5 Minutes With... Peter Norris, Squirrel

Peter Norris of Squirrel says the best advice he's been given is, “You can’t push spaghetti, you have to pull it.”

Peter Norris of Squirrel says advisers are already changing the industry. 

Years in industry: 8 Location: Takapuna

Why did you get into mortgage broking?
Worked at BNZ for 5 years and the corporate world is not for me. More to the point though, I didn’t enjoy having access to only one solution for my clients. As a mortgage broker my ability to help clients build portfolios and achieve their financial goals is significantly enhanced. 

How would you sum up mortgage advisers in three words?
The smarter choice.

What advice would you give to a new mortgage adviser?
Get comfortable with drinking… Also, understand early on what it is you are trying to achieve in the industry and the difference you are going to make in people’s lives. Kiwis' are under educated and you have the ability to push civilization forward by helping the average person become more financially savvy. Your personal brand is everything and this is a tiny country. Be your word and have integrity, the success will follow.

How would you change the industry?  
We already are…

What’s the most important thing an adviser can do to develop their business?  
Build strong relationships. Stay humble, be prepared to learn and grow. Live on the extra mile and be outcome orientated.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“You can’t push spaghetti, you have to pull it.”

If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?  
Change the flag and put all the country's money into exploring multi planetary migration ……. KIDDING (sort of)! I would develop a financial literacy module for all Secondary Schools and make it a compulsory subject for students to take. I’d then set up a University based around only financial education and property education including investing or developing.

What has been the highlight of your career?
Hiring Mark Linton.

What’s your favoured style of coffee?  
Latte one sugar.

Union, league, soccer or other?  
All of the above. I play Soccer but prefer to watch Rugby.

If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey.

Complete this sentence:
If I wasn’t in mortgage broking, I would be… Leaving a dent in the universe.

Every Monday we’ll feature a different mortgage adviser from across New Zealand. If you’d like to be included, please email us here.