NZ Funds chief executive Richard James says the company wishes to be supportive of the independent financial industry in a time when business conditions are very challenging for advisers, both from an environmental and regulatory perspective.

"We see a lot of opportunity to connect with advisers by looking at how things might evolve.

"We have invested heavily in our advice thinking and technologies over the last few years and we see the opportunity to share what we've been doing in that space."

IFA chief executive Peter Lee says NZ Funds will help out in the area of professional development with its resources being made available to members and with knowledge shared in particular areas such as behavioural finance and investment.

He says through behavioural finance NZ Funds can help advisers anticipate how clients will respond to different situations, so they can prepare themselves for client questions, endeavouring to help them.

Lee says for example, if the sharemarket drops by 20%, what's an investor likely to do?

"If you can anticipate such questions you are more likely to get clients and retain them. It's about becoming a better adviser by understanding more about what makes people tick."

He says NZ Funds will also help advisers develop knowledge around investment management, investment theory and practice.

James says NZ Funds believes that in working with the Institute it can help members continue to strive to be at the forefront of industry thinking.

"That will assist not only members of the institute, but the financial adviser industry as a whole," he says. 

NZ Funds will present at two of the three IFA roadshows each year and at conference.