INFINZ Awards: Milford Asset Management Sharebroking Firm of the Year

David Lewis (Milford Asset Management) presents the award for Sharebroking Firm of the Year to James Lee (First NZ Capital). Photo / Garry Brandon

First NZ Capital Securities

First NZ Capital beat fellow finalists Craigs Investment Partners and Macquarie Equities to be named top sharebroker.

James Lee, First NZ's head of securities, said the broking industry was hyper-competitive and watching Geoff Zame of rival broker Craigs pick up the same award last year had been a "motivating factor".

"The only reason why people improve is because you keep getting pushed and we all push each other every day," Lee said.

First NZ was a joint lead manager of Genesis Energy's initial public offering, the biggest float of 2014.

Other IPOs it was involved with included medical software developer Orion Health and Christchurch-based fruit marketer Scales Corporation.

Two of the firm's analysts were finalists for this year's Infinz Research Analyst of the Year Award.

New Zealand's six full-service broking houses are eligible for the sharebroker award, determined by polling among 15 local institutions that are active investors in Australasian equities. Judging criteria include research quality and client service.