Why do I need a financial adviser?

Whether you're a doctor, lawyer, business owner, engineer or educator, you've likely spent years building knowledge and expertise in your profession. You're used to making important decisions, solving complex problems and being the person others turn to for advice. 

It takes a lot of work to reach that level of expertise. But when it comes to your financial future, there’s value in being a master of one than being a jack of all trades.  

Many people assume financial advice is only for those who need help managing their money. In reality, advice can also be valuable for people who are already engaged in their finances and want confidence that they're making the most of the opportunities available to them. 

Having an expert in your corner can help you sense-check important decisions, identify blind spots and bring together different parts of your financial life. 

According to the Financial Markets Authority’s (FMA) Access to Financial Advice in New Zealand: Consumer Research Findings report, only 28% of respondents had  used a financial adviser in the previous 12 months.  

MAS Members consistently tell us they value the guidance they receive. Since launching our Advice Survey in August 2026, we've found 95% of Members who met with a MAS Adviser said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, 94% felt their Adviser genuinely cared about helping them, and Advisers received an average score of 4.8 out of 5 for how easy it was to get the help Members needed. * 

For many Members, the conversation isn't about fixing a problem. It's about making sure their investments, insurance and financial plans are working together to support the future they want. 

Advice that reflects you 

One of the biggest benefits of working with a MAS Adviser is that they will look at the wider picture. No two Members have the situation and needs. 

MAS Advisers will consider your unique circumstances, life stage, priorities and plans for the future, which may include your insurance, investments and KiwiSaver account. 

And while information has become easier to access, generic advice can't account for individual circumstances. A MAS Adviser will consider all relevant factors and be able to give you advice on MAS products based on your life stage and goals. 

Matt Harvey, Chief Marketing and Distribution Officer at MAS says:  

“A financial strategy shouldn't start with products. It should start with people. At MAS, our advisers take the time to understand a Member's broader financial picture, including their goals, lifestyle, stage of life, investments, insurance and future plans. That allows us to provide advice that's practical, relevant and easy to apply in everyday life. 

With MAS, advice is also easy to access. We can meet Members where and when it suits them, whether that’s over the phone, online or in person. We want advice to feel approachable and straight forward, helping Members make confident decisions about their future.” 

Expertise extends beyond advice 

Beyond financial advice, having an expert in your corner also means having confidence that your investments are being managed by people with the experience, resources and insight to navigate global markets. 

With information so readily available including countless articles, podcasts, AI agents, social media commentators, and videos offering investment insights, it’s hard to decipher what’s useful. Access to information isn't the same as having a well-considered investment strategy. 

At MAS, we actively manage investments on behalf of Members and continually review our approach to ensure portfolios are positioned to support long-term financial objectives. 

As part of this commitment, we recently announced changes to our investment approach, including transitioning part of our international shares portfolio to a strategy actively managed by BlackRock, one of the world's largest investment managers. 

The strategy uses extensive research, data and sophisticated modelling to identify companies with strong long-term potential and complements MAS's existing investment styles, helping create a more diversified and resilient portfolio for Members. 

“Partnering with BlackRock brings a new perspective to our investments,” says Dan Mead, Head of Investment. “Their global reach, research capabilities and portfolio construction expertise strengthen the way we invest on behalf of Members and support our long-term focus.” 

The decision to move to BlackRock reflects a simple principle: when specialist expertise can strengthen outcomes for Members, it's worth bringing it to the table. 

Even experts need experts 

No matter how capable or successful you are, you don't need to be an expert in everything. 

Having an expert in your corner can help you navigate complexity, identify opportunities and make decisions with greater confidence. 

Because when it comes to your financial future, even experts need experts. 

Ready to see the bigger picture? Talk to a MAS Adviser and discover how expert advice can help you make more confident financial decisions.