FEATURED WINNER

Laura te Kaat

“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”

Kerri Reed, Premiere Mortgage Centre

Read on

WINNER: Liberty Adviser of the Year

www.themortgagegirls.co.nz

linkedin.com/company/spring-loans

laura@themortgagegirls.co.nz

0272 329 525

Winston House Level 1/7 Winston Avenue, Papanui, Christchurch 8053

Read on

WINNER: Liberty Adviser of the Year

Laura te Kaat

facebook.com/themortgagegirlsnz

@blackfishfinance

1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua

@transalta

“After winning Adviser of the Year at the 2024 New Zealand Mortgage Awards, I was frequently asked, ‘How do you girls do it? How can I be as successful as you?’,” says The Mortgage Girls’ Laura te Kaat. “I think it comes down to two things – genuinely wanting to help people, and a culture of always wanting more.

The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic. Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace. Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.

youtube.com/@canterburycollege-waterford

Mobile Mortgage Adviser

That’s exactly what you can expect from me and every member of The Mortgage Girls team. “I love helping people, regardless of their story or background. Sometimes I secure quick wins and get clients a better offer than they were expecting. Other wins take much longer – like putting debt reduction and savings plans in place that can take months or years to realise fully. I know if I do my best for clients, regardless of the outcome they will walk away feeling valued and tell all their friends and family about me. Plus, they’ll be armed with the tools to reach their financial goals. Win, win! “What does a culture of wanting more look like? Personally, I set goals and ferociously go after them. I want more for me and my life, the same as I want more for my customers and their lives. I don’t mean just financially. Every year I say I want to do exactly what I did last year but do it better. It’s this culture that drives me to stay in touch with my clients to ask what their next financial or life goals are. From helping them refix their mortgages to arranging refinancing that allows them to take a step onto the investment property ladder, I’ll continue to do my best for them as long as they’re my client. I take a holistic look at each situation, recommending trusted advisers and professionals who can support you during the next phase of your journey. These actions can’t always be counted in traditional lender metrics, but I firmly believe this is part of our duty of care to our clients. All of this has created a mindset that there is always room to improve and endless opportunities to grow. “Being part of The Mortgage Girls team is a dream. My success is shared by the team because our culture supports each one of us to deliver for our clients. The systems and processes behind the scenes that aren’t usually fun to talk about are what keep us on the ball and moving each client’s project forward. “Thanks again for this award, and for recognising the effort that I, and every member of The Mortgage Girls team, put into each and every one of our customers. I hope this lights a fire within my colleagues in the industry so we can collectively raise the standard. Because you should know I’ll be doing everything I can to collect this award again next year.”

Mobile Mortgage Adviser

@blackfishfinance