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Forsyth Barr recently opened its new Pukekohe office. Helena O’Neill caught up with Tom Fleetwood about his new role.
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
I was born in the small North Canterbury township of Waikari.
Not long afterwards, my family moved to Oxford, about 40 kilometres northwest of Christchurch, where I grew up on a small beef property with my three brothers.
We enjoyed a very rural upbringing, spending much of our time outdoors.
Sport was a big part of our lives, particularly rugby, and we also rode our horses at A&P shows throughout Canterbury.
Growing up in that environment taught me the value of hard work, resilience and being part of a close-knit community.
What schools did you attend?
I attended Loburn and Oxford Primary Schools before heading to boarding school at Christchurch Boys’ High School for my secondary education.
Can you tell us about your tertiary qualifications?
I have always had a passion for rural New Zealand and the farming sector.
However, our family property was never large enough for me to pursue farming as a career. Instead, I attended Lincoln University, where I completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science.
The degree opened many opportunities within the agricultural industry
I began my career with Ravensdown as a fertiliser representative in Northland before moving into rural banking with ANZ.
I then spent the next 14 years with Rabobank in Pukekohe, working closely with farming businesses across a wide range of agricultural sectors.
It was during my banking career that I was introduced to financial markets and investment management.
The opportunity to work alongside clients on their financial strategies sparked a strong interest in the investment industry and ultimately inspired my transition into wealth management.
Did you embark on an OE/extended working holiday abroad?
I was very fortunate to have an incredible overseas experience.
I started by playing a season of rugby in Argentina before travelling throughout South America for three months.
From there, I moved to Oviedo in northern Spain, where I played another rugby season.
I then relocated to London, where I joined a rugby club with a great group of Kiwis and took on a role as a turf grass seed specialist.
It was a fantastic job that combined my agricultural background with my love of sport.
I travelled throughout England, advising clients on turf grass species for some of the country’s most iconic sporting venues, including Wimbledon, Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Emirates Stadium.
After three memorable years on my OE, I returned to New Zealand and accepted a position with ANZ in Whangārei, marking the beginning of my career in rural banking.
Why did you join Forsyth Barr?
I have always had a keen interest in financial markets, so when the opportunity to join Forsyth Barr arose, it felt like a natural next step in my career.
I was particularly impressed by the firm’s history and values. With more than 90 years of experience, majority New Zealand ownership, and one of the country’s leading investment research teams, Forsyth Barr provides advisers with the insights and support needed to
make informed decisions for clients.
The opportunity to help establish the Pukekohe office was one I couldn’t pass up.
It allows me to work close to home while building strong relationships within Franklin and the wider rural community.
Having spent my career working alongside farming families and rural businesses, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities they face.
I am passionate about helping clients grow and protect their wealth, whether through their business, personal investments or a combination of both.
I also believe there are significant benefits in building wealth outside the farm or business.
Diversified investments can provide greater financial flexibility, reduce risk and create more options when it comes to succession planning and achieving long term family goals.
What’s the special anniversary Forsyth Barr is celebrating in 2026?
This year marks a huge year for Forsyth Barr as we celebrate our 90th Birthday.
As a majority staff-owned firm, it is something we are all immensely proud of.
There are not many NZ businesses that can say that they have hit the 90-year milestone – or that are so well positioned for the next 90.
Why would a person seek expert investment advice from Forsyth Barr?
Today’s investment environment is increasingly complex, and having a trusted adviser can provide clarity and confidence when making important financial decisions.
Having grown up on a small beef property in North Canterbury and spent more than 17 years working with farming families and rural businesses, I understand the values and challenges that are unique to rural New Zealand.
In Pukekohe, I work alongside an experienced team, including Preyesh Master and David Morgan, who together bring more than 35 years of financial services experience.
Backed by Forsyth Barr’s award-winning research team, we provide personalised investment advice tailored to each client’s goals, whether they are growing wealth, planning for retirement, managing succession, or diversifying beyond their business or farm.
I believe successful investing is about building long-term relationships based on trust, sound advice and a disciplined approach.
My goal is to help clients make informed decisions, protect their wealth, and create opportunities for future generations.
In your downtime, where are some of your favourite places to visit in Franklin and what activities?
One of the things we love most about living in Franklin is the fantastic lifestyle and strong sense of community.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me at Iron Yard with my three boys. It’s a great new facility and the perfect place for us to spend time together while trying to improve our golf.
We also spend plenty of weekends at both the Pukekohe Rugby Club and the Pukekohe AFC, supporting our boys and enjoying the community spirit that makes the area so special.
Franklin is also home to some outstanding cafés and restaurants.
It’s hard to pick favourites, but for coffee I regularly visit The Daily Goods, C3, Town Mouse and Your Local.
SuMei is my go-to lunch spot, while The Monarch, Seddon 64, and Bracu in Bombay are all favourites when my partner and I get the chance to enjoy a meal out.
It’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family, with the perfect balance of rural lifestyle, vibrant local businesses and easy access to Auckland.
If there was one thing you’d like to see change in New Zealand society, what would it be?
I’d like to see a greater focus on financial literacy and long-term saving. Throughout my career working with farming families, business owners and now investment
clients, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that good financial knowledge can make.
Equally, I’ve seen how a lack of understanding can prevent people from making the most of the opportunities available to them.
Too many young New Zealanders leave school without a solid understanding of budgeting, debt, investing or the power of compounding over time.
These are fundamental life skills that can have a lasting impact on financial security,
confidence and overall wellbeing.
I believe the gradual increase in KiwiSaver contribution rates is a positive step in the right direction.
As people live longer and the cost of retirement continues to rise, many New Zealanders risk not having enough saved to maintain the lifestyle they want in retirement.
Encouraging higher levels of long-term saving will help individuals build greater financial independence while also creating a larger pool of domestic capital that can be invested in New Zealand businesses, infrastructure and innovation, strengthening our economy for future generations.
More broadly, I’d like to see financial literacy become a core part of every young New Zealander’s education.
If we can help people understand the value of saving early, investing wisely and making informed financial decisions, we’ll create stronger families, more resilient communities and a more prosperous New Zealand.
