Squirrel

Office address:

• Auckland: 29 Sale Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
• Wellington Central: 34 Manners Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
• Christchurch: 575 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch 8053

Website: www.squirrel.co.nz
Year established: 2008
Company type: financial services
Employees: 130+
Expertise: mortgage broker, property experts, financial services, investments, peer-to-peer lending, personal loans, home loans, term investments, property investing, property development funding, bridging finance, first home buyers, turnkey lending, construction loans, land banking
Parent company: N/A
Key people: David Cunningham (CEO), John Bolton (Squirrel OG and founder), Colin Gardyne (CTO), Dave Tyrer (COO), Ruth Hamlin (CMO), Tim Bowen (CFO), Tony Lane (CRO), Angela Lewis (CPO)
Financing status: N/A

Squirrel, headquartered in Auckland, is one of New Zealand’s largest independent mortgage advisory businesses. They offer a diverse range of financial services including mortgage broking, lending, and investments. 

With over 130 employees across three locations, Squirrel has arranged over $22 billion in mortgage lending to date, and supported over 76,000 homeowners throughout the country.

Squirrel stands out in the mortgage industry for its peer-to-peer lending and investing platform. The company offers a suite of unique home, construction and personal loan solutions to credit-worthy Kiwi borrowers, funded with the help of its network of over 5,000 peer-to-peer lenders. Squirrel currently has over $500 million in funds under management across its platform. 

History of Squirrel

Squirrel was founded by John Bolton in January 2008 at the height of the Global Financial Crisis. His mission was to create a fairer system for Kiwi borrowers looking to get a mortgage. 

In 2015, Squirrel expanded its product offering with the launch of its peer-to-peer lending and investing platform, offering fairer returns to Kiwi savers and investors. Its suite of saving and investment products include: 

• the high-interest Squirrel On Call Account 
• Squirrel Term Investments 
• Squirrel Monthly Income Fund 
• bespoke solutions for high net worth and wholesale investors

In 2022, David Cunningham succeeded Bolton as CEO, setting the company up for its next phase of growth and innovation. 

Squirrel merged with iconic Wellington mortgage brokerage, The Home Loan Shop in 2022, and Christchurch-based NZ Mortgages in 2024, expanding its brand presence and enabling it to offer on-the-ground support for Kiwi mortgage borrowers all over New Zealand. 

In 2025, Squirrel was named one of New Zealand’s top mortgage brokerage firms. 

Products and services of Squirrel

Squirrel offers a wide range of mortgage and financial services, catering to various customer needs:

• first home buyers: tailored mortgage solutions for individuals purchasing their first home
• moving and bridging: financial support for customers transitioning between homes
• investing in property: mortgage options designed for property investors
• development finance: funding solutions for property developers
• building new: loans specifically for new home constructions
• personal loan for homeowners: unsecured personal loans for those with home equity
• refinance: mortgage refinancing solutions to improve loan terms

Squirrel currently offers a suite of unique loan solutions designed to support high-quality borrowers whose needs aren’t being met by traditional funding solutions. This includes Launchpad, which helps good earners onto the property ladder with as little as 5% deposit. 

Culture at Squirrel

Squirrel’s culture values people and authenticity. The work environment encourages curiosity, fairness, and freedom, creating a genuinely friendly and informal atmosphere. Employees share a collective passion for challenging the status quo, contributing to a strong and supportive workplace culture, with benefits including: 

• professional development and training opportunities
• personal and workplace support programs and 'Lunch and Learn' sessions
• access to confidential counselling services through EAP
• annual selection of charities and causes to support
• full-time staff members receive an additional two days of annual leave, and life & income protection insurance 
• a supportive environment for working parents, with additional maternity leave benefits and flexible working arrangements 
• inclusive and diverse work environment 
• reduction of carbon footprint 
• a solar-powered office and recycling policy for used hardware

About Squirrel CEO David Cunningham and key people

David Cunningham has served as Squirrel's CEO since 2022. His extensive work history includes being CEO at The Co-operative Bank, regional manager at Westpac, and GM of risk management at Trust Bank, among others. Cunningham earned a BCA in accounting from Victoria University of Wellington and graduated from Rathkeale College, Masterton.

The following key people assist the CEO in operating the company:

• John Bolton, as Squirrel OG and founder, leads the company's mortgage operations and strategic direction
• Colin Gardyne, chief technology officer, manages the company's technological infrastructure and innovation
• Dave Tyrer as a COO oversees daily operations and ensures operational efficiency
• Ruth Hamlin, chief marketing officer, directs marketing strategies and brand development
• Tim Bowen, serving as chief financial officer, handles financial planning, analysis, and reporting
• Tony Lane, chief risk officer, is responsible for risk management and regulatory compliance
• Angela Lewis, chief people officer, is responsible for HR and people management 

The future at Squirrel

Squirrel is on a significant growth trajectory - expanding its market presence through strategic mergers, continuous product development and innovation, and ongoing investment in the Squirrel brand. 

These initiatives collectively strengthen Squirrel's market position and enhance customer satisfaction, as evidenced by its more than 1,400 five-star reviews.

Looking ahead, Squirrel's growth and new products will help the company succeed and lead in the changing mortgage market.