Insurance Solutions
A strong financial plan protects what you have built. Whether it is your income, your family, or your business — the right insurance ensures that an unexpected event does not undo years of hard work and careful planning.
Insurance that works as hard as you do
Most people think about insurance when something goes wrong. We think about it before anything goes wrong — so that when life does not go to plan, your financial position is protected and your recovery is straightforward.
Do you have the right cover in place if you were unable to work tomorrow? Is your business protected if a key person was suddenly gone? Does your insurance reflect your life and your obligations as they are today — not as they were when you first took out the policy?
With over 30 years’ experience advising New Zealanders on insurance across both personal and business contexts, we understand what genuine protection looks like. We review your situation thoroughly, work across the market to find the right cover, and stay alongside you to make sure it remains appropriate as your life and business evolve.
Our insurance services
We advise on the full range of personal and business insurance products available in New Zealand. Select a category below to explore the specific cover options within it.
Protect your income, your health, and your family with tailored personal cover — including life insurance, health insurance, trauma cover, income protection, disability insurance, and mortgage protection.
Protect your business against the financial risks that matter most — including key person insurance, business continuity, business debt protection, run-off cover, and shareholder protection.
What's Included
Our insurance advisory service covers both personal and business insurance — and critically, we look at both together. For business owners in particular, the interaction between personal and business cover is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of financial planning.
We are not tied to any single insurer or product provider. Our recommendations are based entirely on what is right for your situation — drawn from across the New Zealand insurance market.
Comprehensive insurance needs assessment
We review your full financial situation — your income, your health, your debts, your business, your family obligations — and identify every significant insurance gap. Most people are surprised by what they find.
Independent advice across the whole market
We are not tied to any insurer or product provider. We compare options across the New Zealand insurance market to find the cover that genuinely fits your situation — not the product that pays the highest commission.
Ongoing cover review as your life and business change
Insurance is not a set-and-forget decision. We review your cover regularly and update it when your circumstances change — ensuring you are never under-insured, over-paying, or carrying cover that no longer fits.
Claims support when you need it most
When you need to make a claim, we support you through the entire process — helping you document your claim correctly, liaising with the insurer on your behalf, and making sure you receive everything you are entitled to.
What people say about Collaborative Consulting
“I got to know John whilst working with him in developing his company’s brand principles to strengthen the emotional connectedness with his clients. During this period, I gained a deep understanding of John’s ethics and strong desire to help people both through the good times and the bad times.
His strongest desire is to make a tangible difference for his clients and future generations of their family. John has a strong sense of family, he believes strongly in wanting to contribute back to the community.
I can honestly say I have not met a financial adviser where money is not the financial driver for him, it’s much more personal, it’s about making a difference. I’d recommend anyone who wants certainty in their financial investments talk to John.”
Michael Major BA (Hons) MDM
Property Development Consultant, Future Proofing Strategist
“John is the consummate professional in the Financial Planning and Investment sector. He has walked the talk, having successfully grown and lead businesses to achieve dramatic results. Through it all, he has helped people reach their personal and professional goals and engages with them comprehensively to ensure they achieve what they need to.
There’s no nonsense with John – if you want to succeed, he will help you do it and in doing so, you will meet and be assisted by one of the nicest and most professional people I know, who also lives by a set of principles steeped in integrity. A hard thing to find these days!
I strongly recommend you contact John and get to know him. You won’t regret it.”
Warren Cummins
Managing Director, Dale Carnegie Auckland and BRS Management
“Choosing someone to look after your money is an important decision especially if you are like me and have no idea about investments.
When I left my marriage I had money from the sale of the house. As I was now on my own financially I understood that I needed to ensure that not only was my money going to be safe but would also be working for my future.
I met with a few financial advisers but none of them really instilled me with confidence. I was feeling a bit lost and frightened about making the wrong decision.
Pam Martin
Arbonne Independent Consultant
“We are all specialists in our own area of business. We love referring our clients to an equally dedicated specialist, John Milner of Collaborative Consulting Ltd.
John has been able to help our clients leverage and re-invest their hard-won gains, made both personally, and in business. John has been working in his area of Investment Expertise for a long- time, so has ridden all of those waves in the marketplace. He is committed to helping clients mitigate their investment risk, and in these days and times, his level-head and thorough but relatable approach to Investment are exactly what we all need.
He makes investing simple, effective and takes the worry away.”
James Kelso
CPA, Director, Kelso Marsh Consulting Ltd
“I have known for some time now as part of my business networking group. From the start I have been impressed by John’s professionalism and his knowledge base. John takes what he does seriously and is quite clearly very dedicated to serving his clients well.
I have no trouble recommending him to anyone in need of sound financial advice.”
Rory Laubscher
Corporate Photography Specialist Firefly Photography
Our Process
When you work with us, we use our proven 3-step system. By understanding your situation and the goals you want to achieve, we work out a unique plan to help you get there smoothly.
Insurance advice that protects your full financial picture
Years of experience advising New Zealanders on personal and business insurance as part of a comprehensive financial plan.
The right insurance strategy is not a collection of individual policies — it is a coherent protection framework that covers every significant risk in your financial life. We build that framework and keep it working over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about insurance that isn’t answered here? We’re happy to help — get in touch.
Do I need both personal and business insurance?
If you own a business, almost certainly yes. Personal insurance protects you and your family. Business insurance protects the business and its stakeholders. For business owners, the two are closely connected — and we look at both together to make sure there are no gaps between them.
How do I know if my current insurance cover is adequate?
Most people do not know until something goes wrong. We conduct a thorough insurance review that compares your current cover against your actual financial exposure — identifying gaps, duplications, and policies that no longer fit your situation.
How often should I review my insurance?
We recommend an annual review at minimum, and a review whenever your circumstances change significantly — a new mortgage, a new child, a change in income, a new business obligation, or a health event. Insurance that was appropriate three years ago may not be appropriate today.
Are you independent? Do you receive commissions from insurers?
We provide independent advice and our recommendations are based entirely on what is right for your situation. We are transparent about how we are remunerated and will always explain this clearly before making any recommendation.
Can you help if I already have insurance policies in place?
Yes. We regularly review existing insurance arrangements for clients who want a second opinion or who feel their current cover may not be right. We assess what you have, identify what needs to change, and help you make the transition without any gaps in cover.
What is the difference between insurance advice and just buying a policy online?
Buying a policy online gives you a product. Insurance advice gives you a strategy. We assess your complete situation, identify what you actually need, compare options across the market, and make sure your cover is structured correctly. The difference in outcomes — particularly at claims time — can be significant.
Do you work with clients across New Zealand?
Yes. We advise clients throughout New Zealand on both personal and business insurance via video call and phone. Location has never been a barrier to getting quality insurance advice.