Headquarters:
Auckland, New Zealand
Year founded:
2024
Number of employees:
3
Phone:
022 0166 056
Email:
ankit@rhinomortgages.co.nz
Website:
rhinomortgages.co.nz
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/rhino-mortgages
“We target wealth managers and RIAs that are looking for ways to differentiate in their offering and cater to a growing number of high-net-worth individuals looking for alternative investment vehicles such as private equity investment”
Kevin Collins
CEO and Founder
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IB Top Brokerages
Award Winner
SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS
Award Winner
RHINO MORTGAGES
Ankit Tomar
Principal Financial Adviser
Gotami Tomar
Client Service Manager
Eric Hao
General Manager
Leadership
Ankit Tomar is an experienced mortgage advisor with over 16 years in the financial services industry, having worked with major banks including BNZ, ASB and Westpac. He brings deep expertise across residential, commercial and agribusiness lending, enabling him to structure tailored solutions for a wide range of clients. Known for his “right first time” approach, Tomar focuses on accuracy, efficiency and proactive guidance – minimising delays, reducing stress and delivering a seamless client experience. His practical insight and strong understanding of lending frameworks allow clients to make confident, well-informed financial decisions at every stage of their journey.
Principal Financial Adviser
Ankit Tomar
Gotami Tomar is an experienced client service manager at Rhino Mortgages, bringing a strong background in customer service and client relationship management. She supports clients throughout their entire journey – from the first meeting through to settlement and beyond, ensuring ongoing care for their future financial needs. Having previously worked within government organisations and as a mortgage adviser, Tomar has a well-rounded understanding of lending processes. Her ability to build trust, communicate clearly and nurture long-term relationships ensures clients receive a smooth, supportive and highly personalised experience at every stage of their journey.
Client Service Manager
Gotami Tomar
Eric Hao is the general manager at Star Mortgage & Insurance. With a career spanning corporate banking at Westpac NZ, SME and retail banking at BNZ, and entrepreneurial experience within hospitality and wholesale imports, he brings a rare combination of institutional banking expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to every client engagement. Hao advises across residential and commercial lending, drawing on his direct lending and cash flow lending experience gained within the banking sector. He is known for his relationship-driven approach, precision and commitment to client outcomes.
General Manager
Eric Hao
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
Tim Bowen
Chief Financial Officer
Tim Bowen is chief financial officer at Squirrel, bringing more than 15 years of management and consulting experience across the insurance sector and other industries. A former New Zealand representative swimmer, he is recognised for his strong work ethic, leadership and broad commercial expertise. Bowen plays an important role in supporting Squirrel’s growth and financial performance. Outside work, he enjoys staying active, sharing dad jokes and unwinding over a classic dinner of steak and mash with family and friends.
Chief Financial Officer
Tim Bowen
Abi Cooke
Chief Marketing Officer
Abi Cooke is chief marketing officer at Squirrel, bringing extensive experience across marketing, digital strategy and financial services. Her career has spanned both London and New Zealand, working with major brands including UBS, ASB, ANZ, Westpac, Generate and Fisher Funds through leading agencies such as Affinity ID, Colenso and Krunch. With postgraduate qualifications in business and marketing, Cooke combines strategic thinking with strong industry expertise. She is recognised for her energy, creativity and leadership within the business. Outside work, she enjoys travelling, exploring new restaurants, staying active and spending time with her children, Josh and Siena.
Chief Marketing Officer
Abi Cooke
Listening deeply is the key philosophy behind Rhino Mortgages’ success. Building on this platform, the firm communicates clearly and delivers outcomes that fit clients’ real-life priorities.
It is an approach that has earned the Auckland-based firm a place among NZ Adviser’s Top Brokerages for 2026 and one that has been refined over 16 years in the industry.
The firm is led by Ankit Tomar, principal financial adviser, whose background spans more than 15 years across banking and lending. Under his direction, Rhino has carved out a strong niche in some of the more demanding corners of the mortgage market:
first home buyers
property investors
clients pursuing construction lending
Construction has become a meaningful growth area for the firm, with Rhino supporting construction projects not only across Auckland but in regions such as Queenstown as well.
What makes the firm’s performance particularly compelling is its consistency. Rhino reports a roughly 90% success rate on the applications it submits, a figure underpinned by thorough preparation and a deliberate focus on quality over volume. In 2025 alone, the firm supported more than 120 clients across New Zealand, and much of that business has come through repeat clients and referrals, which speaks to the relationships the team has built.
Rhino does not position itself as a rate-shopping operation. Instead, the firm’s value lies in strategic thinking: structuring lending for flexibility, future growth and long-term financial stability. That means going beyond the standard approach when a client’s situation calls for it, particularly in cases involving self-employed income, complex income structures or multi-property development. The goal is always to find a solution that genuinely works for the client, even when the path is not straightforward.
The team’s service standards are also a point of pride for Rhino. Clients are kept informed throughout the entire process by client service managers, while relationship managers maintain ongoing communication to support long-term financial goals. High-value and investor clients also receive dedicated account management. The result is an end-to-end service model built around long-term relationships, not one-off transactions.
Recruitment reflects the same commitment to quality. Rhino actively seeks advisers with strong banking backgrounds, believing that well-rounded financial knowledge is the foundation of credible, trustworthy advice. Training is delivered one on one, with a focus on meaningful client conversations and a thorough understanding of each client’s individual circumstances.
Looking ahead, the firm has plans to grow its operations by expanding its team of account managers and business development managers while continuing to invest in client education. The overall focus remains on maintaining the standard of advice that has defined the firm to date.
In essence, Rhino has built its reputation one complex lending scenario at a time and stands ready to continue that into the future.
“[Automation] has resulted in productivity gains far greater than 80 percent and allowed our customers to grow their business by handling a greater number of clients, client portfolios, and assets under management”
Kevin Collins
CEO and Founder
Callan Wayne-Bowles
Group Head of Advisory
Colin Gardyne
Chief Technology Officer
Steven Sun
Financial Adviser
Sarah M Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Leasing and Call Centre Operations
Callan Wayne-Bowles is group head of advisory at Squirrel, bringing more than two decades of experience within the finance industry. He holds degrees in accountancy and commercial law from Victoria University and spent over ten years working for major banks before joining Squirrel. Known for his deep industry knowledge and trusted advice, Wayne-Bowles has built a strong reputation as a leading mortgage adviser in Wellington, reflected in his many repeat clients and referrals. Outside work, he enjoys fishing, snowboarding and playing golf whenever time allows. He is also recognised within the team as its most successful poker player.
Group Head of Advisory
Callan Wayne-Bowles
Colin Gardyne leads Squirrel’s growing team of developers as chief technology officer and is constantly focused on building innovative technology solutions for the business. After a busy day of coding and problem-solving, he enjoys relaxing by watching Liverpool matches or playing PlayStation with a Tuatara beer in hand after work.
Chief Technology Officer
Colin Gardyne
Steven Sun is an experienced financial adviser at Plaxo Mortgages, with over six years of expertise in delivering tailored lending solutions across a wide range of client needs. He brings a strong foundation in banking, having previously spent five years with ASB and Westpac, where he specialised in lending and team management. This dual perspective allows him to understand both internal bank processes and the practical needs of his clients.
Sun provides comprehensive services, including home lending, property investment lending, and development project finance. He also supports business owners with tailored business loan solutions. He delivers practical, well-aligned strategies and provides end-to-end support throughout the lending process to achieve consistent results.
Financial Adviser
Steven Sun
Greg McAweeney is an accomplished commercial leader with over 20 years of experience spanning digital strategy, customer experience, strategic marketing, brand building and B2C/B2B sales across financial services, telecommunications and insurance. He joined Helia in 2022 as chief commercial officer, where he leads growth strategy and drives key partnerships. Prior to Helia, McAweeney served as CCO at HCF and held senior sales and service roles at Rabobank across Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from University College Dublin and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Chief Commercial Officer
Greg McAweeney