Led by lifelong local Peni Tapueluelu, MTF Māngere is more than another loan provider moving in. It’s a place where people can come in, sit down, and understand their money.
With a background in education across South Auckland, Peni has seen firsthand how hard it can be for families to make sense of the fine print and make confident financial decisions. He believes finance should be clear, fair, and work in the best interest of the consumer. He’s set on making that the norm in his community.
Peni Tapueluelu
“Being from Māngere, I understand the aspirations and needs of our people,” says Peni. “This is more than a business – it’s a way to strengthen my community through financial education and access to lending that puts people first.”
With financial literacy a core focus for the team, Peni plans to host a series of community financial education seminars. These sessions won’t be sales pitches, but open and honest conversations about what to consider when borrowing, how to spot red flags, and how to expect more from your lender, no matter who you borrow from.
Peni has partnered with Joanna, Simon and Neil Wolfgram, long-term MTF Franchise owners. Joanna says this people-first approach is what drew her to the partnership. “MTF is built on personal, straight-forward processes that are designed to put customers in the driver’s seat. We take the time to make sure people actually understand what they’re signing up for, and that it works for them. That’s what makes the difference.”
Says MTF CEO Chris Lamers, “MTF Māngere reflects what the wider business stands for: local service, real conversations, and making finance feel less overwhelming. While others are stepping back or moving everything online, MTF gives customers the choice, the convenience of online as well as a local money expert they can talk to. MTF continues to invest in communities, with a 10 percent increase in franchises over the past three years.”
