A free handbook, a clear framework, and everything you need to plan with confidence 

With the Code of Professional Conduct for Financial Advice Services 2025 now in effect, advisers and FAPs are working to ensure their CPD reflects updated expectations around competence, knowledge and skill. To support the industry, Strategi Institute is releasing the 2026 Complete CPD Handbook in late January, and it will be free to download. 

This comprehensive handbook gives advisers and FAPs a simple, structured way to plan CPD that is practical, defendable and aligned with the new 2025 Code. 

What’s inside the 2026 CPD Handbook 

The handbook provides a clear framework and practical tools to help advisers and FAPs plan and document CPD for the year ahead. It includes: 

• Foundational CPD that can be completed annually as refresher training. 

• Role specific CPD bundles curated by Strategi Institute. These support knowledge across Code Standards, FMC Act advice duties and FAP standard conditions. 

• Guidance on incorporating training from product providers or aggregators in a defendable way. 

• Practical steps for FAPs to identify adviser specific CPD needs and tailor training accordingly. 

• Sample Professional Development Plans for different adviser roles. 

• Twenty new interactive foundational CPD modules. 

What to do while you wait 

While the 2026 CPD Handbook will be released in late January, there is one practical step advisers can take now. To keep knowledge aligned with the updated benchmark qualification, the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5) version 3, the recommended starting point is Closing the Gaps, as outlined in our earlier article. It is straightforward, low cost and defendable, bridging the differences between earlier Level 5 qualifications or AFA status and the expectations reflected in the 2025 Code. Completing Closing the Gaps now provides a strong base for 2026 and means meaningful CPD is already underway before the handbook arrives. 

A confident start to your 2026 CPD plan 

With the free 2026 CPD Handbook and the Closing the Gaps course, you will have everything you need to plan CPD with confidence. If you have any questions or want to talk through what this means for you or your FAP, we are always here to help.