Winner and event partner recap
Weeks after the New Zealand Mortgage Awards (NZMAs), the event partner and two award winners reflect on the laughter, recognition, and other memorable moments of a successful evening.
In its fourth year, the 2024 NZMAs boasted a guest list brimming with the mortgage industry’s best and brightest, with 300 of New Zealand’s finest packed into the iconic Auckland War Memorial Museum on April 11.
A total of 87 excellence awardees eagerly awaited their name to be called out by the emcee, journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton (pictured top centre left), after Haka the Legend kicked things off with a special welcome ceremony.
The cocktail-style gala quickly turned into a celebration of excellence across 16 diverse categories, recognising the individuals and organisations who consistently pushed the boundaries and elevated the mortgage lending landscape in 2023/24.
NZ Mortgage Awards: That winning feeling
One such industry leader was Gus Evans (pictured top far left and below left), director of Spring Loans and winner of Avanti Finance commercial finance adviser of the year at the 2024 NZ Mortgage Awards.
After being the runner up last year, Evans had set his sights on winning the award in 2024.
“It’s personally really satisfying as it’s the culmination of many, many hours of hard work, professionally,” he said. “It’s actually a recognition of how many clients I’ve saved money, helped them grow their business, achieve business ownership dreams.”
Evans said the event was a “great night to celebrate success” and to catch up with old friends and colleagues. In particular, he said it was “really special” to receive the award from “great mate” Nathan Miglani (pictured below right) – managing director and head of lending at NZ Mortgages.
“New Zealand is a small place, and it seems like a large percentage of the top quality people share the same profession as me,” he said. “Our industry is one which you would think encourages a ‘lone shark’ mentality but to be honest everyone was celebrating each other’s success which is really encouraging.”
NZ Mortgage Awards: Sponsors and partners
Organised by Key Media, the New Zealand Mortgage Awards couldn’t go ahead without the extensive support of its event partner, Liberty.
Liberty CEO Aaron Skilton (pictured top centre right) said the nonbank lender was “proud” to help deliver a “fantastic event in an iconic venue”.
“The number of attendees was significantly higher than previously and the calibre of people nominated for awards, and in the room on the evening, was impressive,” Skilton said. “It was a positive and inspiring evening that truly showcased the hard work and accomplishments of the best of our industry.
“We extend special congratulations to both Danielle Happy and Satyan Mehra for their win in the Adviser of the Year – Specialist Lending category and Laura Te Kaat for her win as Liberty Adviser of the Year.”
The event was also supported by a distinguished group of sponsors, including Avanti Finance, Finsure New Zealand, First Mortgage Trust, Link Financial Group, NZFSG, Pepper Money, Prospa, Resimac, and Basecorp Finance.
After the awards ceremony hosted by NZ Adviser, the premier resource for New Zealand's innovative mortgage professionals, attendees had the opportunity to continue the celebration and dance to the music of international DJ Phoebe Falconer.
Overall, Ben Mune (pictured top far right), adviser at Ascend Financial Services and winner of the First Mortgage Trust new adviser of the year, summed it up perfectly.
“The event was a blast, with a good atmosphere and open bar,” he said.
“I think our industry is full of really cool people, everyone shares a similar mentality of working really hard, but also like to play hard. So no matter what even our industry runs, everyone always finds a way to have a good time and this was no difference.”
You can find a list of all the winners below or at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards website.
How did you find the NZ Mortgage Awards night? Comment below.
