16 October 2026
Asteron Life has announced the recipients of its 2026 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Grant Programme, awarding four $5,000 grants to financial advisers committed to growing their businesses, enhancing client outcomes, and strengthening New Zealand's financial advice profession.
Now in its third year, the 2026 programme supports advisers who have attended the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Global Conference, one of the world's premier learning and networking events for financial advisers. The grants help recipients turn ideas and insights gained through MDRT into practical initiatives that benefit their businesses, clients and communities.
Asteron Life National Manager, Advice and Professional Standards, Kevin Turnock, says the programme reflects Asteron Life's commitment to supporting adviser success and fostering innovation across the advice sector.
"One of the things that makes MDRT so powerful is that advisers leave inspired by what's possible and motivated to put new ideas into practice. Through the Asteron Life MDRT Grant Programme, we're helping turn those ideas into reality.”
"This year's recipients have presented thoughtful, practical plans that will not only strengthen their own businesses but ultimately help them deliver even better outcomes for the clients and communities they serve."
The four 2026 Asteron Life MDRT Grant recipients are:
- Ali Aliev, Maurice Trapp Group (Auckland), who will implement a Live Beyond Limits growth strategy focused on increasing market presence within professional networks and further developing the team's professional advice capability.
- Andre and Karen Tourelle, Tourelle Lifebrokers (Bay of Plenty), who are developing and delivering a Next Generation Rural & Business Protection strategy to better engage younger rural families and businesses.
- Michael Martin, BrightNest (Auckland), who is committing to a personal and professional whole-of-self coaching programme designed to support both individual and business growth.
- Terina Wanoa, Simply Insurance (Christchurch), who is restructuring her business model and undertaking further professional development to enable sustainable growth while achieving a better work-life balance.
Recipients were selected through a competitive application process and assessed on the strength of their plans to apply learnings from the 2026 MDRT Global Conference to create meaningful outcomes for their businesses and clients.
Turnock says the calibre of applications received continues to demonstrate the innovation, ambition and professionalism within New Zealand's financial advice community.
"The quality of applications continues to impress us. What stood out about this year's recipients was not only their commitment to their own growth, but their desire to create lasting value for clients and contribute positively to the future of financial advice in New Zealand."
Previous grant recipients have used funding to accelerate technology adoption, implement AI-enabled business tools, expand business capability and improve client engagement, demonstrating the real-world impact the programme can have.
Asteron Life will continue to support this year's recipients over the coming 12 months and share updates on the progress and outcomes of their initiatives.
