DUX Financial

On Sunday afternoon I had the sad honour of going to a memorial service for a client of mine.
I showed up not knowing anybody there, really just to sit and listen. As people from her life spoke about their memories of her, I realised I actually did know many of them. We had spent a lot of time talking about the people who were important to her, who were in that room.
When I got up to say a couple of words, I was able to share that. She was very open about her friends and family and her desire to support them. And of course the multitude of banjos they were lamenting that she owned — I was somewhat responsible for encouraging her that she could afford to buy expensive ukuleles from America and go over to pick them up.
Sitting there, it struck me: we start our relationships with clients focusing on the maths, the projections, the goals and the numbers. After a while we end up talking about almost anything else. We become more of a coach than an advisor.
Many of my reviews with this client — and with many others — the numbers are more of a checkin to maintain them. It’s more a discussion about what’s going on in their life. What do they want to do? Have they got the gutters sorted? Have they got the handrail put on? Just being there in their life, knowing what’s going on, often knowing more about them than many other people in their lives, and the lives of those around them, and being their support, against all external forces.
It’s a huge responsibility as an adviser, and one I’m becoming more and more aware of as I work with more clients for longer. It’s a heavy privilege, because sometimes you have to go to their funerals. But ultimately it’s an honour.

It was a bit of a surreal weekend for our director Alan Borthwick.

- On Saturday and Sunday I was the registrar and MC for my club (the Wellington Warlords), annual convention. 170 gamers from wellington and beyond descended on St Pats college, to roll dice and move toy soldiers around.

One cool thing we do is we give away the catering. Decades ago we would try to do this ourselves, but it was a nightmare. So we started giving it away.

This year for the 2nd year we had the Lower Hutt Foodbank set up in the hall with us, providing the attendees with pies, toasted sandwiches, drinks and coffee. We take nothing from this, all proceeds to the Foodbank. This connection came about due to having worked with Antoniia 30 years ago doing payroll.

We also had the amazing team from LK Pie Co. Ltd bring their cart and do a morning of gourmet pies and barista coffee. I had helped Kane and Lenaire get the cart sorted in the first place, so being able to help then with this was great.

Thank you to all for helping support the club and our attendees, it went off without a hitch. and goes to show the power of connections.

The DUX Team will be at the Auckland Baby Show at the Auckland Showgrounds in Epsom. Come along, say hi, guess the number of Ducks in the jar for a cool prize, and get some great advice.

DUX is Hiring

Initial phase of job applications will close midday next Friday, as initial vetting and interviews will begin the following week, though if suitable candidates are not found we will extend the search.

This is a junior to intermediate role: Assistant to Director and Practice Manager Job in Wellington Central, Wellington - https://nz.seek.com/job/94035411?ref=cm-ui

This is a senior / experienced role: Practice Manager & Compliance Officer Job in Wellington Central, Wellington - https://nz.seek.com/job/94035159?ref=cm-ui

Job descriptions are available upon request.

Practice Manager & Compliance Officer Job in Wellington Central, Wellington - SEEK A varied role combining practice management, compliance and operations, with the chance to shape the position and grow with our expanding business.

Alan is very happy to be have achieved this award. Especially as its based on service not sales volume. It shows the value of working with our clients.

Thanks to all DUX clients and to the members of the DUX team who help make sure we can maintain our service levels.

NZ Adviser names New Zealand's top mortgage brokers for 2026 Proactive advice and personalised service separate New Zealand's top-rated mortgage advisers in 2026

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