Pictured above: Greg Chapman.
Kiwi entrepreneur Greg Chapman has transformed a personal passion project into one of New Zealand’s most trusted bullion businesses.
When Greg Chapman began collecting gold and silver, it was a personal interest—an alternative investment he explored while working full-time in financial services.
As his collection grew, so did his understanding of the market and the opportunity within it. Drawing on his professional background, where trust, transparency and risk management are essential, Greg saw the potential to turn that private passion into a public enterprise.
So, eventually his modest personal precious metal collection became the seed for what would become Best Bullion, now Christchurch’s highest-rated precious metals dealer.
He began sourcing products, not locally at first as attempts to establish domestic partnerships fell flat, but in Australia where one well-timed phone call led to a breakthrough relationship with a key supplier. With that, a side hustle was minted.
Turning a personal passion into a national brand
What began as CPM Bullion, a home-based operation with no physical storefront, grew steadily as Greg juggled after-hours orders with a demanding day job. Late-night customer calls and weekend packing sessions became routine.
“I’d work on it until 10 or 11 at night, whatever it took. I couldn’t do it during my nine-to-five, so it was all after hours. There wasn’t really an off switch.”
Greg credits his insurance background for instilling an appreciation for risk and the importance of security, an ideal pairing for bullion which is not only high in value but highly targeted by thieves.
That mindset shaped his approach to logistics, pricing, customer trust and facilitation of bullion insurance.
Still, he knew that to grow, visibility was crucial.
“Very few people are comfortable sending thousands of dollars to a company they can’t physically locate. Having a store builds trust.”
In June 2025, Best Bullion opened its doors in central Christchurch. That move proved to be a defining pivot, elevating the brand to full-fledged investment destination.
While the storefront serves primarily as a secure pickup location, and can be visited by appointment only, its presence reassures both new and returning customers.
“Bullion is one of those products where credibility matters. You’re not just selling metal, you’re selling confidence,” Greg says.
Educating investors in a digital-first marketplace
While the storefront added reassurance, the core of Best Bullion’s operations remains digital.
Bullion, unlike traditional retail, is not built for drop-ins or browsing.
Inventory moves fast, prices fluctuate by the minute, and margins are razor-thin, typically around 1.5 percent. Every transaction must be hedged in real time to avoid loss from sudden market shifts.
“A few weeks ago, gold moved $100 in an hour. If I didn’t hedge a sale right away, that’s all our margin wiped out.”
Efficiency is paramount. The company uses customised automation tools to streamline tasks like invoicing and payments, and the website is kept current to ensure accurate pricing at the point of sale.
In an industry long dominated by traditional and sometimes opaque practices, Greg says that he has built his model around transparency.
“When I first got into bullion, I had no idea what I was doing. There were things I wish I’d been told, like the fact that when you resell, you don’t get a premium for buying a flashy brand like PAMP Suisse. You get the same price as a lower-premium bar, like Intrinsic Tender.”
Best Bullion is currently New Zealand’s only supplier of Intrinsic Tender, a high-purity investment product with a lower entry price. It is part of Greg’s mission to make bullion more accessible and understandable, especially for first-time buyers.
Clients include everyone from minimum-wage workers investing in a single silver coin each month to prominent developers making six-figure purchases. The company handles each transaction with the same care and discretion.
He has however noticed a shift in demographics for bullion investors in New Zealand. Alongside seasoned investors and high-net-worth individuals, more young people are showing interest in investing in gold and silver, often encouraged by financially savvy parents.
“We had a mum come in with her 13-year-old daughter the other day. That’s becoming more common. People are starting to see gold and silver as generational assets, something tangible they can pass on.”
Operating with a lean team of just Greg and his partner Tagira, the business is still able to process high-value transactions.
“Sales values can vary dramatically, and while most purchases are modest, some are substantial. The largest single transaction to date has been around $400,000, though, that is still considered small by global bullion standards.
“Some people assume we’re making huge profits because they see the high ticket values. But on a $7,000 sale, our gross margin might be $100. That’s it.”
Futures outlook
Looking ahead, Greg is cautious but optimistic. After a recent two-month surge in demand, sparked by international news coverage and perceived supply shortages, sales have stabilised. The focus now is on sustainable growth, brand building, and continued education.
“Gold and silver have been around for thousands of years. They’re not going anywhere. What’s changing is how people buy and who they trust to guide them.”
To other entrepreneurs eyeing a leap from side hustle to full-time venture, Greg offers a grounded perspective. He advises overpreparing, expecting long nights, and avoiding the assumption that the work stops when you leave your day job.
“There’s no magic formula. But if you’re committed, consistent, and honest, you’ll build something solid.”
