The Adviser Platform (TAP) is evolving itself beyond traditional group structures to become an open partner for the entire financial advice ecosystem.

The Adviser Platform (TAP) has announced a significant step forward, expanding its role to operate as a national industry support provider designed to strengthen adviser businesses irrespective of their choices around alignment, and in doing so, improve access to quality financial advice for more New Zealanders.

TAP Managing Director Ryan Edwards says the move reflects TAP’s belief that the future of advice lies in collaboration and capability, not exclusivity.

“We want to make it easier for advisers, associations, groups, and licensees to work together without alignment being a barrier. Our goal is simple: strengthen advisers, strengthen the profession, and ensure more New Zealanders can access quality advice,” says Edwards.

Backing advisers. Strengthening advice.

TAP’s purpose is clear: championing independent advice, building sustainable business capability, and helping ensure that more New Zealanders can access quality financial advice.

This step forward is anchored in:

• Championing advisers: TAP exists to back advisers, not control them, supporting independence, professionalism, and long-term success.
• Working together: TAP believes the future of advice is cooperative, not competitive, and works alongside associations, groups, and licensees to strengthen the profession collectively.
• Powering performance: Through technology, data insights, and specialist support, TAP helps advisers modernise, scale sustainably, and stay compliant and client-focused.
• Expanding access to advice: When advisers operate more efficiently and confidently, more New Zealanders can access quality advice, benefiting clients, the profession, and the economy.

TAP Chairperson, TAP Group, Naomi Ballantyne says, this shift reflects a wider move across the sector toward greater openness and shared infrastructure.

“Historical competition around alignment is ending and that’s a good thing for everyone. The next phase is about empowerment. It’s about platforms and providers working together to give advisers what they need to thrive - systems, data, and support that are independent of alignment or control,” says Ballantyne.

Effortless change. Proven outcomes.

TAP is focused on removing the practical and psychological barriers that prevent advisers from modernising, including fear of disruption, change fatigue, worries about loyalties, and the belief that switching systems is too difficult.

TAP’s competitive advantage lies in combining technology and data capability with hands-on operational delivery, making transformation achievable without the pain typically associated with change.

With more than 100 specialist staff supporting data management, administration, and operational transformation, TAP has a proven track record of delivering what advisers value most: outcomes without the effort.

“We’ve built a model that removes the friction from change. Advisers shouldn’t have to choose between modernising their business and protecting the day-to-day client experience - especially because of any loyalty conflicts. They should be able to do both,” says Edwards.

TAP currently supports over 550 advisers nationwide, providing CRM technology, compliance support, data insights, and business development tools to help advice businesses modernise, scale sustainably, and remain client-focused.

This expanded role will now enable closer partnerships across the sector, including through TAP’s proud partnership with Financial Advice New Zealand, alongside adviser groups and licensees seeking adviser empowerment solutions.

“When advisers thrive, clients win. The sector is stronger when we work together,” says Edwards.

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