Case Studies
Real people. Real numbers. Real outcomes.
We don't trade in vague promises. These are anonymised stories from actual client situations — showing what structured financial advice looks like in practice.
Categories: First Home Buyers | Property Investors | Insurance Claims | KiwiSaver Wins | Retirement Planning.
Articles / Blog
Straight answers to the questions we hear every week.
Short, plain-language articles on the topics that matter most — mortgage structuring, KiwiSaver strategy, insurance gaps, investment basics, and what's changed in the market.
Browse all articles →Videos
See how we think — in under five minutes.
Short explainer videos covering the questions we're asked most. Each one is a single topic, clearly explained — no jargon, no sales pitch.
Watch the series →Guides
Practical guides for the big financial moments.
Downloadable or in-page guides to help you prepare for — and make the most of — your most important financial decisions.
- First Home Buyer Checklist — from KiwiSaver to settlement
- The Mortgage Restructure Checklist — before your fixed rate expires
- Insurance Review Guide — what to check and why
- KiwiSaver Fund Selector Guide — conservative vs. growth, explained
- Pre-retirement Checklist — the 10 things to sort before you stop working
Mortgages
How do I know if I'm on the right mortgage structure?
Answer to be supplied.
Can you work with my existing bank, or do I have to switch?
Answer to be supplied.
What's a cashback and do I qualify?
Answer to be supplied.
When should we talk to Auro about buying our first home?
The earlier the better! Even if you think you are 2 to 3 years away from buying a home, come and talk to us because we may be able to get you there sooner than you think. Whether it’s getting your savings working smarter, or consolidating debts you may have, we’ll give you a greater array of options than you may have considered.
Which lenders do Auro work with?
We are accredited with all the main banks as well as several other companies that provide mortgage lending. We are seeing more and more clients get really good outcomes with non-bank lenders – think of them as a smaller ‘bank’ that can offer a more individualised solution for you. They are more forgiving in regards to your chosen profession, employment history, loan purpose and will consider your situation even if you do not have impeccable account conduct or credit history for example.
How much can I borrow?
When determining how much you can borrow lenders will look at a number of factors including, your income, credit history and employment circumstances. Each lender has its own criteria when assessing how much you can borrow – we understand that and are experienced at working with multiple lenders to get the best option for you.
What interest rate will you get for my home loan?
Interest rates are set by the lender based on the size of your loan relative to the house price and your deposit. We’ll also help you focus on the best rate at which to pay your home loan to maximise your investment, not just the interest rate yourself.
How long is the pre-approval process?
Once we have your completed information and necessary documentation, we’ll send your application off to a lender within 24 hours. Typically, pre-approval from a lender will take 5-10 working days.
When do I pay the deposit?
This will depend on the method of purchase – auction, tender, private sale. It is generally payable once all the terms in a Sale & Purchase agreement have been met and an ‘unconditional’ offer is accepted by the seller (unless you are required to pay the deposit upon signing the contract).
Can I use a guarantee?
If you haven’t quite reached a 20% deposit, then your family can guarantee the difference, or the entire 20%! This is capped at 20% of the house price so that they don’t risk losing everything if things don’t work out!
What other costs do I need to consider when buying my first home?
Generally, you’ll need to allow for all or some of; solicitor’s fees, LIM + building reports, registered valuations, house insurance etc. It could be between $2,000-$5,000, but we’ll help you work out a budget to allow for these as part of the overall cost of purchase.
Insurance
Do I need insurance if I already have ACC?
Answer to be supplied.
What's the difference between trauma cover and income protection?
Answer to be supplied.
How often should I review my insurance?
Answer to be supplied.
I've heard personal risk insurance can be expensive — how do I decide what's most important and still protect my family?
That’s exactly where professional advice makes the difference. The financial modelling we conduct provides clear insight into what types of insurance are appropriate, how much cover you actually need, and how long you may need it for.
Understanding this helps structure your policy intelligently — ensuring you’re protected where it matters most, without paying for unnecessary cover. Balancing cost is always important, and our modelling software shows what’s reasonable to spend based on your wider financial goals and obligations.
What type of insurance should I really have?
It depends on what you want insurance to do. Some policies focus on small, everyday claims — a GP visit here or a pair of glasses there. But when it really matters, those benefits won’t come close to covering life-saving treatment or specialist care that isn’t funded publicly.
We focus on the kind of insurance that actually protects your life and future income — the cover that gives you access to advanced treatments, offshore options, and financial stability when you need it most.
Why is the right insurance advice so important?
Because not all insurance is created equal — and many policies leave you exposed when you can least afford it. Low-benefit and well known policies, like Southern Cross, contribute little toward serious illness or non-Pharmac-funded medications, meaning you may end up relying on crowdfunding or public health care.
Our job is to ensure you never face that scenario. We’ll help you structure the right level of cover from the start, with transparency about what really matters and what doesn’t. The goal isn’t small reimbursements — it’s protecting your ability to survive, recover, and keep your financial future intact.
I am self-employed – do I need to switch to ACC Cover Plus Extra?
‘ACC Cover Plus Extra’ is an alternative – arguably much better, ACC plan available for anyone self-employed. As this is an insurance product, we always recommend seeking advice from the Auro team regarding the benefits to restructuring your ACC. Generally, we will sit with you and show you how to get better, smarter cover with private insurance and make significant savings on your ACC levies.
KiwiSaver
How do I know if I'm in the right fund?
Answer to be supplied.
Can I change my KiwiSaver provider?
Answer to be supplied.
How do I use my KiwiSaver towards a deposit?
If you are buying your first home and you wish to put your KiwiSaver towards the deposit, then your solicitor must apply to withdraw those funds on your behalf. You will need to allow time for this to happen, typically 12-15 working days, and may wish to include this in the terms of the Sale & Purchase agreement to ensure the funds are in place on time. Don’t worry we’ll guide you through the process when the time comes!
Which KiwiSaver providers do you recommend?
It’s neither practical nor necessary to hold an agency with every KiwiSaver provider — and we choose not to. Instead, we partner with a select group of expert KiwiSaver investment providers who have proven track records, experienced teams, and consistent long-term performance.
Some providers’ investment philosophies are highly niche or overly concentrated in certain sectors or themes. We prefer to avoid approaches driven by hype, short-term trends, or personal ideologies.
Our focus is simple — to recommend KiwiSaver providers with disciplined investment processes, strong governance, and alignment with your long-term financial goals.
How do advised clients end up with higher KiwiSaver balances than those who aren't advised?
Research consistently shows that New Zealanders who receive professional financial advice have significantly higher KiwiSaver balances than those who don’t. The reason is simple — advised clients are more likely to:
- Be in the right fund type for their goals and risk profile.
- Contribute strategically, using voluntary or employer top-ups to maximise returns.
- Review and adjust their strategy regularly as income, markets, and life stages change.
We use financial planning software to show how even small changes in fund selection, contribution rate, or investment time horizon can dramatically increase long-term outcomes. Good advice doesn’t just set and forget — it keeps your KiwiSaver working as hard as you do.
How much KiwiSaver do I need?
A good rule of thumb is to aim for a KiwiSaver balance equal to at least your annual income by age 30, three times your income by 40, and six times by 50.
But everyone’s goals are different — the “right” number depends on when you want to retire, how much you’ll need to live comfortably, are you expecting an inheritance or business sale, and what other investments you hold.
We model your full financial picture to show exactly what your KiwiSaver balance should look like to keep you on track for long-term wealth and financial freedom with the above in mind.
Working with Auro
Do you charge for your advice?
Answer to be supplied.
How long does the process take?
Answer to be supplied.
What if I don't live in Auckland…or New Zealand?
We have helped clients throughout New Zealand buy property, either to live in or as an investment, and provided them with peace of mind by arranging the right type of insurance specific to their needs. If you live outside New Zealand and want to buy? No problem! With the technology available to all of us, it is easy to secure a property ready for you when you choose to return to NZ no matter where you are currently in the world.
Why should we talk with Auro about our long-term financial goals?
A single piece of quality financial advice can significantly change your outlook and future options. At Auro, we model your financial position before and after our advice — showing clearly how your net worth can improve over time through smarter decisions.
As more Kiwis seek genuine understanding around money, we believe advice should be completely transparent and evidence-based. No “rules of thumb” or guesswork — just clear, data-driven insights that show exactly how to build long-term financial success.
Why should we talk with Auro about our long-term financial goals?
We believe more 30- and 40-year-old Kiwis can build $10M net worth by 65 — especially when they start early and take a strategic approach.
Many of our clients are already on track for significant financial freedom and the ability to make meaningful life choices. Our 360-degree strategy brings your insurance, property, KiwiSaver, and investments together — and shows you how to make it possible.
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