Our People. Our Difference

Kip (Ngāti Ranginui) is a financial services leader with over 25 years of experience in New Zealand and Asia Pacific.

He’s successfully led large – scaled banks in the Pacific and has a strong track record of growing businesses and building high-performing teams. Kip has deep retail and commercial banking customer and credit experience, governance, risk management, and leadership skills. He’s a hands-on leader with well-developed networks and a chartered accountant with financial advisory experience.

Kip lives in Auckland with his wife Jodi and 2 children, Charlie and Zoe. He enjoys golf, family time, sport, travel, and reading.

Kip’s Favourite NZHL value is Freedom champions – Kip joined NZHL with a strong belief in its value proposition of Financial Freedom, Faster. He’s passionate about financial inclusion, education and empowerment.

Darren is the Chief Financial Officer for NZHL, with over 20 years of experience in financial services. Darren is a qualified Chartered Accountant with a degree in Commercial Law and Finance, working with renowned international banking firms such as ABN AMRO, BNP Paribas & Merrill Lynch.

Darren was the finance lead, launching the (TVNZ on-demand) digital platform channel, and spent almost a decade in the advertising industry before returning to financial services.

Darren’s favourite NZHL value is Passionately Kiwi – witnessing NZHL advisers’ enthusiasm in helping their clients gain financial freedom left Darren feeling truly impressed with what NZHL has to offer.

Doris balances the HR goods on paper with personality and depth of understanding of what makes people and organisations tick.

Doris is no stranger to financial services having recently been Head of People & Culture Retail Banking at ASB, and prior to that held roles at Kiwibank, NZ Post and Westpac.

Doris brings with her knowledge and understanding of retail and franchise banking which she’s excited to use to help the NZHL network grow and prosper.

When’s she not leading the charge in the HR space, you’ll find her spending time with her family (special mention to Coco the Staffie), cooking and partaking in some of the fruits of her kitchen labours (plus red wine).  When that’s done to excess you may find her walking the neighbourhood or paddling (SUP) on the harbour.

Doris believes NZHL is a pathway to success for both the businesses that make up the organisation and the clients who are part of NZHL.

Doris’s favourite NZHL value is Excellence Together – Doris believes in the power of a passionate diverse team all working together to deliver our purpose.

Paul is no stranger to NZHL or the financial services sector. Having previously been an NZHL business owner and the Managing Director of a successful financial services firm, he brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to drive meaningful outcomes for both clients and advisers.

Passionate about NZHL’s mission of financial freedom, faster, Paul believes this proposition resonates not only with clients but also with the incredible people throughout NZHL who work tirelessly to support them. In his role as General Manager of Franchise & Distribution, Paul is focused on guiding the growth and success of NZHL’s network of business owners, ensuring they are empowered to help more Kiwis achieve their financial goals.

Outside of work, Paul enjoys travelling, spending quality time with his partner Nicole and their two sons and fitting in the occasional round of golf.

Paul’s favourite NZHL value is Freedom Champions – helping Kiwis gain financial freedom to improve their wellbeing and unlock opportunities for broader societal good.

Michael is an experienced and visionary leader, passionate about helping businesses evolve, make a meaningful difference for clients, and continuously strive for better. With a strong background in strategy, governance, transformation delivery, and process and productivity improvement, Michael brings a thoughtful and forward-thinking approach to leadership.

In his role at NZHL, Michael is focused on driving the overall growth of the business through strategic planning, while also leading the Group’s Compliance and Risk functions. He’s committed to ensuring NZHL remains agile, future-focused, and always aligned with its mission to support Kiwis on their journey to financial freedom.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family, going on adventures, exploring new places, staying active, and playing games that challenge the mind.

Michael’s favourite NZHL value is Freedom Champions – it resonates deeply with him that NZHL doesn’t settle for the status quo, but instead seeks out smarter, more impactful ways to improve everyday Kiwis’ lives and help them live more rewarding futures.

Tracey is a forward-thinking, people-centric leader, passionate about transformation and technology as a driver of positive, lasting change. In her role at NZHL, she leads enterprise-wide initiatives that bring strategy, systems, and people together—delivering seamless, scalable solutions that drive performance and adaptability.

She brings clarity to complexity through calm, creative, and solution-focused leadership. With a strong operational lens, Tracey navigates the intersections of business transformation and technological evolution. She proudly champions women in technology and change leadership, helping shape inclusive, innovative environments where people and ideas thrive.

Tracey lives on a lifestyle block with her partner and their school-age son. When she’s not leading impactful initiatives, she’s in the garden, experimenting in the kitchen, dancing to a Latin rhythm, or out on an adventure with her family.

Tracey’s favourite NZHL value is Excellence Together – encouraging cross-functional teamwork to unlock greater potential in people and inspire bold thinking and even bolder solutions.

Janelle is a confident and creative marketing and communications professional with previous experience across leading businesses such as MYOB and Animates. Her career spans marketing, public relations, and brand development across both product and professional services sectors.

At NZHL, Janelle leads Brand, Marketing and Communications for the Group. She brings calm and a collaborative mindset—whether it’s leading campaigns, elevating brand presence, or exploring client experience metrics. With a strong belief in the power of communication, Janelle thrives on crafting meaningful narratives that resonate and deliver results.

Janelle lives in Auckland with her husband, daughters, and fur babies, Ardie and Sheldon. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on caravan adventures, wandering through the local forest, or socialising with neighbours.

Janelle’s favourite NZHL value is Freedom Champions – she’s experienced firsthand the life-changing impact of helping Kiwis achieve and protect their financial goals.