Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
Mary-Jane Daly has been appointed as a Director at Partners Life
The Board of Partners Life has announced that Mary-Jane (MJ) Daly has been appointed as a Director, effective 2 December 2024.
The Board of Partners Life has announced that Mary-Jane (MJ) Daly has been appointed as a Director, effective 2 December 2024. Ms Daly will assume the role of Chair on 1 February 2025, after a two-month handover period from current Chair Jim Minto.
Daly is a professional Independent Director with over 10 years’ experience. She is currently Chair of both AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited and the Fonterra Shareholders' Fund as well as being an Independent Director of Kiwi Property Group Limited and Kiwibank Limited, and a member of the MBIE Risk and Advisory Committee.
Minto joined the Board in February 2017, with his tenure concluding on 31 January 2025. During his leadership he oversaw the acquisition agreement of BNZ Life Insurance in 2020. He also facilitated the transition of Partners Life to being a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Group Holdings Limited in 2022 following the shareholder sale process.
More news:
O’Hagan Homes Loans & Insurances has merged with Apex Advice
AIA awarded the Accessibility Tick for the second time
BNZ announces investment in fintech company Centrapay
Westpac publish 2024 Sustainability and Climate Reports
Australian advisers told email systems are a point of vulnerability
Impact funds leap from $1 billion to $5 billion of assets under management within a year
Fidelity Life open applications for training programmes
Fidelity Life has opened applications for Advice Masters, Professional Pathways, Practice Manager Masterclass and Career Connect.
Fidelity Life has opened applications for Advice Masters, Professional Pathways, Practice Manager Masterclass and Career Connect.
Applications are open for Advice Masters, Fidelity Life's intensive training and personalised professional development programme designed for experienced business owners in the financial services industry. The programme encompasses a wide range of topics: M&A; capital raising/funding strategies; high performance for business leaders; leading high performing teams; business strategy design and execution; governance; board craft; director skills and sustainability; business efficiency; technology and AI. The 30 available spots are by invitation only – interested people can talk to their business manager or apply here.
Professional Pathways is Fidelity Life's customisable extended training and development programme designed for motivated advisers, who are dedicated to growth and achieving their business goals. Over a 9-month period the programme will take participants through key topics – developing their business; advice and planning; business sales and growth; business efficiency. The programme consists of skills based workshops, self-paced learning through courses, resources and quizzes, online webinars and interactive online workshops.
Practice Manager Masterclass are targeted at admin staff and will help to improve workflow and productivity.
Career Connect is Fidelity Life's comprehensive education and skills programme designed to develop the next generation of financial advisers. Career Connect equips participants with relevant qualifications, practical skills and knowledge, and industry connections. The 2025 intake will commence in May and will run for 6 months. Applicants will be invited for an interview and the fee for the programme is approximately $1650.
More news:
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'Shaping the future of financial advice' 11 December
Unimed offer customers My Food Bag discounts
Russell Hutchinson reviews a game to teach financial literacy
Sam Friggens appointed general manager climate transition at ASB
Health NZ proposing to lay off 1500 staff in restructure proposal
FSC sees opportunities for increased contributions to KiwiSaver
KiwiSaver has been in the news recently with the FMA releasing their KiwiSaver Annual Report 2024. The FSC have welcomed the insights from the FMA report and said they see opportunities for increased contributions.
KiwiSaver has been in the news recently with funds under management surpassing the $100b mark and the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) releasing their KiwiSaver Annual Report 2024. The Financial Services Council (FSC) have welcomed the insights from the FMA report and said they see opportunities for increased contributions. Kirk Hope, CEO of the FSC said,
“With KiwiSaver funds under management surpassing the $100bn mark, this is a great opportunity to look at KiwiSaver contribution settings and how we can make it affordable over time so that New Zealanders can have dignity in retirement.”
“Increasing contribution levels, in combination with financial literacy that helps New Zealanders understand the benefits and mechanisms of KiwiSaver, are key to driving better retirement outcomes,”
More news:
nib join the Sustainable Business Council NZ
Asteron Life, Chubb Life & Fidelity Life are finalists at the New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards
Fidelity Life employees have unlimited access to LinkedIn’s library of courses
IFSO take their first enforcement proceeding against a Participant
Jon-Paul Hale recommends advisers are clear in explaining unfunded medicines
Workplace Savings End of Year Function 2024 on 4 November
Fidelity Life offer advisers opportunity to go on professional development course
FinTech NZ Annual Meeting on 6 November
Mental Health Minister announces Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction Prevalence Survey
AIA release their 2023 Sustainability Report
AIA has released its 2023 Sustainability Report: Sustaining Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
AIA has released its 2023 Sustainability Report: Sustaining Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Key highlights include:
Achieved Toitū carbonreduce certification
Paid 92% of claims received, totalling $734.8M in 2023
Grew to 55,000+ AIA Vitality members, encouraging members to improve their physical and mental wellbeing
Invested into the Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders and Australian Sustainability Leaders funds
Began transitioning fleet to hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel usage
2023 Gallup Engagement Survey Top Quartile in global finance and insurance industry benchmark
Partnered with the Sustainable Business Council, hosting a webinar highlighting their Environment and Our Health Report.
AIA was recognised for its sustainability efforts, winning the 2023 Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance Awards for Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Change, and the Financial Services Council of New Zealand Award for Excellence in Sustainable Practices.
Nick Stanhope, AIA NZ CEO, said
“At AIA NZ, our dream is for New Zealand to be one of the healthiest and best protected nations in the world. We understand that environmental sustainability not only has an impact on the wellbeing of our planet, but on our physical and mental health as well.
By rolling out initiatives and practices which support our ESG goals, we’re demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the environment and the health of our communities.”
More news:
Fidelity Life offer premium waivers to those affected by extreme weather
Partners Life 3-day Training Course starts 19 August
External Reporting Board hold Sandbox Session for Assurance Practitioners
ANZ introduces behavioural biometrics collection, an anti-scam measure
Five strategies for advisers to navigate a high-rate environment
Hays publish salary guide
Hays have published their Salary Guide for FY24/25.
Hays have published their Salary Guide for FY24/25. Of note, the extreme skills shortage is lessening yet there is a hesitancy for businesses to take on new hires, due to macro-economic conditions.
Their survey data highlights the importance of brand reputation; diversity, equity and inclusion policies; and environmental, social and governance strategies in attracting talent. Once an employee starts, team culture and job security are the biggest reasons an employee plans to stay with their employer. A huge 82% of employees said that team culture is the most important factor in their decision to stay with their current employer, and 64% said that continued remote or hybrid working was important. More than 77% of employees are currently looking or planning to look for a new job within the next 12 months, with the rising cost of living being the most cited reason (64%).
Currently, 97% of organisations offered a hybrid working model, with 74% not expecting their hybrid work offering to change in the year ahead. This tracks closely with employee wants, with 92% preferring a hybrid mode of working.
86% of organisations are planning on offering pay rises in the year ahead, though the value of the salary increases is dropping, at odds with employee expectations, with 61% of employees expecting an increase of more than 3%. 71% of employees stated that a pay rise was the most important factor to their career in the year ahead but benefits also featured highly in priorities – with learning and developing technical skills (63%) and being able to work flexibly (54%) being important to people.
The survey had 15,324 respondents across Australia and New Zealand, across both employers (6,461) and employees (8,863).
More news:
mySolutions webinar 'nib - Navigating Health Insurance' 10 July
Financial Advice NZ Professional Ethics Workshop 30 July
Aplus Compliance has merged with Strategi Compliance
The Co-operative Bank share $2.5 million with 135,000 of their customers
Westpac offer financial support to customers affected by the extreme weather events
TAP looking for a Group Senior BAS Accountant
Select committee against bill to limit use of KiwiSaver as part of pay package
The FSC Awards 2024 have been announced
Nominations and entries to the FSC Awards 2024 have opened.
Nominations and entries to the FSC Awards 2024 have opened. There are eight categories, each open to FSC members only, with the exception of the 'Contribution to Community' Award which is also open to registered not-for-profit organisations and charities.
Chair’s Award for Services to the Industry
Team of the Year Award
Emerging Trailblazer Award
Contribution to Community
Workplace Savings Award
Excellence in Sustainability Practices
Excellence in Governance
Excellence in Wellbeing and Inclusion
Entries and nominations close on 30 June 2024, with the awards being presented at the FSC Awards Dinner on Wednesday 4 September 2024 at the Cordis Hotel, Auckland.
More daily news:
The FSC in Australia has announced the formation of the Digital Advice Expert Group
The Co-operative Banks' satisfaction scores much higher than other banks
Legal and regulatory update for the life and health insurance sector
2 Apr 2024 - The Reserve Bank has announced two new members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Carl Hansen and Prasanna Gai are set to join the set-member MPC responsible for the crucial monetary policy decisions that uphold price stability in New Zealand. Hansen began his tenure April 1, succeeding Peter Harris. Gai will start on July 1, taking over from Caroline Saunders. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/reserve-bank-appointments
2 Apr 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has welcomed progress on whenua Māori lending. The Māori Land Court recently released a practice note in regard to lending on Māori freehold land - whenua Māori. The note provides guidance to assist landowners, lawyers and the banking sector with lending against Māori freehold land. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/04/rbnz-welcomes-progress-on-whenua-maori-lending
2 Apr 2024 - The Financial Markets Authority is considering a class exemption that would allow listed companies to bring certain green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked (GSSS) bonds to market more quickly and without incurring most of the regulatory costs of a full retail investment offer. This would operate on a similar basis to the same class exclusion available in the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMC Act), that allows companies that are already-listed to raise further capital using simple, streamlined disclosure. Submissions close 30 April 2024. https://www.fma.govt.nz/business/focus-areas/consultation/consultation-proposed-exemption-for-certain-green-social-sustainability-and-sustainability-linked-bonds/
2 Apr 2024 - Changes to ACC’s Accredited Employers Programme (AEP) aim to deliver a better experience for businesses and workers whose work injury claims are handled by the organisation directly, rather than through ACC. Accredited employers will be given better insights into their performance, more support and guidance to help them improve their worker’s experience as well as injured workers being better supported by their employers.
The changes focus on 4 areas:
Claims and injury management assessment: An improved assessment of the claims and injury management that also better captures workers’ experience and remove unnecessary compliance.
Performance monitoring: A new performance monitoring model that will give accredited employers access to clear and up-to-date information on their performance, the ability to lift performance, and incentives to perform better.
New health and safety assessments: An updated ACC health and safety audit process and a new option of ISO 45001 certification will drive higher quality health and safety systems.
Updated pricing options: More choices under the Partnership Discount Plan, enabling employers to take on longer claims management periods, providing workers with complex injuries greater assurance and more continuity of support.
The changes will take effect from 1 April 2025, with 1 years notice, so accredited employers and ACC have time to prepare and adapt their processes and systems.
https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/final-changes-to-accs-accredited-employers-programme-confirmed/
2 Apr 2024 - The Reserve Bank of New Zealand publish an op-ed by Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr. https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/hub/news/2024/04/rbnz-op-ed-on-cofr
What do you want us to write about?
We’d love to find out what you’d like to read more of this year on the blog. Local industry news? Global insurance news? Health news? Insurtech?
We’d love to find out what you’d like to read more of this year on the blog. Local industry news? Global insurance news? Health news? Insurtech? Let us know here.
Our top read stories since we switched to the new look Chatswood website were Swiss Re’s take on sustainability in life and health insurance, Fidelity Life’s product enhancements and Accuro and Unimed's announcement of their proposal to combine.
Nick Astwick explains how Southern Cross Health Society remains economically sustainable
Nick Astwick, chief executive at Southern Cross, has spoken about how Southern Cross Health Society remains economically sustainable. He details the three key things that the not-for-profit friendly society relies on to keep it sustainable.
Nick Astwick, chief executive at Southern Cross, has spoken about how Southern Cross Health Society remains economically sustainable. He details the three key things that the not-for-profit friendly society relies on to keep it sustainable:
· Young and healthy members - Astwick talks about how having younger, healthier members keeps claims down.
· Prevention – a focus on preventing sickness from happening, like a pilot programme the Health Society is running that offers bowel cancer screening.
· Membership growth and retention – ensuring affordable coverage and accessible benefits to help maintain tenure.
More daily news:
Swiss Re release report on the global economic and insurance market
Partners Life "Last Performance” campaign wins at Agency of the Year awards
The FSC welcome the incoming government
Southern Cross Health Society Annual General Meeting 6 December
Asteron Life customers can score a $50 Prezzy card for every $500 in new premium, up to $5000
MAS webinar 'Financial wisdom for a purposeful retirement' 5 December
Sharesies has launched its KiwiSaver scheme to the general public
David Green says mortgage lending should be taken out of the CCCFA and given its own legislation
Chubb has appointed Adit Witjaksono as property manager for Australia and New Zealand
FintechNZ Annual Meeting 2023 rescheduled to 6 December
Asteron Life and AIA awarded at the ANZIIF NZ Insurance Industry Awards
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) held the 11th New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards on 22 November. Asteron Life were awarded the Life Insurance Company of the Year award. AIA were recognised as winners of the Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance Change categories.
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) held the 11th New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards on 22 November.
Asteron Life were awarded the Life Insurance Company of the Year award. It is the fourth time they have won this award, having also won it in 2013, 2014 and 2021. Judges were impressed by Asteron Life’s Voice of Customer program, which provides insights into the customer experience; their high customer satisfaction scores overall; their policy wordings being accredited with the WriteMark standard; and attention to helping customers with affordable levels of cover. In particular the judging panel praised the variety of customer and people initiatives Asteron Life have implemented, ranging from Connected Care to Kids Cover to a Professional Supervision Programme.
AIA were recognised as winners of the Excellence in Workplace Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and for Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance Change. At AIA all leaders are expected to take responsibility for DE&I measures in recruitment, development, remuneration and the overall workplace environment. AIA recently achieved the Accessibility Tick and implemented a Menopause Tookit initiative. AIA has a five-pillar ESG strategy that incorporates sustainable operations, investment, health and wellbeing, people and culture and effective governance. They have committed to being net zero by 2050 and have already put in place many actions to work towards that goal, including new buildings aligning with green standards. They are committed to ethical investment and have a co-created employee wellbeing strategy in place.
More daily news:
Fidelity Life are holding three Adviser practice manager and admin summits across NZ in February
Fidelity Life are accepting registrations of interest for Adviser Edge 2024
Fidelity Life's last commission run for 2023 is 28 December
Southern Cross announce winners of the 2023 Southern Cross Health Insurance Wayfinder Awards
ASB launch two new Aggressive Funds
Pinnacle Life voted Most Trusted Online Life Insurance Company
Graeme Edwards takes on role of Lifetime Group director and chairman
FSC circulate submission template for feedback on FMA's approach to outcomes focused regulation