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Welcome to our October 2025 Business & Team Update. Each month, we share highlights from across Velocity Financial and Caveo, celebrating team milestones, sharing client success stories, spotlighting new initiatives, and keeping you connected to what’s happening in our business and community.
• Christmas closure and deadline notices
• Team achievements: Brendon completes a month on Te Araroa Trail, Tully qualifies, Joshua marries
• Business news: Manisha speaks at major beauty event
• Client win: Caveo reduces insurance costs by $45k per year for a property owner
• New loan settlement FAQ coming soon
• Industry connections: Best practice, conferences, AI
The office will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday, 23 December, and will reopen at 8am on Monday, 5 January. A limited number of staff will be available during this close down period.
With the holiday season fast approaching, we encourage clients to submit their home loan applications by early December to avoid seasonal delays. Banks typically operate with reduced staffing over Christmas and New Year, which can slow down processing times. To help us keep things moving smoothly, please ensure your application is complete and all supporting documents are accurate and up to date. If you're planning to buy over summer or attend auctions, securing pre-approval early is a smart move. It gives you clarity, confidence, and the ability to act quickly when the right opportunity arises. For more information, see our Home Loans Over the Holidays Guide.
We encourage clients to submit their home loan applications by early December to avoid seasonal delays.
Last month, Velocity Financial Co-Director and Financial Adviser Brendon Ojaja set off on his solo hiking adventure along the Te Araroa Trail, expected to take around 4 months.
Brendon is currently trekking through Auckland as part of his epic journey along the Te Araroa Trail. Having already covered over 600km of New Zealand’s diverse and demanding terrain, Brendon’s adventure recently caught the attention of a local filmmaker, resulting in an interview that spotlighted the extraordinary physical and mental resilience required for such a feat.
After a gruelling 40km day, Brendon experienced a moment of trail magic when a generous trail angel offered coffee and pastries, an unexpected but much-needed boost. “Second breakfasts” have become a cherished ritual when conditions allow, and although his feet have been “beaten into submission,” they continue to carry him steadily southward.
Brendon is expected to return to the office in February 2026. While Brendon is away, his dedicated support team at Velocity Financial will continue to provide seamless service.
Bella Zemba, Brendon's Client Services Manager, will oversee Brendon’s inbox and workflow, including assistance with general enquiries and home loan refixes.
Simon O'Neill, a Velocity Financial Adviser on Brendon’s team, will manage all new and existing lending, insurance, and KiwiSaver matters.
For business-related enquiries, Graham Goodisson, Brendon’s fellow Co-Director, will be available to assist. The wider Velocity Financial team also remains on hand to support with general insurance, planning, and investment needs.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while Brendon undertakes this big adventure.
Read more about Brendon's Te Araroa Trail hike.
Congratulations to Tully Goodisson, Financial Adviser and Client Services Manager, on completing his NCEA Level 5 in Financial Services and earning his Diploma of Business Studies. With a strong background in KiwiSaver and investments, Tully is excited to bring even more expertise to the Velocity team.
Warm wishes to Joshua Rhind, Caveo General Manager and General Insurance Broker, on his recent wedding to Hayley. We’re thrilled for you both and wish you a lifetime of happiness!
“Manisha was incredible assisting me with my first home purchase. She was very supportive and knowledgeable and made sure everything went smoothly. She made the whole process feel a lot less daunting and overwhelming, will be recommending to all my friends.” 5 stars Google Review for Velocity Financial Adviser Manisha Raman, October 2025.
On 18 October at Rydges Formosa Golf Resort in Auckland, Velocity Financial Adviser and former beauty business owner Manisha Raman delivered a standout session at The Industry Insiders event, offering specialist financial guidance to some of Australasia’s top beauty entrepreneurs.
Drawing on over a decade of experience in the beauty industry and her qualifications in mortgages, personal insurance, and KiwiSaver, Manisha shared practical, jargon-free advice designed to help salon owners and beauty professionals feel more confident and protected when it comes to money, insurance, and long-term wealth building.
Her session tackled common financial blind spots, like underinsurance, KiwiSaver misalignment, and retirement planning, and was praised for its clarity, relevance, and impact. Attendees left with actionable insights tailored to the unique challenges of the beauty sector.
Manisha extended heartfelt thanks to the event organisers and her support crew for helping bring the experience to life. Her contribution marked a powerful moment of cross-industry collaboration, reinforcing her mission to be the go-to 'Beauty Biz Finance Fixer' for those working hard to grow resilient, financially secure businesses.
A Wellington Commercial Property was previously valued at $21 million. A review showed that it was only worth $15 million. Thanks to proactive re-evaluation and smart service, Velocity Financial's General Insurance arm, Caveo, adjusted the policy and saved the client $45k per annum on their general insurance premiums.
A new Mortgage Settlement FAQ section will be added to our website in the coming months to help clients understand offers received from banks. We’re committed to sharing the information you need in the most effective way, and we’ll provide further details as they become available.
This month, we have hosted representatives from mySolutions, GYW Law, AIA Vitality and Home Legal to strengthen supplier relationships and enhance our client offerings.
This month our Financial Advisory Team has attended industry conferences and workshops hosted by Booster and Partners Life, keeping our skills sharp and our insights current.
As a business, we are continuing to proudly embracing the transformative potential of AI in financial services. This month, we’re excited to begin onboarding our team with Financial Advice New Zealand’s AI training programme, part of our broader commitment to equipping staff with the skills, confidence, and encouragement to explore and integrate AI tools into their work. We’re continuing to build on our use of Microsoft 365 Copilot tools, which are already helping us streamline workflows and enhance client service. To ensure we stay ahead of this fast-evolving technology, we’ve established both an AI Governance Group and a dedicated AI Training Group. These initiatives reflect our commitment to responsible innovation and to bringing out the best of AI for our people and our clients.
For media enquiries or collaboration opportunities, please contact:
Shona McGregor – Communications Manager
📧 shona@velocityfinancial.co.nz