Meet Our Team

Our Adviser team members work closely with you – the business owner – and with the key people within your business. “We recognise that most business owners run their businesses to create a lifestyle today and for the future. We protect those aims and assist with succession strategies”.

MTG Auckland

Maurice Trapp

Chairman
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Brent Wright

Managing Director
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Shari French

Adviser
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Rod Palmer

Adviser
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Lee Knapp

Adviser
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Lee Amodeo

Adviser
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John Ah Kuoi

Adviser
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Shalini Singh

Adviser
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Tim Jones

Adviser
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Gillian Budden

Office Manager
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Rae Williamson

Underwriting Admin
Email Rae
Petra Zutic

Underwriting Admin
Email Petra
Yolly Vargas

Finance
Email Yolly
Maurice Trapp
In 2006, Maurice launched his new business MTG, with his partners Brent Wright and Andrew Lacy. Maurice has been involved in the financial services industry since 1980. Early in his career he focussed on the needs of business owners, their succession plans, their business risk and security as well as their personal and family requirements. Today, he continues an active involvement in his business, coaching and developing new Advisers as well as assisting a number of clients with their personal and business risk issues. Back in the late 1980′s early 90′s, his coaching and selection of the Auckland Provincial Rugby Team, set new standards of excellence and sustainability within New Zealand provincial rugby – a record of success that arguably has never been bettered. Maurice transfers his approach to rugby coaching to his passion of his business and his relationship with his clients. His strengths are around his ability to listen, absorb and challenge when necessary. He works closely with Shirlaws N.Z. – a business coaching firm and is a shareholder and director of that business. In his spare time, Maurice is fully involved with two closely connected charities. As Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation he leads a team of dedicated rugby legends in supporting seriously injured rugby players and their families. Linked to the Foundation, Maurice is the longest serving Trustee of the N.Z. Spinal Trust that works out of the Burwood facility in Christchurch and also supports the Auckland Spinal Unit and nationally, all spinally impaired people.

Brent Wright
Brent has over 18 years in the insurance industry, eight of those as head of sales and overall distribution in the corporate insurance world, and a Degree in Business (Finance). As a result, he brings a wealth of knowledge, strong contacts, networks and experience to the team. Brent is married with two young daughters and enjoys training for endurance sports.

Shari French
Shari has been in the insurance industry since 1991 and is committed to providing clients with enthusiastic, intelligent and no nonsense advice. She takes the protection of clients’ businesses and families seriously, dedicating herself to doing this proactively and with integrity. Shari’s knowledge and experience, tenacity and empathy are invaluable when claims inevitably arise.

Rod Palmer
Rod has a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to business owners as they consider their insurance risks. From operating his own business to working in marketing roles in the construction industry, he understands the pressures and demands on business owners. Rod sees this experience as an essential part of how to weigh up the balance between risk and cost. He helps develop solutions that deliver certainty of outcome while retaining a realistic view of the demands on cash flow.

Lee Knapp
Lee has worked in the corporate and adviser spheres of the insurance industry. She is an expert in developing plans, for any stage of business or life, that will suit today and into the future. Lee’s ability to listen and dig deeper will ensure that key issues are brought to light and the right solutions put in place. With a keen focus on business insurance, she makes appropriate recommendations to protect your business revenue, shareholders protection, debt and other business risks.

Lee Amodeo
Lee is dedicated to focusing on his clients’ individual needs – the key to success in insurance broking. He provides a customised insurance program moulded to fit the client’s unique requirements. When a loss occurs, Lee is there to assist – from reporting the loss through to settlement. Lee holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), and a Bachelor of Business Studies (Finance). He joined the insurance industry in 2002 as a trainee with Sovereign Assurance. Four and a half years later, he joined the Advisers Team at Maurice Trapp Group. As an authorised financial adviser (AFA), Lee can also provide KiwiSaver advice. An avid sports fan, Lee plays golf regularly and loves the outdoors. He has a passion for rugby league and the Warriors.

John Ah Kuoi
Stimulated by challenges and opportunities to exercise resourcefulness, John relates well to all age groups and prides himself on being thorough and professional in dealing with clients and colleagues. John is an enthusiastic member of the Adviser Team and enjoys providing practical help and efficient service. He is confident and capable in a face to face role with clients and behind the scene, organising and dealing with administration duties. John’s skills in dealing with people and his natural ability to put them at ease come from an 18-year strong background in the active sportswear industry.

Alexandra Paul
Alex has worked in the insurance industry for five years and is committed to ensuring that families and businesses are properly protected and their needs taken care of. Having seen the effects personally of not having the correct protection in place and how that can affect a family, it is important for her to know that others are not in that same position. Originally from the UK, Alex has two young children and now calls New Zealand home.

Shalini Singh
With a background of Banking, Finance and Real Estate, Shalini brings invaluable experience to her role as an adviser with the Maurice Trapp Group. Shalini’s friendly, professional and transparent approach has proven most effective in establishing a level of confidence and trust with clients from initial contact. Shalini’s philosophy is that a client is a business partner who works with her to achieve the best possible outcome for the business and its people. With the attributes and quality she possesses Shalini will ensure that clients will enjoy a level of confidence and comfort in dealing with a reliable and trustworthy resource.

Tim Jones
Tim grew up on a farm in the lower South Island before graduating from Otago University with a Bachelor of Commerce and Tourism in 2005. Following that, he headed to Auckland to spend two years at ING Life – now OnePath –where he honed his insurance knowledge and skills, before joining Maurice Trapp Group in 2009. Tim is driven and motivated by delivering superior customer service, with his clients at the heart of everything he does. He works closely with clients to fully understand their risks to ensure that if they were to suffer a downturn in health or, if the worst was to happen, their insurance policies would provide their family with financial security and their business would continue. In his spare time, Tim can be found watching most sports, with the Otago rugby team one of his great passions, or working on his golf swing.

Gillian Budden
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Rae Williamson
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Petra Zutic
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Yolly Vargas
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