Guardian Trust currently has 59 AFAs - almost 3% of the total number of AFAs in New Zealand - and is training up another nine advisers to become authorised, according to general manager client services Phil Morgan-Rees.

However, he said Guardian Trust was also happy to recruit existing AFAs from outside the company if they were suitable and there was a need to fill.

"We have recruited individuals who have come to us with authorisation; it starts with what's best for our clients," he said.

"As things change no organisation stands still; we do keep an open mind to individuals who would suit Guardian Trust and have got trust experience.  We are recruiting in one of our offices."

Morgan-Rees said Guardian Trust was "first and foremost" a trustee, but it also had a long history of managing clients' money; it currently has about $3 billion under management.

"We've had some clients who have been with us for generations."

Meanwhile, the company is running a series of seminars this month discussing its "sleep at night" investment strategy, which is focused on capital protection as well as wealth accumulation.

Investment manager Chris Glackin, an authorised financial adviser, said achieving superior long-term performance is as much about avoiding disasters as investing in strong performers.

"Our investment strategy is to take an active, long-term approach with respect to clients' investment portfolios. We aim to achieve a balance between maximising income and preserving and increasing capital.

"It's a diligent, effective approach that focuses on the underlying fundamentals of potential investments and avoids short-term fads."