These terms govern your use of AdviceFinder (advicefinder.co.nz). By using the platform — whether as a consumer browsing the directory or as an adviser with a listing — you agree to these terms.
AdviceFinder is operated by Jacques van Heerden, New Zealand. If you have questions about these terms, email hello@advicefinder.co.nz.
1. What AdviceFinder is
AdviceFinder is a directory for licensed financial advisers in New Zealand. It helps consumers find advisers and helps advisers demonstrate their credentials and client track record.
AdviceFinder is not a financial advice service. Nothing on this platform constitutes financial advice. See our Disclaimer for more.
2. For everyone using the platform
You agree not to:
- Use the platform for any unlawful purpose
- Attempt to access systems or data you're not authorised to access
- Scrape, copy, or systematically extract adviser data without our permission
- Submit false, misleading, or defamatory information
- Impersonate another person or organisation
- Interfere with the platform's operation
We reserve the right to remove content or suspend access where these terms are breached.
3. For consumers using the directory
Finding an adviser. The directory lists advisers who hold a current licence on the Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR). We confirm their registration at the time of listing. This does not mean we endorse any particular adviser or their advice.
Making contact.When you submit an enquiry through an adviser's profile, that enquiry goes to the adviser directly. AdviceFinder facilitates the connection — we are not party to any engagement that follows.
Reviews you read. Reviews on AdviceFinder are submitted by people who have confirmed they are, or were, a client of the adviser. We verify the client relationship — we do not verify the accuracy of the opinions expressed. Reviews reflect the personal experience of the reviewer at the time of submission.
No guarantee of outcome. Finding an adviser through AdviceFinder does not guarantee the quality of advice you receive. You remain responsible for your own financial decisions.
4. For advisers — listing terms
4.1 Eligibility
To claim a profile on AdviceFinder you must:
- Hold a current FSP registration with status “Registered” on the FSPR
- Be engaged by a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP) or hold your own FAP licence
- Be authorised to give financial advice in New Zealand under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013
If your FSP status changes, you must notify us promptly at hello@advicefinder.co.nz. Profiles of deregistered advisers will be updated to reflect their FSPR status and may be made inactive.
4.2 Your profile
When you claim your profile, you are taking responsibility for the information it contains. You agree that:
- All information you add or edit is accurate and not misleading
- You will not misrepresent your qualifications, experience, or services
- Your profile photo (if uploaded) is a genuine photograph of you
- You will keep your profile reasonably current
We may update the FSPR-sourced sections of your profile when we run our monthly data refresh. If an update introduces an error, contact us and we'll correct it.
4.3 Reviews
The review platform allows your clients to leave confirmed reviews on your profile. You agree that:
- You will only request reviews from people who are genuinely your clients
- You will not offer incentives in exchange for reviews
- You will not submit reviews of yourself, or arrange for others to do so on your behalf
- You will not attempt to have legitimate negative reviews removed without a valid reason
- You will not harass or pressure reviewers
Your right of reply. You may respond to any review on your profile. Responses must be professional and must not identify the reviewer or disclose confidential client information.
Flagging a review. If you believe a review is false, submitted by someone who was not your client, or violates these terms, you may flag it for our review. We will investigate and respond within 10 working days.
Reviews are permanent. Reviews belong to your professional record and travel with you when you move between firms. If you cancel your listing, your reviews remain on the platform associated with your profile.
4.4 Listing tiers
AdviceFinder offers free and paid listing tiers. The features available on each tier are described on our pricing page.
Free tier — your FSPR-registered profile is listed in the directory. Up to 3 of your most recent confirmed reviews are publicly displayed. You can collect reviews and they accumulate on your profile — all become visible if you upgrade.
Paid tier (Founding Member / Premium) — full profile with bio, contact details, and all confirmed reviews publicly displayed. Paid features are described in full at the time of subscription.
4.5 Payment
Subscription fees are charged monthly in advance. Payment is processed via Stripe. By subscribing to a paid tier you authorise us to charge your nominated payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel.
Cancellation. You may cancel at any time from your dashboard. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. We do not offer refunds for partial billing periods.
Price changes.We will give you at least 30 days' notice of any price change before it takes effect on your subscription.
4.6 Our right to suspend or remove a listing
We may suspend or remove a listing without notice if:
- Your FSP registration is deregistered, suspended, or under investigation
- You breach these terms — in particular the review integrity rules
- We receive a credible complaint of conduct that would bring the platform into disrepute
Where we suspend a paid listing, we will refund any unused portion of the current billing period.
We will notify you of a suspension by email and give you the opportunity to respond before any permanent removal, except in cases of serious or urgent concern.
5. Intellectual property
AdviceFinder content.The platform's design, code, branding, written content, and ranking methodology are owned by AdviceFinder. You may not reproduce or distribute them without permission.
Your content. When you submit content to AdviceFinder — including your profile bio, profile photo, or a response to a review — you retain ownership of that content. You grant AdviceFinder a non-exclusive licence to display that content on the platform for as long as your profile is live.
Reviews. Reviewers own the content of their reviews. By submitting a review, a reviewer grants AdviceFinder a non-exclusive licence to display it on the platform indefinitely, including after any individual adviser cancels their listing.
6. Limitation of liability
AdviceFinder provides the platform on an “as is” basis. We do not warrant that the platform will be available at all times or that it will be free from errors.
To the extent permitted by New Zealand law, AdviceFinder is not liable for:
- Financial losses arising from decisions made on the basis of information found on the platform
- The conduct of any adviser listed on the platform
- The accuracy of reviews submitted by third parties
- Any loss of data or interruption to service
Nothing in these terms limits our liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or liability that cannot be excluded under NZ law, including the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where it applies.
7. Privacy
Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these terms by reference. See advicefinder.co.nz/privacy.
8. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. We will notify active advisers of material changes by email at least 14 days before they take effect. Continued use of the platform after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
Consumers will be notified of changes via a notice on the website.
9. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of New Zealand. Any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.
10. Contact
General enquiries: hello@advicefinder.co.nz
Disputes and complaints: hello@advicefinder.co.nz
Privacy: privacy@advicefinder.co.nz