There are three main types of membership of the NZSA. Each membership corresponds to the education level you have achieved.
In addition, we also offer Affiliate membership which is for professionals who share an affinity with the actuarial profession, or who work alongside actuaries, and who want to be part of the actuarial community in New Zealand. It is also an option for any member who are no longer using technical actuarial skills.
Becoming an Student member
If you want to join the NZSA, but you are not eligible as an Associate or a Fellow you may apply to join as a Student member.
Students wishing to become a student member should submit an application for membership signed by a Fellow, with a certified copy of their academic record.
Most of our Student members are students studying to become actuaries. It is only through passing exams and gaining work experience you can progress to Associate and Fellow designations and use the title of ‘Actuary’.
If you are studying to become an Actuary you will need to be a member of an overseas professional body or enrolled in an Actuarial Science University course. The list below (under becoming an associate member) shows which professional bodies’ qualifications are recognised in New Zealand.
You do not need to be working for an actuarial employer to become an Student member of the Society, but your application does need to be endorsed by a Fellow, who attests that they consider you will represent the Society and actuarial profession in New Zealand positively.
Student members can sit on NZSA Committees and are expected to abide by the NZSA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary process, and comply with CPD requirements (PS10)
If you don’t know any Fellows, you can speak to an actuary in order to get an endorsement.
Becoming an Associate member
To become an Actuary and be awarded the Associate (ANZSA) designation you must attain the equivalent designation at one of the mutually recognised actuarial associations.
The NZSA currently holds mutual recognition agreements with the following actuarial associations:
- Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA)
- Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)
- Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)
- Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI)
- New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA)
- Society of Actuaries (SoA)
- Society of Actuaries in Ireland (SAI)
- Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA)
Associates of the above associations may be accepted as Associate members of the NZSA subject to satisfying the following conditions:
- the applicant must have qualified as an Associate by examination; and
- be a current financial Associate, of one of the above-mentioned bodies.
On successful completion of your technical exams and a professionalism course, you can apply for Associate membership. Please refer to the overseas actuarial body conducting the exams for exact requirements.
Associate membership allows you to call yourself an actuary in New Zealand. Associates can sit on and be a convenor for an NZSA committee, are eligible for NZSA Council and can vote in Council elections and at Annual General Meetings.
Associates must abide by the NZSA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary process, and comply with CPD requirements (PS10)
If you don’t know any Fellows, you can speak to an actuary in order to get an endorsement.
Becoming a Fellow member
Fellowship is our top designation, and allows you to undertake statutory roles, such as an Appointed Actuary role. If you are a New Zealand resident, a Fellowship designation gives you voting rights and the ability to stand for NZSA Council.
A Fellow of the NZSA (FNZSA) is a fully-qualified actuary. Fellows can sit on the NZSA committees, stand for Council and vote in Council elections and at Annual General Meetings. The FNZSA qualification is recognised in many countries and is held in high esteem throughout New Zealand and internationally.
To qualify as a Fellow, members need to have passed or been exempted from the examinations of a body which the NZSA holds mutual recognition, met the practical experience requirements and completed a recognised Professionalism Course. Fellowship applications are approved by Council.
Fellows must abide by the NZSA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary process, and comply with CPD requirements (PS10). You can apply for Fellow membership here.
Becoming an Affiliate member
Affiliate membership is for professionals who share an affinity with the actuarial profession, or who work alongside actuaries, and who want to be part of the actuarial community in New Zealand. It is also an option for any member who are no longer using technical actuarial skills.
It is a membership category for those not in paid work as an actuary or which relies upon their actuarial training and experience, or on their membership of the Society.
Affiliate Member benefits include:
- Member communications, thought leadership, publications and submissions as they happen
- Exclusive invitations to NZSA activities and events
- The latest technical and professional information and research
- Affiliates are able to sit on NZSA Committees
- An Affiliate Member, who is an ex Fellow or Associate may also be considered for a Committee convenor role if approved by Council.
You do not need to be working for an actuarial employer to become an Affiliate member of the Society, but your application does need to be endorsed by a Fellow, who attests that they consider you will represent the Society and actuarial profession in New Zealand positively.
Affiliates are not required to complete CPD (PS10) or be a member of an overseas body, however, they must abide by the NZSA Code of Conduct and Disciplinary process and declare a Non practicing status.
Affiliate membership is an option for Fellows who are overseas and have Non Practicing Status in New Zealand.
Affiliate membership applications are approved by Council. You can apply for Affiliate membership here
Summary of Membership Categories
| Fellow | Associate | Student | Affiliate | |
| Set out in Constitution | ||||
| Post nominal | FNZSA | ANZSA | – | – |
| Voting rights (must be resident in NZ) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Eligible for Council | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| CPD requirements in PS10 apply | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Must be member of an overseas body before joining NZSA | Yes | Yes | Yes* | No |
| Must be a continuing member of an overseas body** | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| By-laws of the Society | ||||
| Code of Conduct applies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disciplinary Procedure applies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Set out in Council and Committees Policy | ||||
| Eligible for Convenor | Yes | Yes | No | Yes*** |
| Eligible for Committee/Interest Group | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes*** |
| Set out in Membership Policy | ||||
| Eligible for Low Income Subscription | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Can apply for Non-Practicing Status**** | Yes | Yes | Yes | n/a |
*or enrolled in a university course on actuarial science.
**but may be at a lower level e.g. Affiliate.
***subject to Council approval.
****while NPS applies, members are not required to be a continuing member of an overseas body.