Why being an investor shapes this adviser’s advice
Mortgage advisers have an opportunity to engage clients beyond purchases and refinances, according to Auckland adviser Alexander McAlpine (pictured).
The Vega Mortgages adviser was ranked in NZ Adviser’s Top Advisers 2026 list and named an excellence awardee for Adviser of the Year – Residential at the 2026 New Zealand Mortgage Awards. He said one of the challenges advisers face is finding time to balance new business with ongoing support for existing clients.
“I believe there’s an opportunity for advisers to be more proactive with existing clients, rather than only engaging when they’re purchasing or refinancing,” he said.
Technology to free up advice time
McAlpine sees technology as part of the answer.
“Technology and AI can help streamline processes and improve efficiency, allowing advisers to spend more time providing personalised advice and building long-term client relationships,” he said.
His view echoes the experts behind NZ Adviser’s 2026 Top Advisers ranking, who agreed AI is removing administrative friction but cannot replace the judgement, empathy, and trust borrowers expect from an adviser.
An investor’s perspective
McAlpine began his financial services career at BNZ in 2014 and became a mortgage adviser in 2017. He said his own property investing shapes how he works with clients.
“Being a property investor myself has given me valuable firsthand experience that I can bring to my clients,” he said.
McAlpine enjoys helping investors grow their portfolios, as well as clients who believe home ownership is out of reach because of their deposit, income, or past credit issues.
Relationships over transactions
Some of McAlpine’s clients have stayed with him for five, 10 or more years.
“It’s a great reminder that mortgage advising is about building long-term relationships, not just arranging loans,” he said.
McAlpine’s advice to new advisers is to be genuine, guard their reputation, and know more than lender policy, from property to loan structuring and personal finance.
His client focus has been recognised before: he was named among NZ Adviser’s Top Advisers for 2025 and 2022, and in its client-nominated Top 25 Brokers 2025.
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