom.
Why is insurance so important?
I’ll be honest – I don’t enjoy paying insurance premiums any more than anyone else, and I certainly hope I never need to claim. So why do I still have comprehensive cover for my family and myself? The answer is simple: peace of mind.
Insurance protects your financial plan when life throws the unexpected at you. I’ve been a Financial Adviser for over 10 years, and I receive insurance claims almost every month. It’s heart-breaking when people don’t have enough cover – or any at all.
Even when clients do have insurance, the challenges they face can be devastating. However, when a claim is paid, it removes a huge financial burden and allows families to focus on recovery, not money.
Most of the claims I see relate to cancer, heart attacks, and strokes – along with smaller claims such as broken bones. One provider’s New Zealand claims data from 2024 (see here) reflects this, and other insurers show similar patterns.
If you’re interested, this article below explains insurance in a very practical way: Insurance: What Do You Really Need? Read here.
The key question is: why risk your financial future without protection?
Why am I a big believer in KiwiSaver specialists?
KiwiSaver is one of the most powerful tools we have for building a home deposit and preparing for retirement.
When you contribute 3% and your employer matches it with another 3%, that’s effectively a 100% return before you even factor in government contributions and market growth.
I’m proud to say I helped my girlfriend at the time (now my wife) open her KiwiSaver account when the government still offered the $1,000 kick-start. We later used our KiwiSaver savings to help purchase our first home – an opportunity that changed our lives.
I always recommend that my clients transfer their KiwiSaver from a bank to a KiwiSaver specialist. The main reason is simple: KiwiSaver specialists focus solely on KiwiSaver. Historically, their performance has consistently ranked among the top performers in the market. This can mean a larger home deposit and a stronger retirement balance, giving you more choices and flexibility in the future.
Another recommendation I often make is contributing 10% rather than the minimum 3%, if your circumstances allow. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your KiwiSaver can grow over time.
For perspective, in Australia the minimum superannuation contribution is 12%. As a result, many Australians retire with superannuation balances in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Wouldn’t it be great to have that level of financial comfort when you reach retirement?
What do I do outside of work?
I’ve been married for 10 years and am blessed with three energetic children aged 4, 2, and 6 months. Life is busy – but incredibly rewarding.
I am a born-again Christian and my faith is central to my life. I love God and attend church every Sunday. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading my Bible, and learning through books – particularly on Christianity, finance, biographies, and personal development.
Whether you’re just starting out, looking to buy your first home, or wanting to review your insurance and KiwiSaver, I’d love to help. Together, we can create a clear, step-by-step plan to support you in achieving your financial goals.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
