Our Team

Matt Richens

Director/Adviser | matt@moneta.co.nz |
027 613 2384 

Growing up surrounded by insurance and family protection, Steve’s son Matt took the long way to being an advisor. For more than a decade he was a sports journalist travelling around reporting on sport for the country’s leading newspapers and websites.

He covered two Commonwealth Games, a cricket, rowing and netball World Cup, World Rally Championship, V8 Supercars and Super Rugby in his time before “partially retiring” to join Dad’s business.

Sport remains a passion, but the father of Harper and Archie now specialises in protecting people’s biggest asset, their ability to earn, and ensuring as many people don’t just have cover, but have the right cover.

“The best time to find out if your cover is fit for purpose is now, not at claim time.”

He hosts the Red and Black Canterbury Sport show on Radio Sport on Saturdays.

Nick Hau

Director/Adviser | nick@moneta.co.nz |
027 545 1160

After more than 20 years working with people when they weren't able to work, Nick's gained a real appreciation for the “What If”. His unique background of being exposed to so many individuals and families affected by their ability to earn an income has created his “Why” in forming What If Planning and in the purchase of Moneta alongside Matt.

With nine years working for the largest New Zealand-owned insurer, the former top-level rugby player is well placed in understanding the inner workings of insurance companies, which will ensure your “What if” plan provides the best outcome at claim time.

Marrying Mandy in 2003 is, without doubt, his greatest achievement, and if not so, he wouldn’t have his two wonderful daughters of which he is so incredibly proud. So it's his strong family values that underpin Nick’s respect for a “What if” Plan, so no matter how complex the personal or commercial situation is, it is the plan that will protect the wealth and financial future of the families it affects.

Ben Kahu

KiwiSaver Adviser | ben@moneta.co.nz |
027 5288 056

Family’s always been the most important thing to Ben. It shapes what he does and how he treats his clients.

Ben came from a role helping families get insulation and heating into their homes and helping those who couldn’t afford it, get it sorted.

He’s brought that philosophy and passion for helping people into his new role at Moneta where he is helping Kiwis build for their future and that of their families.

Outside of work, Ben plays Division 1 rugby for Southbridge and he and his partner Hope have a new Jack Russell Terrier puppy keeping them on their toes.

He’s a positive, down to earth, hard-working young man who genuinely loves helping people and helping educate them.

With such little good information accessible to most people, Ben relishes the chance to help people help themselves.  

Lisa Richens

Office Manager

After having a father involved in the insurance industry for most of his working life, the importance of insurance protection was pretty much ingrained in Lisa. Then becoming part of the Richens family in 2012, having children, starting to work for Moneta in 2017, and then purchasing the business with Matt, Nick, and Mandy in 2019, it further became even more important. Lisa and Matt have two young children Harper and Archie, and two spoodle dogs, Dudley and Benson.

Danielle Paulsen

New Business and Customer Support

Having spent 15 years in insurance and managing claims through the Canterbury Earthquakes, Danielle has an extensive understanding of not only the need for insurance to safeguard ourselves and our lives but also the positive value that a caring and competent advisor adds to the difficult times in which we need to use our insurances.

Matt and Lisa met Danielle and her husband, John in antenatal classes in 2014. She worked alongside Moneta for a number of years and when the New Business and Customer Support role came along, Danielle was the natural fit.

She spends her free time helping to rehome Greyhounds post-racing and raising funds and awareness for the breed. Moneta readily supports her in this and the charities she volunteers with. Her personal passion aligns with Moneta's philosophy of "doing the right thing".

Steve Richens

Founder

Steve was passionate about good advice and helping people – something he did for more than 30 years.  

He found the right cover for his clients’ needs – and budget – and over the years helped hundreds of people when the rubber hit the road at claim time.

He loved a yarn and offering his advice whether it be on insurance, investment, travel, wine or living life to the max.

Steve was one of the country’s longest-serving independent advisers, held positions on a number of advisory committees and was an industry expert for most of his 30+ years.

Unfortunately, Steve died in September 2021, shortly after completely retiring.

He’d sold the business to son Matt and friend Nick at the end of 2018 and worked for the boys for a numbers of years.

He then packed in as much golf with mates and travel with Robyn in what turned out to be his final years.

His legacy within Moneta, its culture and its clients, lives on.