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About Us

At The Smart Advice Collective, our mission is simple:

To simplify your life with smart, savvy financial solutions.

Whether you’re planning to buy your first home, protect your loved ones, or get smarter about your finances, we’re here to make the process easier, clearer, and more empowering.

 

Meet our friendly team below — we’re ready to assist you in any way we can and guide you toward financial choices that truly work for you.

Our Advisers

Sarah Cavanagh - NZ Personal Insurance Adviser, Kiwisaver and Investment Adviser at Smart Advice Collective, Auckland
Owner/Director. Personal Insurance. Kiwisaver & Investments.
Sarah Cavanagh

Hi! I’m Sarah, owner and director of the Smart Advice Collective. I'm your personal insurance and investment expert in New Zealand since 1996. I work with women and families to secure the right cover, from life and health insurance to KiwiSaver and investment strategies, with clarity and confidence. My goal is to make protecting your lifestyle and building wealth simple, personal, and effective, helping you secure what matters most for the long term.

Auckland & NZ-Wide
Rachael Thompson - Mortgage , KiwiSaver and Investment Adviser Auckland NZ at Smart Advice Collective
Mortgages, Kiwisaver & Investments.
Rachael Thompson

Hi I'm Rachael! I've been a Financial and Mortgage Adviser since 2013. I love helping people finance that special property, whether you're a first-home buyer or property investor. As an accredited investment adviser, I also work with clients to grow their investments and KiwiSaver, with a particular passion for supporting women and families with wrap-around financial advice, giving them the certainty and confidence to make informed decisions for today and for retirement.

Auckland & NZ-Wide
Carrie Thomas - New Zealand General Insurance Adviser at Smart Advice Collective, Rotorua
Domestic, Fire & General Insurance. Commercial Insurance.
Carrie Thomas

Hi, I'm Carrie. I bring empathy and expertise to general and commercial insurance. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, my mission is to create an inclusive space built on trust, not just policies.  My approach is refreshingly personal: I am committed to simplifying the process, understanding your unique needs, and providing reliable, tailored insurance solutions for your general or business coverage.

Rotorua & NZ-Wide
Hollie Bailey - New Zealand General Insurance Adviser  at Smart Advice Collective, Whangarei
Domestic and Rural - Fire and General Insurance
Hollie Bailey

Hi, I'm Hollie, with a rural background and over 13 years of experience in the Fire & General Insurance industry and customer services, I enjoy helping clients navigate insurance with confidence.


I specialise in simplifying what can often feel complex; offering smart, practical advice that’s tailored to your individual needs.

Whangarei & NZ-Wide
Jodi Imlach - NZ Personal Insurance Adviser at Smart Advice Collective, Christchurch
Personal Insurance
Jodi Imlach

I’m Jodi, a life and health insurance adviser. I help individuals and families make sense of their insurance and put the right protection in place for their future. I keep things simple, honest and easy to understand. My goal is simple. I want you and your whānau to live long, happy, and healthy lives. If life takes an unexpected turn, we’ll have a plan in place, and you’ll never have to face it alone. 

Christchurch & NZ-Wide
Lorena Avila - NZ Personal Insurance Adviser at Smart Advice Collective, Christchurch
Personal Insurance
Lorena Avila

Hi, I’m Lorena, an insurance adviser passionate about helping individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. I keep things simple and honest, turning complex insurance concepts into clear choices. My goal is to give you total peace of mind and financial confidence. By listening carefully to your unique needs, we will put the right insurance protection in place so you always feel supported.

Christchurch & NZ-Wide
Debra Smale - New Zealand General Insurance Adviser at Smart Advice Collective
Domestic, Fire & General Insurance. Commercial Insurance.
Debra Smale

Hi, I'm Debra.. With over 15 years of customer service experience and 8 years in General Insurance, I’m here to make the insurance process as quick and easy as possible for you without skipping the important details. I take the time to get to know you by asking the right questions and finding out exactly what you need to ensure you have the right cover in place.

New Plymouth & NZ-Wide
Sakhi Nair - New Zealand KiwiSaver and Investment Adviser at Smart Advice Collective
Kiwisaver & Investments.
Sakhi Nair

Hi, I’m Sakhi, a Financial Adviser specialising in KiwiSaver and investments, and working towards being a qualified personal insurance adviser as well. After a successful career as a patisserie chef, I decided to take control of my finances and studied Small Business Management and Money Management. I realised how empowering financial literacy facilitated by a trusted professional can be, and I wanted to do the same for others.

Wellington & NZ-Wide

Our Support Team

Amy Morris - Administration Manager for the Smart Advice Collective New Zealand
Amy Morris
Administration Manager

Hi I'm Amy! As the Administration Manager at The Smart Advice Collective, I work behind the scenes to support our Advisers and ensure your experience is clear, easy and welcoming. Whether I'm juggling shifting priorities or just keeping the daily operations on track, my focus is to make life easier for you - our clients.


For the last 10 years I have worked in similar roles, and I believe in being the calm in the middle of the storm, the one who anticipates the "what ifs," and the person who ensures the foundation is solid so that the rest of the team can soar.


My focus is on keeping everything organised and running seamlessly, making each step simple and stress free so you can move forward with complete confidence.

AWARD WINNERS, AUGUST 2026

Emerging Business of the Year

The Smart Advice Collective were thrilled to be recognised as ‘Emerging Business of the Year’ at the Wealthpoint conference in Dunedin..

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Since we started we have gone from a team of two to a team of eight advisors, plus admin staff.​ Our services have extended from mortgages and personal life and health insurance to all four advice lines including Fire and General Insurance and Commercial Insurance as well as KiwiSaver and Investment Advice.

 

And all of this bought to the market by a chain of exclusively female advisers. We're really proud of that and it’s on purpose. 

 

Women make fantastic financial advisors as we are natural problem solvers and bring an empathy and level of communication to the role that I think our clients really appreciate. 

 

I believe the financial adviser role is a fantastic opportunity for women to build themselves a big career as well as earn a great income and both those things then provide financial independence and choices in life. 

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We are very excited about the future as our plan is to only continue to grow. Watch this space! 

FAQs about advisers

Ready to Build Your Future as an Insurance, Mortgage or Investment Adviser?

Join us and become part of a forward-thinking collective that genuinely puts your independence and success first. Explore the opportunity to become part of our growing team.

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Proud to Support Women’s Refuge NZ

We believe in backing women not only through great financial advice but through real-world support too.
That’s why we make a cash donation to Women’s Refuge New Zealand for every new client who engages with us.

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We're also proud to support the Shielded Site project, helping those affected by domestic violence access help safely. You’ll find a link in the footer of this website for anyone who may need it.

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