A good financial adviser helps you set goals, invest sensibly and plan for retirement, while keeping your KiwiSaver and risk cover on track. Dunedin has advisers from large firms to independents, so it pays to start with a shortlist of trusted, licensed names.
We have rounded up five of Dunedin's most trusted financial advisers, focused on clear plans, transparent fees and advice in your interest. This is a general guide, not personalised financial advice; always read an adviser's disclosure statement.
The top 3 financial advisers in Dunedin are 1. Forsyth Barr, 2. Cutlers, 3. SHARENZ. Below we explain why each made the list, compare them at a glance, and share how to choose.
This featured position sits above the editorial Top 3 and is clearly labelled. It does not influence the rankings below.
Founded in Dunedin, Forsyth Barr are one of New Zealand's leading investment and wealth advisory firms.
Serving Dunedin and Mosgiel, Cutlers provide wealth, investment and insurance advice tailored to your goals.
Dunedin-based SHARENZ advise on investments, shares and KiwiSaver for clients across Otago.
A quick comparison of our Top 3 picks.
| Financial Adviser | Best for |
|---|---|
| Forsyth Barr | Investment and wealth advice |
| Cutlers | Wealth and investment advice |
| SHARENZ | Investment and share advice |
Independent, editorial, and reviewed regularly.
TopChoice rankings are editorially curated by our New Zealand team and reviewed periodically. We don't host our own reviews. Our shortlists draw on public reputation signals from Google and other platforms, alongside our own research into each financial adviser. We weigh up a combination of:
We don't accept payment in exchange for a place in the Top 3. Featured placements are separate and always clearly labelled. Rankings may change over time as businesses evolve.
Confirm they are licensed. Financial advisers in New Zealand work under a licensed Financial Advice Provider, are listed on the Financial Service Providers Register and must give you a disclosure statement covering their services, fees and any conflicts.
Understand how they are paid. Some advisers charge a fee for service, some receive commission (common for insurance and mortgages), and some both. Fee-only advice can reduce conflicts; either way, get the costs and the scope of advice in writing.
Match the adviser to your goals. KiwiSaver and investment advice, retirement planning, insurance and estate planning are different specialties. Ask about their qualifications, their typical clients and how often they review your plan.
It varies. Some advisers charge a flat or hourly fee (often a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a plan), some are paid by commission on products, and some both. They must disclose all costs before you proceed.
Yes. They must operate under a licensed Financial Advice Provider, appear on the Financial Service Providers Register and follow the Financial Markets Authority's conduct standards, including acting in your interests and disclosing conflicts.
Yes. Advisers can review your KiwiSaver fund choice, contribution rate and risk profile against your goals and timeframe. Even a one-off review can make a meaningful difference over the long term.
Fee-only advisers charge you directly and take no product commissions, which reduces conflicts of interest. Commission-based advisers are paid by the provider. Neither is automatically better, but you should know which applies and what it costs.
A summary of your income, assets, debts, KiwiSaver and any insurance, plus your goals and timeframe. The clearer your picture, the more useful the advice. Many advisers offer a free, no-obligation first chat.
At least annually, and after major life changes such as a new job, a house purchase, a baby or an inheritance. Markets and rules change too, so a regular review keeps your plan on track.
Editorial disclosure: TopChoice is an independent editorial platform. Some pages may include clearly labelled featured placements for additional visibility. Featured placements do not influence rankings within our Top 3 lists.
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