Headquarters:
174 Huxley Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023
Year founded:
2015
Number of employees:
12
Phone:
0800 864864
Email:
info@themortgagegirls.co.nz
Website:
themortgagegirls.co.nz
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/the-mortgage-girls
“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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SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS
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THE MORTGAGE GIRLS
Elyce Peters
Founder
Holly Sullivan
Founder
Eric Hao
General Manager
Leadership
Elyce Peters is the co-founder of The Mortgage Girls and a driving force behind its people-first approach to lending. With a strong background in finance and a passion for doing things differently, she helped build a business that challenges traditional industry norms. She is known for her straight-talking style, strategic thinking and commitment to making financial advice more accessible for everyday Kiwis. Peters thrives on seeing clients achieve goals they once thought were out of reach and takes pride in creating a supportive, high-performing team culture that continues to raise the standard across the mortgage advisory industry.
Founder
Elyce Peters
Holly Sullivan is the co-founder of The Mortgage Girls and the heart behind its exceptional client experience. With a career rooted in banking, she has always believed that great outcomes start with genuinely helping people. She brings energy, empathy and a relentless focus on communication to every client interaction. Sullivan is passionate about simplifying the mortgage process and ensuring clients feel confident and supported from start to finish. Known for her attention to detail and high standards, she plays a key role in shaping the client journey while continuously looking for ways to improve and elevate the overall experience.
Founder
Holly Sullivan
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
The Mortgage Girls is a proudly New Zealand-based mortgage advisory firm on a mission to make homeownership feel less overwhelming and a whole lot more achievable. Known for its down-to-earth approach and standout service, the team combines expert advice with genuine care to guide clients every step of the way.
Whether it’s a first home, next move or growing a property portfolio, The Mortgage Girls meets clients where they’re at. Not quite ready yet? No worries. The team stays alongside its clients, offering practical strategies, encouragement and a clear plan to help them get there.
What really sets The Mortgage Girls apart is its commitment to keeping things human. Clients can expect regular updates, honest conversations and a team that is always within reach. No radio silence, no confusion – just clear, consistent support from start to finish and well beyond.
The journey does not stop at settlement. With ongoing check-ins and proactive reviews, The Mortgage Girls ensures its clients continue to make smart financial moves long after the keys are in hand. With a loyal following and a business built on referrals, the firm is not just about mortgages – it’s about helping Kiwis back themselves and build brighter financial futures.
“[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