Bees, wine, and Maori connections: Storytelling from a Kiwi

For episode five of Advice Around the World, we speak to Nick Stewart, CEO of New Zealand-based planning firm Stewart Group. We begin by discussing Stewart’s Ngai Tahu ancestry, and what these Maori roots mean to him as a person. From there the conversation turns to beekeeping and wine, and starts to head down paths that are not well traveled in the financial podcast genre. We do, nonetheless, get some top level tips on how to improve financial planning, both at an individual business level, and in a wider context. Stewart admits that New Zealand is not a pioneering nation in terms of financial planning, but explains that this should not stop aspirational firms in challenging locations.  Also, they say you should never discuss politics at the dinner table. Thankfully none of us were sitting at one, as Stewart details his interest in politics, and why he thinks advisers should speak up to improve regulation and the reputation of their profession. It is easy for us all to complain about how things should be better, and Stewart outlines the importance of turning irritation into action.