Ari Bains

Mortgage Adviser | FSP No. 1008900
Squirrel Mortgages Ltd | FAP Licence No. 136364

Proudly recognised as one of New Zealand's Rising Stars 2025 by NZ Adviser (NZA).

Ari’s here to make sure your mortgage journey is smooth from start to settlement. With a Diploma in Business Management and a Financial Advising Level 5 qualification, he’s got the expertise to back it up.

His career has spanned banking, operations, and management, including leading the South Island to top performance at Tank Juice NZ. Safe to say, he knows how to get results.

Outside of work, Ari’s into cricket, football, and attempting to stick to a gym routine. His focus? Exceptional service and making sure clients get the best possible outcome.

Qualifications

Diploma in Business Management and Marketing and NZ Certification in Financial Services.

How Ari is paid

Ari is a salaried adviser and is paid the same no matter which lender you choose, so there's no pressure or bias toward any particular option. At a company level, Squirrel is paid either upfront or through a combination of upfront and trail commissions by its lenders and insurance providers.

In most cases, his services are completely free, however there may be some occasions where he might need to charge a fee. For more information, please head to our mortgage advice disclosure page.

Ari's commitment to you

As a licensed financial adviser, Ari follows the rules set out by the Financial Markets Conduct Act and the Code of Professional Conduct. This means he must put your interests first, act with care, skill and diligence, be competent and ethical and treat you fairly. Ari has no relevant convictions, bankruptcies or disciplinary actions to disclose.

Squirrel Mortgages Limited holds a Financial Advice Provider Licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

If you’re unhappy with the advice or service you receive and want to make a complaint, you can view our complaints process here.

Ari's profile was last updated: September 2025