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Our Story

We believe everyone should have access to world-class advice to help grow and manage their wealth.

We deliver clients the benefit of investment advice from qualified, experienced Advisers, supported by a highly-awarded team of research analysts, with access to some of the world’s best research.

You are in expert hands

Our reputation has been built on delivering the highest quality advice. All our Investment Advisers are qualified and NZX accredited. Our entire team is focused on delivering against six key principles.

Our clients’ best interests come first

Our understanding of your goals, and what will create success for you, drives everything we do.

We deliver impartial and informed advice

As a New Zealand-owned business, we are entirely independent in the advice we deliver and the specific investments that we recommend.

We are motivated to deliver

Delivering outstanding service and performance is what enables us to build long-term trusted relationships.

We operate to best practice standards

We are committed to delivering to industry best practice and actively participate in many industry bodies.

We offer services that fit

Our full range of investment services are designed to fit your unique wealth management needs.

We deliver global opportunity

We partner with leading international institutions to ensure access to global connections and research.

A little history

Forsyth Barr was established in Dunedin in 1936 by Robert (Peter) Forsyth Barr. At the end of World War II, he was joined by Murray Sidey and Keith Skinner and together the three partners built the business based on a shared commitment to delivering quality advice with the highest levels of service. In the 1970s the entrepreneurial team broadened the business from its core stockbroking operation.

In the 1970s Forsyth Barr was first into the New Zealand market with a broad range of investment solutions, including a fixed interest monitoring service. This innovation continued with the introduction of cash management and nominee services in the 1980s, along with portfolio management services and the first low cost retirement fund in the 1990s.

The company grew rapidly through that period, opening offices in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Invercargill, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North and Napier. This growth has continued, with Forsyth Barr now operating 25 offices across the country providing investment advisory and portfolio management services covering over $20 billion of clients' investments.

1970s	First to market with a broad range of investment solutions, including a fixed interest monitoring service.
1980s	Introduces cash management and nominee services. Opens office in Christchurch.
1990s	Introduces portfolio management offering. The first low-cost retirement fund. Opens offices in Invercargill, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North and Napier.
2000s	NZX firms Frater Williams, Esam Cushing, and Young & Co join with Forsyth Barr. Expands to Hamilton, Hastings, Nelson, and Tauranga. Purchases Leveraged Equities Finance Limited.
2010s	Acquires NZX firms in Timaru and Ashburton. Opens offices in Whangarei, North Shore, Cambridge, New Plymouth, Queenstown and Kapiti. Sponsorship of Forsyth Barr Stadium commences. Forsyth Barr Asia office opened. Summer KiwiSaver scheme launched. David Kirk appointed Chairman.
2020s	Acquires NZX firm in Wanaka and opens new offices in East Auckland, Masterton, Orewa and Marlborough bringing our total number of offices nationwide to 25. Establishes strategic wealth management partnership with Westpac New Zealand. Acquires Hobson Wealth Partners Limited.

Last updated: 6 December 2024