Jennie Moreton, Craigs Investment Partners

Step up to the plate and hit us with your elevator pitch. What does Craigs Investment Partners do?

Craigs Investment Partners is one of New Zealand’s leading investment advisory firms. Portfolio management is our specialty. Our experienced advisers have assisted more than 65,000 clients with their investments: from high-net-worth individuals and family trusts to charitable trusts and those just starting out. We manage over $27 billion of client funds.

We’ve 19 branches throughout New Zealand with 170 advisers. Our investment advisers are supported by the expertise of our award-winning research team which is one of New Zealand’s largest. Our advice is founded on our research team's in-depth analysis.

We believe in supporting our local communities via the Craigs Community Fund and we live our values to do what’s right, put people first, be stronger together and strive for excellence

Why have you decided to do Bayleys Plate Up for a Purpose this year?

When the opportunity to be involved was offered to me, I jumped in without a second thought. There’s nothing more important in the fight for equality across society than providing our tamariki with tools to succeed in life on an equal footing with their peers.

Education is one of the most basic of these tools and it is important to ensure all children can start the school year with the confidence and pride being dressed in their uniform and armed with the necessary school supplies brings.

Who’s your chef hero and why?

I’ve lots of chef heroes and I’m a prolific collector of cookbooks, although they might not always be well used. One that I reach for often, however, is my first cookbook given to me by my mother; Annabel Langbein’s Smart Food for Busy People. Annabel does a great job of simplifying fancy food for the home cook and showcases NZ produce to the world.

What’s your signature dish?

I’ve two signature dishes – meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce and carrot cake, both of which are always positively received by family and friends (and the latter at work morning tea shouts). The meatball recipe was passed down to me by my mother, and my husband and sons often request it – it’s a real family favourite!