Why Ungaro & Co?
- We don’t just advise – we strategise. Our industry often incentivises volume over value, pushing advisors to churn out recommendations without considering their real impact. But we break that mold. We’re not here to simply tell you what you want to hear, but to deliver the critical insights you need. Our primary goal? Act in your best interest to manifest successful results, rather than simply executing tasks.
- We’re more than local – we’re specialised. We work with experts who excel in their fields and appreciate the value of collaboration with like-minded professionals. We’re not your run-of-the-mill financial advisory service churning out cookie-cutter advice.
- We genuinely want you to be wealthy. Be it property, insurance, KiwiSaver or other forms of investments, they are simply the means to your ends. We embrace a ‘lens-shifting’ strategy that focuses on your short, medium, and long-term goals to unlock the paths to prosperity you might not yet see.
- Our voice is unique, and we’re not afraid to use it. In a world where social and mainstream media often echo redundant tips and tricks, we strive to challenge the status quo. Darcy, your weekly podcast host, is on a mission to bridge the gap between the knowledge ‘out there’ and you, serving as a conduit of professional growth and community service.
- We believe there are two forms of financial advice. At Ungaro & Co, we offer a unique fee-only advice service to ensure our initial advice to you is completely disconnected to any commercial outcome. Our goal is to democratise access to financial advice, free from the pressure to act on recommendations. For advice connected to the implementation of a mortgage, insurance policy, or KiwiSaver, where possible, we’ll elect to receive a commission to lower your costs.
- We embrace technology, but we’re not ruled by it. Tech is our ally, a tool that we’re constantly evolving to ensure we meet your needs most efficiently. We’re here to innovate your financial journey, not to let technology dictate it.
The Organisation
Big when we need to be, small in times of change – longevity is the true measure of success in the financial services industry – there’s no point selling the sizzle when you can’t be there to enjoy the results with others. In the short 19 years of trading we’re still dealing with most of our original clients and we’re witnessing the fruits of following great advice.
At Ungaro & Co your adviser is a qualified financial adviser who is engaged to to Ungaro & Co (the Financial Advice Provider). The specific adviser you’ll be dealing with is based on the type of advice you require. There’s never going to be a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to giving financial advice with Ungaro & Co and whilst that poses a challenge in terms of ‘scale’, it does ensure that the adviser is accountable and is encouraged to give specific financial advice to clients – not ‘tips and tricks’.
In 2021, there is a new framework in New Zealand where financial advisers will be held to an even higher account. Ungaro & Co has a provisional FAP (Financial Advice Provider) license with the FMA and has already completed much of the work required for the full transition.
Our Clients
What our clients have in common?
They value our insight, originality, and independence when advice is given.
They value the relationship – built right from the start, it’s a fruitful partnership for life, that our clients share with others.
Clients of ours have a positive outlook on life in general‚ look for the best in others – they are seeking wealth, knowing there’s more than enough of it to go around.
Our clients are ‘successful’, but not just with their careers, and they value what we bring to their team.
Our Process
1 –Let’s establish if we can help first and foremost. At the outset let’s have a free, no obligation 15-min phone call to find out if there’s value to you in what we do. If we cannot help, don’t worry – we’ll let you know!
2- If we can help, let’s meet! At this meeting, more often than not via Zoom, we’ll help you discover and define where you’re going financially. Once we know about where you want to go, we can discuss how to get there. Following our meeting, you’ll receive a written summary of advice, and if you want help arranging something further, we’ll clarify the costs and agree on the scope of the work to be undertaken.
3- Implementation: Financial advice is provided on a fee-basis upfront, with no expectations to proceed with with a recommendation. If you have asked us to implement a financial product though (mortgages, insurances, or KiwiSaver), then there’s usually not fees for this.
4- Review. Most of our clients participate in periodic reviews. Staying connected is the part of our job that makes the biggest difference in your world – you’ll end up investing a lot of who you are with us, and this will return a dividend in the long run.
Advised New Zealanders are twice as likely
as unadvised New Zealanders to feel at least
reasonably prepared for retirement *.
Ungaro and Co has developed a policies and procedures guide that covers things like business continuity, safety and security of staff, technology and security. Should something go wrong, we also have processes in place to resolve complaints – you can learn more about this here: How to make a complaint.
What We Believe …
A financial adviser should be someone you can relate to – we all want to provide for our families and we’d also like to make an impact on things we believe in. Ungaro & Co is a niche business operating in your community – we’re not a corporate machine churning out the numbers.
Financial Literacy: We believe NZ children are not being taught enough from their schools, and their families about how to handle money. By dealing with the parents (our clients), indirectly we’re making a difference for the children.
In particular, we’re interested in the work provided by the following organisations:
Banqer – An organisation that’s working to lift financial literacy levels in schools
The Commission for Financial Capability
The Parenting Place: The place to go for parenting advice.
The Environment: New Zealand’s the best place in the world to live, and technology is now enabling us to respect it in an easy and natural way. We believe environmentalism isn’t about being a gluten free, yoga mastering – slipper wearing hippy, it’s about respecting our environment and doing everything you can at home first, before virtue signaling.
How do we demonstrate this?
1 – We use sustainable energy: At home, Darcy’s begun the full transition to solar energy to reduce the dependency on grid-based energy.
2 – Our power company in the office is Ecotricity NZ: a company that uses only environmentally friendly renewable energy generation.
3 – Darcy and his wife drive electric cars: Electric cars are amazing, but it also reduces the consumption of carbon-based fuels – it’s not going to save the planet but it may save a few rotting dinosaurs.
4- Financial Education – Carley or Darcy are available to speak to organisations (upon request and subject to availability) around matters connected to the financial products we implement. In addition, Darcy hosts a weekly investment podcast in an attempt to deliver some financial knowledge to those who wouldn’t normally be inclined to access it.
5- Generosity – Being a responsible investor involves supporting (directly) charities and organisations in NZ involved in doing good. Darcy believes that the power of generosity is real, and benefits can be evidenced on both sides over time.
Meet Our Team
Disruption, generosity, and innovation. 3 things financial advisers should have front and centre. Disruption’s great but, but when it affects your bottom line that’s when it gets real.
Anyone who works in advice-based industries know that it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of simply providing ‘tips and tricks’ and aiming for the commission or invoice.
I’m keen to ‘break’ the model of how financial advice is delivered – our industry is so far disconnected to the people who could benefit the most it’s ridiculous. Technology aims to become more human, and humans aim to become more digital – It’s odd. Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a truly ‘customer-centered’ financial advice model that provided the trust that only a person can deliver with the consistency that only tech can deliver?
Darcy was an authorised financial adviser (AFA) under the old regulatory regime, who heads up a boutique financial advice firm based in Auckland City and is the host of the top-rated investing podcast The NZ Everyday Investor.
Regarding the podcast, visit nzeverydayinvestor.com
I am a part-time fitness lover and full-time caffeine appreciator. I also believe in life long learning, and after completing my financial advice qualifications, I’ve finally started my journey of reclaiming Te Reo Māori, almost 100 years after our last fluent tūpuna (ancestor) passed.
At the weekend you will find me with my husband Scott and our sons, George and Jonathan, walking our home security system, Hank, at the local dog park.
Trusted Partners
We hold agency agreements giving us access to the following financial institutions:
Get in touch
We can work up a tailor made plan for you and your situation, now and right into retirement.