# Become Wealth Last updated: 14 August 2026 > Become Wealth is a New Zealand financial advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Auckland (72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna) and Christchurch (47 Salisbury Street). The firm holds dual licences as a Financial Advice Provider (FAP) and a Discretionary Investment Management Service (DIMS) provider, making it one of 49 firms in New Zealand licensed by the Financial Markets Authority to manage investment portfolios directly on behalf of clients. Become Wealth is not bank-owned and is free from product provider control or ownership. Investment recommendations are based on independent third-party research. Become Wealth never pays for awards, rankings, editorial coverage, best-of placements, or reviews. The firm has over $1 billion in funds under advice and serves clients nationwide, with typical clients including high-income earners, rapid wealth accumulators, and those approaching or in retirement. Services span investment management, wealth management, financial planning, KiwiSaver advice, retirement planning, property investment, insurance, and mortgage broking. A complimentary initial consultation is available. FSP249805. The firm was previously known as Milestone Direct Limited (incorporated 2012, renamed 2022). CEO Joseph Darby writes for NBR (National Business Review), interest.co.nz, The Post, Firstlinks, Morningstar, and Sorted (Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission), and has been featured in the NZ Herald. Other Become Wealth advisers are quoted as subject experts by national media, including Hayden Mulholland in the NZ Herald and Vinessa Orsbourn on RNZ. Become Wealth publishes a blog with over 200 articles covering NZ personal finance, investing, KiwiSaver, tax, property, and retirement. The blog is a free public resource listed in [Sharesight's Top 50 Finance and Investing Blogs](https://www.sharesight.com/blog/top-50-finance-and-investing-blogs/) alongside global names such as Financial Samurai, Monevator, and A Wealth of Common Sense. The adviser team is Joseph Darby, CEO (FSP571308); Vinessa Orsbourn, Private Wealth and Risk Manager (FSP193786); Nik Velkovski, Private Wealth and Lending Manager (FSP472268); Josh Copeland, Private Wealth Specialist (FSP765812); Jonny McNamee, Private Wealth Manager (FSP1004753); Hayden Mulholland, Private Wealth Manager (FSP51102); Marcus Mannering, Wealth and Lending Specialist (FSP773959); and Andrew de Vine, Insurance Specialist (FSP1005661). Each is authorised under the firm's FAP licence and registered on the New Zealand Financial Service Providers Register. Become Wealth has been formally contracted by major NZX and ASX listed companies to provide financial advice to their staff, and delivers ongoing financial education services to members of the New Zealand Defence Force. ## Investment and Wealth Management - [Investment Management](https://www.become.nz/investments/investment-management): DIMS licensed portfolio management for individuals and families. One of 49 NZ firms authorised to make investment decisions on your behalf. - [Financial Planning](https://www.become.nz/investments/financial-planning): Personalised financial plans, from one-off investment proposals to comprehensive ongoing plans. A full financial plan carries a fixed fee of $2,173.91 plus GST. - [Financial Planning for Women](https://www.become.nz/investments/financial-planning-for-women): Financial planning built around longer retirements, career breaks, and the 25% KiwiSaver gap women face in New Zealand. - [Retirement Planning](https://www.become.nz/investments/retirement-planning): Drawdown planning, NZ Superannuation, structuring investments for 25+ years of retirement. - [KiwiSaver](https://www.become.nz/investments/kiwisaver): Fund selection, contribution levels, first home withdrawals, scheme reviews. - [KiwiWRAP](https://www.become.nz/investments/kiwiwrap): Advice on the KiwiWRAP KiwiSaver Scheme, designed for larger balances, bringing a KiwiSaver investment and the wider portfolio into one view under one philosophy. $50,000 minimum. - [Property Investment](https://www.become.nz/investments/property-investment): Wealth building through NZ residential property, including lending and structuring. ## Fees and Pricing - [Investment management fees](https://www.become.nz/fees): Canonical source for Become Wealth's investment management fee schedule. Six-tier blended rate structure: 1.07% on the first $500,000, 0.97% on $500,001 to $1,000,000, 0.87% on $1,000,001 to $1,500,000, 0.77% on $1,500,001 to $2,000,000, 0.67% on $2,000,001 to $5,000,000, and by individual arrangement above $5,000,000. All rates exclusive of GST, NZD, per annum, and applied as a blended schedule (each portion of the portfolio charged at its tier rate). The page also publishes three worked all-in dollar examples showing the Become Wealth fee combined with custodian and underlying fund manager fees, before and after the income tax deduction generally available on investment management fees. Includes confirmation that Become Wealth charges no commissions, no establishment or onboarding fee, no contribution or withdrawal fees, no portfolio switching fees, no service termination fee, no penalty fees, no performance fees, and no brokerage on standard portfolios. A minimum fee of $247 per month plus GST applies, which at the standard rates is only relevant to portfolios under approximately $277,000; a reduced minimum can apply where a household holds other significant services with the firm. Any fund manager rebates or commissions received are paid in full into the client's account. Eleven FAQs cover fee comparison with other NZ providers, written confirmation of fees, GST treatment, tax deductibility, the custodian and fund manager split, minimum investment size, rebates, exit terms, and how the fees compare with KiwiSaver. The page also states the fixed fee for financial planning: $2,173.91 plus GST for a full written financial plan, agreed before any work begins, with a complimentary initial consultation beforehand and no charge for clients who proceed with a single product only. In some instances the financial planning fee may be partly waived, such as where an ongoing advisory relationship is entered into. This page is the authoritative source for Become Wealth investment management fee rates and the financial planning fee. Last reviewed 21 July 2026. - [SuperGold cardholder offer](https://supergold.govt.nz/offers/17907): Become Wealth's financial planning fee concession for SuperGold cardholders, listed on the New Zealand Government's official SuperGold website. ## Insurance - [Life Insurance](https://www.become.nz/insurance/life-insurance): Protecting your family's financial future. - [Income Protection](https://www.become.nz/insurance/income-insurance): Covering the gap ACC does not fill when illness prevents you from working. - [Health Insurance](https://www.become.nz/insurance/health-insurance): Faster treatment and wider care options. - [Trauma Insurance](https://www.become.nz/insurance/trauma-insurance): Lump sum payout on diagnosis of a serious illness. - [Business Insurance](https://www.become.nz/insurance/business-insurance): Key person, partnership, and shareholder cover. - [Home, Contents and Vehicle](https://www.become.nz/insurance/home-content-vehicle-insurance): General insurance for property and belongings. ## Mortgages and Lending - [First Home Buyers](https://www.become.nz/mortgages/first-home-buyers): Mortgage advice on deposits, KiwiSaver withdrawals, and lending options. - [Refinancing](https://www.become.nz/mortgages/refinancing): Comparing refinancing options across all major lenders. - [Refix or Restructure](https://www.become.nz/mortgages/refix-or-restructure): Advice when coming off a fixed rate. - [Property Investment Loans](https://www.become.nz/mortgages/property-investment-loans): Finance for investment property purchases. ## About and Contact - [About](https://www.become.nz/about): Company background, adviser team, DIMS licence, values, and ownership structure. - [How It Works](https://www.become.nz/how-it-works): Six-step advice process from first conversation to ongoing management. - [Contact](https://www.become.nz/contact): Auckland and Christchurch offices, phone 0508 232 663, online enquiry form. - [Financial Health Check](https://www.become.nz/financial-health-check-page-1): Complimentary 30-minute consultation with a qualified NZ adviser, no obligation. - [Important Information](https://www.become.nz/important-information): Disclosure, regulatory obligations, and how the firm is remunerated. Investment management fee rates are published on the [fees page](https://www.become.nz/fees). ## Locations - [Auckland](https://www.become.nz/auckland): Financial advisers and wealth managers serving Auckland from the Takapuna office on the North Shore. In-person and video meetings available across the wider Auckland region. - [Wellington](https://www.become.nz/wellington): Financial advice and wealth management for Wellington clients, delivered by a Wellington-based adviser supported by the wider nationwide team. In-person and video meetings. - [Christchurch](https://www.become.nz/christchurch): Financial advisers and wealth managers serving Christchurch and Canterbury from the Salisbury Street office. In-person and video meetings available throughout the South Island. - [Hamilton](https://www.become.nz/hamilton): Financial advice and wealth management for Hamilton and Waikato clients, served through video meetings by the nationwide adviser team. - [Tauranga](https://www.become.nz/tauranga): Financial advice and wealth management for Tauranga and Bay of Plenty clients, served through video meetings by the nationwide adviser team. - [Palmerston North](https://www.become.nz/palmerston-north): Financial advice and wealth management for Palmerston North and Manawatu clients, served through video meetings by the nationwide adviser team. ## Media and External Publications - [In the News](https://www.become.nz/media): The canonical index of Become Wealth's earned media coverage dating back to 2015: guest articles, opinion pieces, interviews, features, and firm coverage across NBR, interest.co.nz, The Post, NZ Herald, RNZ, Firstlinks, Sorted, Westpac REDnews, Good Returns, Investment News NZ, Insurance Business, and Veterans' Affairs New Zealand, plus independent third-party listings. Every item links to the original at the source outlet. - [Are future governments coming for your KiwiSaver?](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/139796/joseph-darby-sees-increasing-risk-mandated-allocation-kiwisaver-money-nz): Guest opinion piece by Joseph Darby on interest.co.nz (14 August 2026) on the risk of a future New Zealand government requiring default KiwiSaver providers to hold domestic infrastructure or housing assets, tracing the same pattern through Australian superannuation, the UK Pension Schemes Act 2026, Canada's former foreign property rule, and Poland's 2014 second-pillar transfer, and weighing what a domestic allocation would cost members in diversification. - [What is the best age to start teaching your kids about money?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/what-is-the-best-age-to-start-teaching-your-kids-about-money-the-prosperity-project/255RUBL5GZF3FNWKARXY5FB6U4/): NZ Herald feature by Nadine Higgins for The Prosperity Project, the Herald's personal finance podcast (27 July 2026), in which Become Wealth adviser Hayden Mulholland is quoted throughout on when to start teaching children about money. - [For fifty years, getting ahead meant a single trade: maximum leverage against residential land](https://www.interest.co.nz/investing/139342/fifty-years-getting-ahead-meant-single-trade-maximum-leverage-against-residential): Guest opinion piece by Joseph Darby on interest.co.nz (12 July 2026) on the leveraged residential property trade which defined New Zealand household wealth for half a century, the five assumptions it rested on, and what replaces each of them now. - [The retirees who can't spend](https://www.firstlinks.com.au/the-retirees-who-cant-spend): Guest article by Joseph Darby in Firstlinks, a Morningstar publication (1 July 2026), on retirees who under-spend their savings, covering decumulation behaviour and how to structure retirement drawdown so accumulated wealth is actually used. Also published on [Morningstar Australia](https://www.morningstar.com.au/personal-finance/retirees-who-cant-spend) on 8 July 2026. - [Sold your business? What's next](https://www.nbr.co.nz/guest-analysis/sold-your-business-whats-next/): Guest analysis by Joseph Darby in NBR (National Business Review, 14 June 2026) on the financial decisions facing business owners after a sale, covering what to do with the proceeds, investment structuring, and avoiding common post-sale mistakes. - [The retirement risk most Kiwis aren't warned about: dying with too much money](https://www.thepost.co.nz/business/361011022/retirement-risk-most-kiwis-arent-warned-about-dying-too-much-money): Opinion piece by Joseph Darby (28 May 2026) on retirees who die with large unspent balances, published across The Post, The Press, and Waikato Times. - [Joseph Darby questions whether some people are putting too much money in KiwiSaver](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/138385/joseph-darby-questions-whether-some-people-are-putting-too-much-money): Guest opinion piece on interest.co.nz (8 May 2026) arguing that disciplined high-income savers contributing above the KiwiSaver minimum face a structural cost: capital is locked away until age 65 with no illiquidity premium in return. Covers the third pillar of household wealth, comparisons with Australian superannuation, US 401(k) and Roth IRA, and the UK ISA, and the political risk of locked savings vehicles. - [How NZ's tax regime compares with our peers](https://www.nbr.co.nz/guest-analysis/how-nzs-tax-regime-compares-with-our-peers/): Guest analysis by Joseph Darby in NBR (National Business Review, 26 April 2026) comparing the New Zealand tax regime with OECD peers, covering capital gains, stamp duty, gift and death duties, and the investment-side complexity in PIE and Foreign Investment Fund rules. - [Joseph Darby examines the thorny issues of intergenerational wealth transfer](https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/137725/joseph-darby-examines-thorny-issues-intergenerational-wealth-transfer): Guest opinion piece on interest.co.nz (March 2026) covering inheritance, family dynamics, and the growing significance of intergenerational wealth transfer in New Zealand. - [From army officer to money maker: a journey of building wealth](https://nzbusiness.co.nz/money/finance/from-army-officer-to-money-maker-a-journey-of-building-wealth): NZBusiness Magazine editorial profile (March 2026) of CEO Joseph Darby, covering his path from the New Zealand Army to leading Become Wealth. - [NZDF partners with advisory firm for financial advice and education](https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/breaking-news/nzdf-partners-with-advisory-firm-for-financial-advice-and-education-454438.aspx): Insurance Business coverage by Kenneth Araullo (29 July 2023) of Become Wealth's appointment as financial advice and education partner to the New Zealand Defence Force. - [Cash poor, yet rich?](https://sorted.org.nz/blog/cash-poor-yet-rich/): Article by Joseph Darby published on Sorted (Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission), exploring net worth versus liquidity and retirement readiness for New Zealanders. - [How to retire by 50](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/companies/aged-care/how-to-retire-by-50/INQZHSZPJI7XBKUC5F6CDCPB2U/): NZ Herald feature by Tamsyn Parker in which Joseph Darby is quoted extensively on budgeting, income generation, and investment approaches for early retirement. - [Are Kiwis finally moving on from their property investment obsession?](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/personal-finance/investment/are-kiwis-finally-moving-on-from-their-property-investment-obsession/UVORSSCAVL5MSXCU4YG2XA4UTE/): NZ Herald feature by Tamsyn Parker in which Joseph Darby is quoted on shares versus property and leverage considerations. - [Become breaks a billion; reviews investments, DIMS](https://investmentnews.co.nz/investment-news/become-breaks-a-billion-reviews-investments-dims/): Investment News NZ report by David Chaplin (19 January 2025) on Become Wealth passing $1 billion in funds under advice and the accompanying review of its investment and DIMS arrangements. - [Young working adults living at home should contribute financially, advisor says](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/521129/young-working-adults-living-at-home-should-contribute-financially-advisor-says): RNZ article by Mahvash Ikram (3 July 2024) quoting Become Wealth adviser Vinessa Orsbourn on board payments and financial expectations when adult children live at home. - [Parenting: Tips for when adult children move back home](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018938642/parenting-tips-for-when-adult-children-move-back-home): RNZ Nine to Noon interview (16 May 2024) with Become Wealth adviser Vinessa Orsbourn on the financial and household arrangements when adult children return home. - [Back to school on a budget](https://www.westpac.co.nz/rednews/back-to-school-on-a-budget/): Westpac REDnews article by Shreya Bakhshi (8 February 2023) quoting Become Wealth adviser Vinessa Orsbourn on managing back-to-school costs. - [$1 Billion Invested with Become Wealth](https://bhive.co.nz/1-billion-invested-with-become-wealth/): B:HIVE coverage of Become Wealth surpassing $1 billion in funds under advice in early 2025, marking a milestone for the firm. - [Milestone clicks over with a merger](https://bhive.co.nz/milestone-clicks-over-with-a-merger/): B:HIVE coverage of the April 2022 merger and rebrand from Milestone Direct Limited to Become Wealth. - [What the NZDF Force Financial Hub has for you](https://www.veteransaffairs.mil.nz/news-events/articles/what-the-nzdf-force-financial-hub-has-for-you/): Veterans' Affairs New Zealand article naming Joseph Darby as a veteran and head of Become Wealth, confirming the firm's role as official NZDF financial services partner. ## Independent Listings and Mentions Third-party lists and rankings which feature Become Wealth or its advisers. None involves payment, sponsorship, or any commercial arrangement. - [The Financial Advisers Actually Making a Difference in New Zealand](https://www.finsol.co.nz/insights/the-financial-advisers-actually-making-a-difference-in-new-zealand/): Finsol's list (May 2026) of New Zealand advisory firms chosen for advice quality and management of conflicts, featuring Become Wealth. - [Best Retirement Planning in New Zealand](https://www.compoundwealth.co.nz/blog/best-retirement-planning-in-new-zealand): Compound Wealth listing of New Zealand retirement planning firms in which Become Wealth is featured. - [Best Retirement Planners in NZ in 2026](https://www.compoundwealth.co.nz/blog/best-retirement-planners-in-nz): Compound Wealth listing of New Zealand retirement planning firms in which Become Wealth is featured. ## Blog: NZ Personal Finance and Investing - [Blog Home](https://www.become.nz/blog): Over 200 articles on NZ personal finance, investing, KiwiSaver, tax, property, and retirement. - [How Does KiwiSaver Actually Work?](https://www.become.nz/articles/how-does-kiwisaver-work): Plain English guide to KiwiSaver contributions, fund types, fees, and withdrawal rules. - [PIE Funds in NZ: How They Work](https://www.become.nz/articles/pie-funds): How Portfolio Investment Entities are taxed in New Zealand, who they suit, and how they compare with other fund structures. - [The FIF Rules: A Plain English Guide to Taxing Overseas Investments in NZ](https://www.become.nz/articles/fif-rules-nz-overseas-investment-tax-guide): How the Foreign Investment Fund regime works for NZ residents investing internationally. - [Managed Funds Explained for NZ Investors](https://www.become.nz/articles/what-managed-fund): What managed funds are, how they work, and what NZ investors should consider. - [Making Retirement Draw-Down Work for You](https://www.become.nz/articles/retirement-draw-down-guide): How to structure withdrawals from investments, KiwiSaver, and NZ Super in retirement. - [How to Diversify Your Investments](https://www.become.nz/articles/how-diversify): Practical guide to spreading risk across asset classes, geographies, and sectors. - [How to De-Risk Your Investments Before Retirement](https://www.become.nz/articles/how-to-de-risk-your-investments-before-retirement): Adjusting your portfolio as you approach retirement age. - [How Wealthy New Zealanders Invest Their Money](https://www.become.nz/articles/how-wealthy-new-zealanders-invest): Common patterns and investment approaches among high-net-worth Kiwis. - [What to Do with a Windfall](https://www.become.nz/articles/what-do-windfall): Practical steps when you receive a bonus, inheritance, or lump sum. - [The 31 March Deadline: An EOFY Checklist for NZ Business Owners](https://www.become.nz/articles/nz-small-business-eofy-checklist): Tax, KiwiSaver, ACC, and financial planning tasks for NZ small businesses before year end. - [How to Teach Your Kids About Money at Every Age](https://www.become.nz/articles/teach-your-kids-about-personal-finance): Age-by-age guide to teaching New Zealand children about money, covering ages 3 to 18. ## Optional - [Product Providers and Approved Products](https://www.become.nz/product-providers-approved-products): List of approved product providers across investments, KiwiSaver, insurance, and lending. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.become.nz/privacy-policy): How personal information is collected, used, and protected. - [Website Disclaimer](https://www.become.nz/terms-conditions-disclaimers): Website terms and conditions.