From fire and general broker to top mortgage adviser
Laura Te Kaat (pictured), mobile mortgage adviser at The Mortgage Girls and a member of NZ Adviser’s Elite Women 2025 list, detailed her transition into mortgage advising, emphasising the importance of personalised strategies and thorough client support.
From fire and general broker to mortgage adviser
Te Kaat began her career as a fire and general broker in Christchurch, where she spent eight years dealing with earthquake-related claims. The intensity of this work led her to seek a change.
“I was exhausted and decided to take a slight diversion into the world of mortgage advising,” she said.
Her transition was swift.
“I knew Elyce (founder of The Mortgage Girls) from networking, and we had a brunch catch up and was hired before I had finished my poached eggs,” Te Kaat said.
Brokers’ growing recognition and market share
When asked about the most positive development in her field, Te Kaat highlighted the growing acknowledgment of brokers’ value.
“Having the public recognise the value we provide and therefore allowing our increase in market share at the banks,” she said.
Though New Zealand’s broker market share pales in comparison to Australia’s 75%, Te Kaat is optimistic about future growth.
“I can see us reaching that level in the next few years,” she said, acknowledging the challenges that accompany growth but emphasising the improved financial outcomes for clients.
Navigating delays and policy shifts in mortgage advising
Te Kaat pointed out several challenges currently facing the mortgage advising industry, including increased turnaround times at banks due to volume.
“This can be very frustrating for us and our customers,” she said.
As a solution, Te Kaat suggested “setting realistic expectations from the get-go, but also banks onboarding staff faster/sooner because market share is growing so they should be prepared.”
She also touched on the constant changes to bank policy, compliance, and legislation, which she believes are well-managed by aggregators and professional bodies.
Laura te Kaat’s triumph
Reflecting on a standout moment in her career, Te Kaat recalled winning “Adviser of the Year” in 2024 as a significant achievement.
“I never expected this and coming out of an extremely tumultuous 18 months in my personal life I realised that there is always opportunity in adversity,” she said.
Advice from award-winning adviser
For those new to the field or considering a career in mortgage advising, Te Kaat offers sage advice.
“From first homes to refixing mortgages or refinancing that helps you onto the investment property ladder, I’ll always do my best for people,” the award-winning financial adviser said.
She emphasised the importance of taking a holistic view of each client’s situation and collaborates with trusted professionals to support their financial journey.
“I know if I do my best for them, regardless of the outcome, they’ll walk away feeling valued and armed with the tools to reach their financial goals,” Te Kaat said. “That’s definitely a win-win.”
