Asteron Life has named the four recipients of its 2026 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Grant Programme, awarding NZ$5,000 each to financial advisers with plans to grow their businesses and improve client outcomes.
Now in its third year, the programme supports advisers who have attended the MDRT Global Conference, one of the largest learning and networking events for financial advisers. The grants are designed to help recipients turn ideas from the conference into practical initiatives for their businesses, clients and communities.
This year’s four grants support a mix of growth, client engagement and professional development plans.
Ali Aliev of Maurice Trapp Group in Auckland will implement a Live Beyond Limits growth strategy, aimed at increasing the firm’s presence within professional networks and further developing the team’s advice capability.
In the Bay of Plenty, Andre and Karen Tourelle of Tourelle Lifebrokers are developing a Next Generation Rural & Business Protection strategy to better engage younger rural families and businesses.
Michael Martin of BrightNest in Auckland is committing to a whole-of-self coaching programme designed to support both individual and business growth.
Terina Wanoa of Simply Insurance in Christchurch is restructuring her business model and undertaking further professional development, to enable sustainable growth while achieving a better work-life balance.
Recipients were selected through a competitive application process and assessed on how they planned to apply learnings from the 2026 conference to create meaningful outcomes for their businesses and clients.
Kevin Turnock, Asteron Life’s national manager, advice and professional standards, said the programme reflects the insurer’s commitment to supporting adviser success and innovation across the advice sector.
“One of the things that makes MDRT so powerful is that advisers leave inspired by what’s possible and motivated to put new ideas into practice. Through the Asteron Life MDRT Grant Programme, we’re helping turn those ideas into reality,” Turnock said.
“This year’s recipients have presented thoughtful, practical plans that will not only strengthen their own businesses but ultimately help them deliver even better outcomes for the clients and communities they serve.”
He said the calibre of applications continued to show the innovation, ambition and professionalism within New Zealand’s financial advice community.
“The quality of applications continues to impress us. What stood out about this year’s recipients was not only their commitment to their own growth, but their desire to create lasting value for clients and contribute positively to the future of financial advice in New Zealand.”
Previous recipients have used their grants to accelerate technology adoption, implement AI-enabled business tools, expand business capability and improve client engagement.
The use of AI tools by advisers is now on the regulator’s radar. The Financial Markets Authority launched a thematic review of artificial intelligence in financial advice on August 6, 2026.
Asteron Life, which is ultimately owned by Japan’s Nippon Life through Acenda Group, said it will support this year’s recipients over the next 12 months and share updates on the progress and outcomes of their initiatives.
