Private Wealth Adviser
A private wealth adviser provides something most financial services cannot — genuine depth of knowledge, a long-term relationship, and advice that covers every aspect of your financial life rather than one narrow slice of it.
The difference a private wealth adviser makes
Most financial advice is transactional. Private wealth advice is relational. We take the time to truly understand your situation, your goals, and your concerns — and we stay alongside you as both change over time.
Are you getting the level of attention your financial situation deserves? Do you feel like your adviser truly knows you — or are you just another client in a large book? Is your financial advice genuinely coordinated across investments, retirement, insurance, and estate planning?
John Milner deliberately works with a limited number of private clients. This means every client gets his full attention — not a junior analyst or a call centre. With over 30 years’ experience and qualifications including CFP™, CLU, he is one of the most credentialled private wealth advisers in New Zealand.
What's Included
Private wealth advice at Collaborative Consulting is built around a genuine, long-term relationship with John Milner. You are not passed between advisers, not managed by a junior analyst, and not reduced to a risk profile on a spreadsheet.
We look at every aspect of your financial life and make sure it all works together — your investments, your retirement strategy, your insurance, your estate, and your tax position — coordinated and reviewed as a whole.
Are you getting the level of attention your financial situation deserves? Do you feel like your adviser truly knows you — or are you just another client in a large book? Is your financial advice genuinely coordinated across investments, retirement, insurance, and estate planning?
John Milner deliberately works with a limited number of private clients. This means every client gets his full attention — not a junior analyst or a call centre. With over 30 years’ experience and qualifications including CFP™, and CLU, he is one of the most qualified private wealth advisers in New Zealand.
Direct access to a senior adviser at all times
You work directly with John Milner, not a junior adviser or a call centre. When you have a question or a concern, you can reach the person who actually knows your situation and has the authority to act.
Whole-of-life wealth strategy
We look at every aspect of your financial life — investments, retirement, insurance, estate planning, and tax — and make sure they all work together as a coherent strategy rather than a collection of disconnected decisions.
Coordination with your other advisers
We work alongside your solicitor, accountant, and other professional advisers to make sure every part of your financial life is aligned. This coordination often surfaces opportunities and avoids costly oversights.
Long-term relationship built on genuine understanding
We invest the time to understand not just your finances but your values, your family, and what you are really trying to achieve. That depth of understanding makes every piece of advice more relevant and more effective.
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.
Private wealth advice built on trust and deep understanding
Years of private wealth advisory experience helping New Zealanders with complex, high-value financial situations.
We work exclusively for you — not for a product provider or an institution. Our only measure of success is whether your wealth is growing, your goals are being achieved, and you are sleeping soundly at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about private wealth advice or whether we are the right fit for your situation? Get in touch.
What does a private wealth adviser do?
A private wealth adviser provides comprehensive, personalised financial advice across all aspects of your financial life — investments, retirement, estate planning, tax strategy, insurance, and more. Unlike a general adviser, a private wealth adviser works with a small number of clients and knows their situation in depth.
What makes Collaborative Consulting a private wealth practice?
We deliberately work with a limited number of clients. This means John has the time and depth of knowledge to truly understand each client’s situation, goals, and concerns. You are never just a number or a file on a desk.
What level of wealth do I need to work with you?
We do not publish a minimum. The right fit is about more than asset size — it is about whether we can genuinely add value to your situation. We are happy to have an initial conversation to assess whether we are a good match.
How do you differ from a standard financial adviser?
A standard adviser often works with a large number of clients and provides more generalised advice. As a private wealth adviser, John works with fewer clients and provides deeply personalised guidance across every aspect of their financial life, with a long-term view that spans generations.
Can you work alongside my accountant and solicitor?
Yes. We actively collaborate with other professional advisers to make sure your financial strategy is coherent and that everyone is working toward the same goals. Many clients find this coordination alone saves them significant time and avoids costly inconsistencies.
Do you work with clients across New Zealand?
We work with clients throughout New Zealand. While we are based in Auckland, we use video calls and phone to maintain close relationships with clients regardless of location.
What is the first step in working with you?
An informal conversation to explore whether we are the right fit for each other. There is no obligation, and we will always be direct about whether we think we can add meaningful value to your situation.
Related financial advice and wealth management services
With Collaborative Consulting by your side, we can help across a broad range of financial planning needs.
Investment Management
Bespoke portfolio construction and active management as part of your comprehensive private wealth strategy.
Wealth Planning
A structured financial plan that brings all aspects of your private wealth together in a single, coherent strategy.
Legacy Planning
Thoughtful planning for how your wealth will be protected and passed on to the people and causes you care about.