In 1950, both of my parents arrived in New Zealand as part of a much needed migrant labour force to meet the needs of expanding industry.  They later met, fell in love, married and settled in Papatoetoe buying a home.  I was told the reasons for leaving their beautiful islands of Samoa included, better job opportunities, steady income allowing them to support family back in the islands and because they wanted a better life for their children.

As the youngest in the family I learned from all my role-models, the importance of hard work (on and off the rugby league field), being wise with your money, getting an education, and looking after the aiga.

After finishing High School my first full time job was as a clerk with The Housing Corporation, later named Housing New Zealand.  It was there at the age of 17 I entered my name into a ballot to buy a 600^sqm2 section in Manukau and was one of the winners.  At the time I was saving up to buy my first decent car, a Ford Cortina.  But advice from the Head Valuer resonated “you can buy a car anytime, but this section will be worth its weight in GOLD in a few years’ time!”  The decision was easy.  I took the money I was saving  for the deposit and brought the section.  Housing Corporation loaned the balance owing…and I carried on catching the bus to work!

At 19 years of age I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and decided to serve a fulltime proselyting mission.  I needed to fund this two year mission as well as cover mortgage payments so I took a promotion in New Plymouth which placed me in an area where I found work in a different sector and tripled my income providing the necessary funds.

In 1986 I returned home from my mission, met my wife and we married in 1988. Soon after that I entered the financial industry as a tied insurance agent to Royal and Sun Alliance, sold the section I purchased, and used the funds as a deposit for our first home.  After a few years we used the equity from our first home to invest in our first investment property.  Many other investment properties were purchased using the equity as well as business opportunities that came our way.

In 1996 I took the knowledge and experience gained from my foray into property investment and selling life, risk and protection insurance and started my own company, ATL Insurance Services Ltd. I have enjoyed a total of over 30 years combined experience assisting others as I provide financial advice on insurances, mortgages, KiwiSaver and wealth creation through property investment.

I enjoy being a husband, father and grandfather.  I believe in the power of setting goals and continuing to better  myself.  This mindset has helped me earn a 2^nd Dan Black Belt in Shaolin Kung Fu in 2017, graduating from The Australian Institute of Business with a Master of Business Administration degree 2020, and in honing leadership skills as I have served in Ward and Stake leadership positions within the church.

I’m living proof.  If I can do it, you can too!  It just takes what I call the DSA Law - Determination, Sacrifice and Action!