Awards spotlight Kiwi brokers innovating for complex borrowers
The 2026 New Zealand Mortgage Awards (NZMAs) are set to celebrate the advisers and businesses at the forefront of New Zealand’s mortgage industry – with Liberty returning as event partner to help showcase and celebrate their achievements.
Presented by NZ Adviser, the NZMAs recognise New Zealand’s top advisers, brokerages, aggregators, lenders, BDMs, and service providers for their achievements, best practices, and leadership over the past 12 months.
The event will be held on 12 March at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, located at The Auckland Domain in Parnell, Auckland.
NZ Adviser caught up with Liberty NZ chief executive officer Aaron Skilton (pictured) to discuss why the awards matter and how Liberty is backing advisers in a changing market.
Celebrating advisers who go above and beyond
Skilton says the NZMAs are a key opportunity for the sector to recognise its top performers and lift standards across the market.
“The New Zealand Mortgage Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate the advisers and businesses that go above and beyond for customers,” Skilton says. “With new industry policies and changing economic conditions, it’s never been more important for New Zealanders to have access to hands-on support for their lending journeys.
“The NZMAs not only showcase these advisers, but the event is also the perfect opportunity to share knowledge and ideas that can benefit the industry as a whole and help more Kiwi borrowers.”
Skilton says Liberty’s involvement also helps the lender stay closely connected to advisers’ day-to-day scenarios – insight that feeds directly into how it supports them and their customers through fast turnaround times, simple processes, and flexible solutions.
Innovation, adaptability, and inclusive lending in focus
The NZMAs spotlight those who are innovating and adapting in an increasingly complex environment – a focus strongly shared by Liberty as event partner.
“The awards celebrate performance, innovation, and adaptability, which we believe are the key qualities needed in today’s lending market,” Skilton says. “Our partnership with the NZMAs is centred on celebrating those free-thinking mortgage advisers who are continually innovating to find solutions for customers who might not fit the traditional lending mould.”
He says borrower profiles are changing fast.
“In today’s market, borrower situations are rarely straightforward,” Skilton says. “We’re seeing more people move towards self-employment, juggle multiple income streams, rebuild finances, or become homeowners in non-traditional ways. The NZMAs spotlight advisers and lenders who are stepping up to support these borrowers responsibly.
As a non-bank lender focused on financial inclusion, Liberty plays an important role in offering solutions when mainstream options may not be available, and the awards help highlight how non-banks support these increasingly diverse borrower needs.
“Good lending isn’t about the easiest deals – it’s about finding flexible solutions for real people,” Skilton says.
Looking ahead, he believes the advisers and businesses most likely to stand out at the NZMAs will be those that adapt to changing market conditions while keeping customer needs at the core of every decision.
As technology drives greater efficiency, he says it will be the quality of relationships advisers build with customers – and their ability to balance digital tools with genuine care – that truly sets them apart.
He also wants to see leaders recognised for mentoring new advisers, building strong team cultures and encouraging collaboration across the industry to develop smarter, more sustainable customer solutions.
Awards, categories, and recognition across the sector
The 2026 New Zealand Mortgage Awards will once again recognise excellence across the full breadth of the industry, with 21 trophies on offer this year. Categories include:
- Success and Adviser Innovator of the Year
- CFML Loans Loan Administrator of the Year
- First Mortgage Trust New Adviser of the Year
- Commercial Mortgage Adviser of the Year
- Pepper Money Adviser of the Year – Residential
- Link Financial Group Best Bank BDM
- Best Aggregator BDM
- Newpark Home Loans Lifetime Achievement
- Specialist Lender of the Year
- Success and Adviser Regional Brokerage of the Year
- Bizcap Brokerage of the Year – Diversification
- Brokerage of the Year – 1–5 staff
- Prospa Brokerage of the Year – 6+ staff
- Finsure New Zealand New Brokerage of the Year
With Liberty at the heart of the event as partner, the NZMAs will shine a spotlight on innovation, inclusion, and leadership across New Zealand’s mortgage market, and the advisers working every day to deliver better outcomes for borrowers.
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