Our Story

Kahui Advisory was built on lived experience, deep values, and the belief that people always come before numbers.

This is the story of how it came to be — told in Lorretta’s own words, and in the journey of a business shaped by community, resilience, and aroha.

We invite you to watch these short, authentic videos. No scripts, no studios — just the real story behind the name.

Meet the Founder

In three parts, Lorretta shares the whakapapa, career, and vision that gave rise to Kahui Advisory.

Part 1 Roots & Whānau

Grounded in whakapapa and raised by whānau, Lorretta’s journey begins in Ngāwhā and Whangarei — carrying pride, purpose, and the values that guide everything she does. Whānau, she has always known, doesn’t have to be blood. It’s the people who stand beside you.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
My strength is not that of an individual, but that of the collective.

Part 2 Career & Experience

From Whangarei to Wellington, Brisbane and back — eighteen years in accounting and advisory built the technical foundation. But it has always been people, purpose, and integrity that sit at the heart of Lorretta’s journey.

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.
Seek the treasure you value most dearly; if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.

Part 3 Vision & Business

Every lived experience, every challenge, every community connection led to this: a business built on people, purpose, and progress. Cyclone Gabrielle reshaped everything — and from that turning point, Kahui Advisory began to take shape.

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.
 What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.

Te Haerenga — Our Journey

Two more videos tell the story of how Kahui Advisory came to life — the village who helped build it, and the road that tested it.

Part 1 The Spark & The Village

Every business starts with a spark. Lorretta’s began with a long-held dream — but it has never been a solo journey. From day one, mentors, friends, and supporters helped turn a ‘why’ into values, and those values into a brand.

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

Part 2 The Road & The Gem

Has it been easy? No. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. Building something meaningful takes grit, gratitude, and good people — the kind who walk beside you, believe in your vision, and remind you of your purpose when you need it most. Hidden gems are never found on a straight, easy path.

Tū whitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū.
Feel the fear and do it anyway.

This is Kahui Advisory

A business born from real experience, real people, and a genuine commitment to doing things right. We show up for our clients, we invest in our people, and we build with the future in mind — because behind every number is a person, a whānau, and a vision worth believing in.

For Our Clients. For Our People. For Our Future.

Ready to start your own journey with us?