First Mortgage Trust
Fund Manager based in Tauranga
Key Facts
- Provider type
- Fund Manager
- Headquarters
- Tauranga
- Established
- 1995 (30 yrs)
- FSP number
- FSP31642 ↗
- NZBN
- 9429038360961 ↗
- Open offers
- 1 open / 1 total
- Funds listed
- 1
- Website
- fmt.co.nz
Last reviewed: 12 July 2026
About First Mortgage Trust
First Mortgage Trust (FMT) is a Tauranga-based non-bank lender specialising in first mortgage lending, with a track record dating back to 1995 — around 30 years of operation. This directory records funds under management of approximately NZ$2 billion and an investor base of roughly 7,000. The business is a registered financial service provider (FSP31642) and holds NZBN 9429038360961; its manager entity, First Mortgage Managers Limited, is profiled on the FMA's licensed-providers pages. FMT's lending is secured by registered first mortgages over New Zealand property. The vehicle listed on Wholesale Investor is the FMT Wholesale Fund, an evergreen private credit fund open for subscription on an ongoing basis rather than through time-bounded raises. The wholesale fund carries a two-year minimum investment term and sits alongside the manager's retail fund, with a wholesale return margin above the retail fund as described in the manager's materials. Key people recorded in this directory include Paul Bendall (CEO), Andrew Western (CFO), Sam Burgess (Head of Lending), Geoff Newland (Head of Credit) and Matt Tucker (CTO). FMT is not on the NZTE Acceptable Managed Funds list (dated 15 June 2026) for the Active Investor Plus visa. Offers of interests in the FMT Wholesale Fund are made to wholesale investors under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (Schedule 1); minimums, rates and terms are set out in the manager's own offer documents.
Location
Tauranga
Established
1995
30 years track record
Funds Managed (1)
Open Funds & Active Offers(2)
Key People (7)
Paul Bendall
CEO
Leadership
Joined First Mortgage Trust in August 2020 as General Manager, later became CEO. Over 20 years experience in financial and banking sector. Experienced specialist property financier with senior risk management and lending experience.
Andrew Western
CFO
Leadership
Chief Financial Officer overseeing financial operations. Managing over $1.65 billion in funds for 6,500+ investors.
Sam Burgess
Head of Lending
Operations
Head of Lending managing lending operations across FMT's national office network.
Geoff Newland
Head of Credit
Operations
Head of Credit overseeing credit assessment and risk management processes.
Matt Tucker
CTO
Leadership
Chief Technology Officer leading technology strategy and digital transformation.
Jayne Hunt
Head of Marketing and PR
Operations
Head of Marketing and PR managing brand communications and investor relations.
Sharon Weymouth
Head of People and Culture
Operations
Head of People and Culture overseeing HR and organizational development for 40+ staff.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is First Mortgage Trust?
First Mortgage Trust (FMT) is a Tauranga-based non-bank lender specialising in first mortgage lending, with a track record dating back to 1995 — around 30 years of operation. This directory records funds under management of approximately NZ$2 billion and an investor base of roughly 7,000. The business is a registered financial service provider (FSP31642) and holds NZBN 9429038360961; its manager entity, First Mortgage Managers Limited, is profiled on the FMA's licensed-providers pages. FMT's lending is secured by registered first mortgages over New Zealand property. The vehicle listed on Wholesale Investor is the FMT Wholesale Fund, an evergreen private credit fund open for subscription on an ongoing basis rather than through time-bounded raises. The wholesale fund carries a two-year minimum investment term and sits alongside the manager's retail fund, with a wholesale return margin above the retail fund as described in the manager's materials. Key people recorded in this directory include Paul Bendall (CEO), Andrew Western (CFO), Sam Burgess (Head of Lending), Geoff Newland (Head of Credit) and Matt Tucker (CTO). FMT is not on the NZTE Acceptable Managed Funds list (dated 15 June 2026) for the Active Investor Plus visa. Offers of interests in the FMT Wholesale Fund are made to wholesale investors under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (Schedule 1); minimums, rates and terms are set out in the manager's own offer documents.
Where is First Mortgage Trust based?
First Mortgage Trust is based in Tauranga. New Zealand-domiciled funds are subject to the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA) and oversight by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
Is First Mortgage Trust registered with the FMA?
First Mortgage Trust is registered on the FMA's Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR) under FSP31642 and holds NZBN 9429038360961. FSPR registration is a legal requirement for entities providing financial services in New Zealand and does not itself constitute an endorsement. Verify current standing at the FSP register before investing.
How long has First Mortgage Trust been operating?
First Mortgage Trust was established in 1995 and has a 30-year track record. Past performance and operational history are not reliable indicators of future returns — review the fund's Information Memorandum and audited financial statements before investing.
How much capital does First Mortgage Trust manage?
First Mortgage Trust reports assets under management of approximately NZD $2.0 billion as last published. AUM figures are sourced from the manager's own disclosures and may include committed-but-uncalled capital depending on definition — confirm the basis with the manager directly.
What funds does First Mortgage Trust manage?
First Mortgage Trust currently lists 1 fund on Wholesale Investor NZ, of which 1 is evergreen (permanently open for subscription rather than time-bounded vintages).
What is the minimum investment in First Mortgage Trust's funds?
Minimum investments across First Mortgage Trust's currently listed offers range from NZ$500K. Minimums are set per offer and may change for new vintages — confirm the current minimum in the offer's Information Memorandum. Wholesale-only offers also require self-certification under FMCA Schedule 1 before subscription.