NZ Society of Actuaries

NZSA | Mini Golf and Pizza Night
2024-06-27 16:45 - 19:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Holey Moley Auckland | Wellington | Christchurch
Join us for an evening of fun-filled activities as we tee off at Holey Moley, your ultimate mini-golf destination!

It is with great pleasure that we extend to you an invitation to our upcoming social event at Holey Moley in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch. This is one of a number of social and sessional events we have planned for members over coming months.
Join us for an evening of fun-filled activities as we tee off at Holey Moley, your ultimate mini-golf destination! Get ready to putt your way through 9 holes of exciting challenges, all while indulging in delicious pizza, snacks, and refreshing drinks. This promises to be an event to remember, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and friendly competition.
The ticket price is $25 per person, which gets you 9 holes of mini golf, pizza, snacks, and your first drink.
As an added bonus, there will be a surprise prize awaiting the winner at each location, so bring your A-game and your lucky golfing socks!
Beyond the games and gastronomic delights, this event presents an excellent opportunity for networking and forging new connections within the actuarial community. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out in your actuarial journey, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
To secure your spot at this unforgettable event, we would appreciate an RSVP as early as possible to confirm numbers at the venue. At the latest, please RSVP by 21 June 2024.
Date: Thursday 27th June 2024
Time: 4.45pm – 7.00pm
Auckland: Holey Moley, 204 Quay Street, Viaduct Auckland
Wellington: Holey Moley, 1 Willis Street, Wellington Central
Christchurch: Holey Moley, 617-619 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central
We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of golf, pizza, and good times!

APAC Ethics and Professionalism Seminar
2024-07-09 17:00 - 19:30
Join actuaries across the Asia-Pacific to tackle local and global issues around professionalism

The New Zealand Society of Actuaries is excited to support the hugely popular, Actuaries Institute Australia Asia-Pacific Ethics & Professionalism Seminar on Tuesday, 9 July! This virtual seminar connects actuaries and associations across the region and focuses on the urgent and emerging challenges surrounding ethics and professionalism.
Seminar topics:

Climate risk
Data science & the ethics of AI
Speaking up and upholding ethical standards (workshop)

Need more reasons to attend?

Gain professionalism training: the latest insights on ethics and professionalism relevant to your work.
Collaborate and connect: Join fellow actuaries from across the APAC region to forge new connections and strengthen existing ones.
Benchmark and share: Share ideas and explore different scenarios to stay at the forefront of industry practices.
Gain practical insights: Absorb actionable insights and strategies that you can apply directly at work to drive positive outcomes.
Engage in an interactive Q&A Session: The seminar will conclude with an interactive, virtual Q&A session where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and gain deeper understanding directly from our speakers.

Date and time: Tuesday, 9 July 5pm – 7.30pm NZST. Explore your timezone.
Pricing: Australian resident non-member: AUD$70. Non-Australian resident non-member: AUD$63.64.
Location: This is a virtual seminar.
Our speakers

Jonathon Ko, KPMG China
Ramona Meyricke, IMF Investors
Yan Sun, Resolution Life, Asia
Fei Huang, UNSW Business AI Lab
Stuart Turner, Zurich Australia
Saffron Sweeney, Aon
Sim Ng, Prudential Group

View the programme

NZSA Winter Dinner and 2024 Awards | Auckland
2024-07-22 16:30 - 21:00
Join us for our Annual Winter Dinners and 2024 Awards, coinciding with the Actuaries Institute President Tour. David Whittle, President of the Actuaries Institute and Elayne Grace, CEO will be presenting along with Scott Lewis, NZSA President and Helen Mexted, NZSA Chief Executive, followed by drinks and canapes, and the Winter Dinner and Awards. It promises to be an enriching evening where industry peers can reconnect, share insights, and strengthen professional bonds while celebrating our collective achievements.
Choose from four ticket options:
4:30pm-5:30 pm: NZSA and Actuaries Institute joint presentation at EY
5:30pm-6:30pm: Drinks and canapes at EY
6:30pm-9:00pm: Winter Dinner and Awards at The Parlour
6:30pm-9:00pm: Winter Dinner and Awards, partner ticket at The Parlour
Tickets for the dinner are $70 per person for all members and $85 per person for partners, and include welcome drinks and a two-course dinner. Additional beverages can be purchased separately at the venue.

NZSA Winter Dinner and 2024 Awards | Wellington
2024-07-23 16:30 - 21:00
Join us for our Annual Winter Dinners and 2024 Awards, coinciding with the Actuaries Institute Presidential Tour. David Whittle, President of the Actuaries Institute and Elayne Grace, CEO will be presenting along with Scott Lewis, NZSA President and Helen Mexted, NZSA Chief Executive, followed by drinks and canapes, and the Winter Dinner and Awards. It promises to be an enriching evening where industry peers can reconnect, share insights, and strengthen professional bonds while celebrating our collective achievements.
Choose from four ticket options:
4:30pm-5:30 pm: NZSA and Actuaries Institute joint presentation at PwC
5:30pm-6:30pm: Drinks and canapes at PwC
6:30pm-9:00pm: Winter Dinner and Awards at Shed 5
6:30pm-9:00pm: Winter Dinner and Awards, partner ticket at Shed 5
Tickets for the dinner are $70 per person for all members and $85 per person for partners, and include welcome drinks and a two-course dinner. Additional beverages can be purchased separately at the venue.

Personal Branding for Actuaries
2024-07-30 14:30 - 16:00
A special event offered by Actuaries Institute for NZSA members, presented by Julia Lessing

Whether you’re a young professional or a more experiences practitioner, standing out in today’s competitive landscape requires a strong personal brand. It shapes how others perceive your expertise and value – ultimately influencing career advancement.
Join our Personal Branding for Actuaries Insights Session led by Julia Lessing, from Guardian Actuarial to get a better understanding of:

What is meant by a personal brand
Why a personal brand is important
How to define your personal brand
Determine whether your actual personal brand is what you want it to be
How to build your personal brand

Julia Lessing is a qualified actuary, certified coach and the Director of Guardian Actuarial. She is leading a mission to foster forward-thinking leaders in the actuarial industry and runs the Guardian Actuarial Leadership Program to help actuaries to build their communication, management and leadership skills.

Register your virtual attendance below free of charge to NZSA members (thanks to Actuaries Institute).

Actuaries: Champions of Sustainability
2024-08-14 16:30 - 18:15 | Deloitte – Auckland and Wellington
Join us on 14th August to understand how you can incorporate sustainability principles into your actuarial work

In 2015, all member states of the United Nations adopted ‘The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. This includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets aimed at achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet. With just 6 years left on the timeline, much of the progress made over the years has been erased, slowed, or halted by COVID-19, global conflicts and the resulting high inflationary environment, as well as the growing impacts of climate change.
As part of a well-respected profession, actuaries are expected to act in the public’s best interest. In this context, it is vital that we play our part in this global partnership towards sustainability across developed and developing countries as well as public and private sectors.
Join us on 14th August to understand how you can incorporate sustainability principles into your actuarial work. For those online, we will commence at 4:45pm sharp.
Auckland: Deloitte, Level 23, 1 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
Wellington: Deloitte, Level 12, 20 Customhouse Quay, Wellington
Virtual: Members can also join virtually. Please select this option when registering.
Please RSVP by 7 August.

NZSA | Sessional Meeting Presentation. Webinar 1: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail
2024-10-02 18:15 - 19:30
We are delighted to announce a two part webinar series on climate change focussing on how actuaries can contribute. We’re fortunate to have the lead author of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ recent series of reports on climate change, Sandy Trust, join us for this insightful webinar series.
‘Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail’ is the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ third report in collaboration with climate scientists. It shows that climate risks are complex, interconnected, and could threaten the basis of our society and economy.
The report introduces the concept of Planetary Solvency to support long-term policy decisions. Just as financial solvency assessments assess the ability of a financial entity to pay claims, Planetary Solvency would combine nature, climate, and societal risk assessments to assess risks to the ecosystem services that underpin our society, both now and in the future.
Overview:

6:15 PM: Introduction to NZSA Climate Statement by the Sustainability Interest Group (15 mins)
6:30 PM: Presentation on “Climate Scorpion” and Its Implications
7:10 PM: Q&A Session
7:25 PM: Closing Remarks

NZSA | Future Pathways Auckland
2024-10-15 16:30 - 20:00
The NZSA Student Committee is excited to present Future Pathways 2024

The NZSA Student Committee is excited to present Future Pathways 2024 – an event where our students and young actuaries take the stage. Similar to previous years, we will have presentations showcasing the varied and interesting types of work that actuaries do. We are looking forward to another great turnout this year!
This event holds special significance for us as we remember and honour Joe Benbow, who was the initiator of Future Pathways. As we gather to celebrate the achievements and potential of our students, we do so with deep gratitude for Joe’s contributions.
Auckland session: Tuesday 15 October 2024 4.30pm- 8.00pm, PwC Level 27 15 Customs Street West Auckland CBD
Both sessions run from 5-7pm and will be followed by light drinks and nibbles.
If you have any questions, please contact Richard Zhou, Lucia Lu, or Shawn Sreedhar
Please RSVP by Friday 4 October 2024.
We hope to see you there!

NZSA | Future Pathways Wellington
2024-10-17 16:30 - 20:00
The NZSA Student Committee is excited to present Future Pathways 2024

The NZSA Student Committee is excited to present Future Pathways 2024 – an event where our students and young actuaries take the stage. Similar to previous years, we will have presentations showcasing the varied and interesting types of work that actuaries do. We are looking forward to another great turnout this year!
This event holds special significance for us as we remember and honour Joe Benbow, who was the initiator of Future Pathways. As we gather to celebrate the achievements and potential of our students, we do so with deep gratitude for Joe’s contributions.
Wellington session: Thursday 17 October 2024 4.30pm- 8.00pm, Chubb Life 100 Willis Street Wellington.
Both sessions run from 5-7pm and will be followed by light drinks and nibbles.
If you have any questions, please contact Richard Zhou, Lucia Lu, or Shawn Sreedhar
Please RSVP by Friday 4 October 2024.
We hope to see you there!

NZSA | Sessional Meeting Presentation. Webinar 2: The Emperor’s New Climate Scenarios
2024-11-06 08:30 - 09:30
We are delighted to announce a two part webinar series on climate change focussing on how actuaries can contribute. We’re fortunate to have the lead author of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ recent series of reports on climate change, Sandy Trust, join us for this insightful webinar series.
Date: 6 November
Time: 8.30 AM – 9:30 AM
Scenario modelling is an important component of the actuarial risk-management toolkit. In the context of climate change, scenario modelling enables financial institutions and regulators to investigate the impact of different climate futures, which is important given the challenges we face.
Sandy Trust, lead author of The Emperor’s New Climate Scenarios, will again join us to share the key findings of this paper and help us understand how a deeper understanding of climate change, including tipping points, can improve financial services climate- scenario modelling.
Overview:

8:30 AM: Presentation on “The Emperor’s New Climate Scenarios” and Its Implications
9:00 AM: Q&A Session
9:15 AM: Closing Remarks

NZSA Annual General Meeting
2024-11-24 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for the Annual General Meeting of the Society

Join us for the Annual General Meeting of the Society, which will be held on Sunday 24th November 2024, in person, at the Napier War Memorial Centre.
The meeting will start at 4.00pm.

NZSA Conference 2024
2024-11-24 17:00 - 2024-11-27 17:00 | Napier War Memorial Centre, 48 Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand
Register now to secure your spot – we can’t wait to welcome you!

The New Zealand Society of Actuaries conference will be hosted at the Napier War Memorial Centre from Sunday 24 – Wednesday 27 November 2024 and this year’s theme is Actuaries Uncorked: A vintage of diversity and sustainability.
Please visit the official conference website by clicking register here below, for more information.

NZSA | Christmas Lunches - Auckland and Wellington
2024-12-11 12:00 - 14:00
Join us for a festive celebration filled with great food and even better company!

🎄 You’re Invited to the Annual NZSA Christmas Lunch! 🎄
Join us for a festive celebration filled with great food and even better company! This is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with each other one last time before a well-earned break over the Christmas/New Year period.
Tickets are $45 per person and $20 per person for NZSA volunteers, which covers your 2-course (or equivalent) meal and first drink over lunch. Any other drinks can be paid for separately at the restaurant.
NZSA volunteers include anyone who has been part of an NZSA committee or otherwise volunteered for the NZSA during the past 12 months. Please ensure you select the correct ticket type when registering.
🗓 Date: Wednesday 11th December
🕛 Time: 12pm to 2pm
📍 Locations:
Auckland: Fantail & Turtle, Goodside, Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna (please let us know of any dietary requirements when registering)
Wellington: St Johns Bar & Eatery, 5 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Registrations will close on Wednesday 4th December, so please register early to ensure your place. We look forward to seeing you there!

NZSA | New RIIG report: Spending patterns through retirement
2025-02-12 17:00 - 18:00
Join report author Alison O’Connell and RIIG Convenor Ian Perera to explore the RIIG’s latest report

Join report author Alison O’Connell and RIIG Convenor Ian Perera to explore the RIIG’s latest report “Spending patterns through retirement: what they mean for retirement planning and drawdown“. This challenges the commonly used assumption that retirees keep spending at the same level in real terms throughout retirement.
Learn about new local evidence and international evidence that RIIG have brought together, and actuarial thinking and analysis which shows that spending tends to decrease in real terms (adjusted for inflation) throughout retirement which means that the amount needed to be saved for retirement could be less than commonly assumed.
Here more about RIIG’s two key recommendations for policymakers:

That industry and government should review and adjust their assumptions and tools to reflect the typical reduction in spending through retirement.
That in personal planning for later life, retirees should consider the impact of their own spending reducing in real terms.

Register now to secure your place. This is an important webinar for all of us and highlights some excellent actuarial work!

NZSA | Webinar 2024 conference series: Actuaries engagement with global climate organisations, 25 February
2025-02-25 17:00 - 18:00
Please join presenter Rade Musulin for a one-hour discussion of the International Actuarial Association’s work to engage with global climate organizations. Convenor and member of the Sustainability Interest Group Darren Fleming, will introduce Rade and facilitate a Q&A session at the end.

This presentation will review the recent formation of the IAA’s Climate and Sustainability Committee and its planned work with various supranational organizations like the IPCC, UNEP, UNDP, SIF, PSI, and PCAF (an acronym guide will be provided in the session). It will also cover COP29, which Rade attended as the representative of the global actuarial profession. It will address some key questions facing the actuarial profession on climate and sustainability:

What is the IAA’s vision for the new committee?
What was learned at COP29 and how can actuaries participate in mitigation and adaptation?
How will recent geopolitical developments, such as the recent US election, affect this?

About the webinar
Actuarial organizations around the world have been ramping up their capabilities in climate and sustainability. This reflects the growing opportunities for actuaries to work on a wide range of projects in this area. The IAA, as the global entity representing actuarial associations like the NZSA, has been building capabilities for many years in this space. Our speaker, Rade Musulin, has been involved in climate issues in the IAA for almost 15 years, and has been appointed Chair of the IAA’s new Climate and Sustainability Committee.
Rade will give the attendees an overview of the IAA’s recent work and plans for the next year.
The webinar will then focus on COP29. Rade represented the IAA at the three most recent COPs in Egypt, the UAE, and Azerbaijan. He will provide an overview of things relevant to actuaries at COP29.
The presentation will close with a few comments on the recent US elections. Rade spent over 25 years working in politics and public policy in both Washington and various US states. He has a strong understanding of the US political system and how things may change under the new Administration regarding climate policy.
More about our presenter
Rade Musulin is a Principal at Finity Consulting in Sydney, Australia, focusing on extreme events and climate risk. Previously he served as the Chief Executive Officer of FBAlliance Insurance, Chief Operating Officer of Aon Benfield Analytics Asia Pacific, and Vice President Operations, Public Affairs, and Reinsurance for the Florida Farm Bureau Insurance Companies.
Rade is Chair of the International Actuarial Association’s Climate and Sustainability Committee. He serves on the Actuaries Institute’s Climate and Sustainability Practice Committee and was Vice President – Casualty for the American Academy of Actuaries from 2016 – 2018. He was named as co-winner of the Actuaries Institute’s Actuary of the Year award in 2023. He has been an author on several peer reviewed academic papers and is a member of the Editorial Board for Oxford University’s Environmental Hazards Journal.
His main areas of interest include how changing population demographics affect catastrophe exposure, climate change adaptation, applications of catastrophe models for disaster planning in developing countries, building code development, and community resilience. He represented the International Actuarial Association at COP 27 in Egypt in 2022, COP 28 in Dubai in 2023, and COP 29 in Azerbaijan in 2024.

NZSA | Webinar 2024 conference series: Strong Towns, 12 March
2025-03-12 17:00 - 18:00
Please join presenter Adam Follington, for a one-hour deep dive into his popular 2024 conference presentation, Strong Towns, and conference Convenor and member of the Sustainability Interest Group Shami Shearer who will introduce Adam and facilitate a Q&A session at the end.

This presentation will introduce the philosophy of “Strong Towns”, an increasingly popular non-political movement, aimed at encouraging more sustainable urban development and answer some of the key questions facing our society today:

Why are our cities slowly going broke?
Why do we have a housing crisis?
Why are we so car-dependent?

About the webinar
Strong Towns argues that recent city growth has been a great “suburban experiment”, driven by the rise of the motorcar and exacerbated by perverse financial incentives and strict zoning laws. This had led us into a form of suburban development which is placing a tremendous strain on city finances, as they must maintain their ever increasing (and slowly deteriorating) infrastructure. Most councils are under severe financial pressure and contemplating large rate increases.
Some of the things we will cover in this presentation are:

How cities grew sustainably and sensibly for centuries
Why the motorcar and the rise of suburbs changed this and led to a great ”suburban experiment”
How this experiment is fuelled by perverse financial incentives – the “growth Ponzi scheme”
Why this is slowly sending our councils and cities broke
How it leads to multiple other issues including the housing crisis and congestion
Re-thinking the purpose of streets – from a transport medium to a tax-raising mechanism
The difference between streets and roads and the danger of ‘stroads’

These problems can be remedied however it requires new ways of thinking and challenging the existing perverse incentives and norms. It won’t be easy, and the solutions will be controversial.
It also suggests a very practical and pragmatic way to approach some of today’s major issues, which can often feel overwhelming and somewhat nebulous (e.g. climate change, intergenerational equity, housing, insurance climate risk mitigation). Strong Towns shows that these issues have partly arisen because we have simply ‘forgotten the basics’ and broken the financial links between a city’s costs and revenues.
At its heart, Strong Towns is also a belief in common-sense long-term financial management. For that reason, it lends itself well to actuarial analysis. We will explore how actuaries could play a useful role in this area.
More about our presenter
Adam Follington, who leads Quantium’s New Zealand operations, discovered his passion for Strong Towns principles while exploring his city by e-bike. His data-driven background as an actuary complements his advocacy for creating more resilient, financially sustainable communities. In addition to serving as Appointed Actuary to two New Zealand insurers, Adam brings both analytical expertise and practical experience to discussions about transforming our cities into more liveable, economically vibrant spaces.

NZSA | Actuarial Career Pathways
2025-03-18 18:00 - 20:00 | PwC Auckland, Chubb Wellington
The NZSA is excited to announce the return of our Career Pathways event.

Discover the Pathways to a Successful Actuarial Career
It’s been a while since our last one, and we’re thrilled to bring it back this year. This will provide aspiring actuaries with valuable insights into the various career opportunities within the actuarial field.
Event Details

Auckland Event 📅 Date: Tuesday, 18 March 📍 Venue: PwC 🕒 Time: 6pm
Wellington Event 📅 Postponed – new date coming soon.

Highlights

Hear from experienced actuaries about their career paths.
Engage in an interactive Q&A session.
Network with fellow aspiring actuaries.

Register now to secure your spot.
We look forward to seeing you there!

NZSA | Member Sessional Auckland (incl virtual option)
2025-04-08 17:00 - 19:00
The NZSA Council would like to invite you to our first member sessional for the year

The sessional’s will be a presentation on our 2025 strategy and ongoing strategic initiatives to lead our profession.
This will include:

Council update on our strategy and strategic priorities for 2025
Topline results from our member survey
Financial update and refocus post AGM held in November 2024
What you can expect to see over the year
Discussion and Q&A
Drinks and networking

We’re also keen to hear what discussion items you’d like us to cover – please send topics to society@actuaries.org.nz by 21 March.
Location: KPMG, Boardroom 1 and 3, 18 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland.
Please register below and we look forward to seeing you there! It is critically important for Council members to hear and discuss all the different perspectives and include these views as we continue to modernise our society together and make financial sense of the future in New Zealand.

NZSA | Member Sessional Wellington
2025-04-09 17:00 - 19:00
The NZSA Council would like to invite you to our first member sessional for the year

The sessional’s will be a presentation on our 2025 strategy and ongoing strategic initiatives to lead our profession.
This will include:

Council update on our strategy and strategic priorities for 2025
Topline results from our member survey
Financial update and refocus post AGM held in November 2024
What you can expect to see over the year
Discussion and Q&A
Drinks and networking

We’re also keen to hear what discussion items you’d like us to cover – please send topics to society@actuaries.org.nz by 21 March.
Location: PwC, The Sandbox – Level 2, PwC Centre, 10 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington. Guests to come to level 4 reception, before being led down to level 2.
Please register below and we look forward to seeing you there! It is critically important for Council members to hear and discuss all the different perspectives and include these views as we continue to modernise our society together and make financial sense of the future in New Zealand.

NZSA | Applying the new interim solvency standard
2025-05-07 11:00 - 12:00
We would like to invite members to an interactive session to discuss experiences with preparing the solvency return under ISS2 for the first time.

Following the recent introduction of the new 2nd amendment to the interim solvency standard we would like to invite members to an interactive session to discuss experiences with preparing the solvency return under ISS2 for the first time.
Members currently preparing returns will discuss how they are applying the standard across Life/Health and GI. We will then open for questions and discussion.
What: Interactive working session
When: 11am (NZT), Wednesday 7 May
This will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule*
We look forward to seeing you there.
*Under the Chatham House Rule, anyone who comes to a meeting is free to use information from the discussion, but is not allowed to reveal who made any particular comment. It is designed to increase openness of discussion.

NZSA | Professional Skills Training event - Wellington
2025-05-20 17:00 - 18:00 | ACC, Justice Centre, 19 Aitken Street, Wellington, New Zealand
We are delighted to invite all members to our first NZSA professionalism skills training events for 2025

These in-person workshops are brought to you by two experienced actuaries and will help you to meet the professionalism components of your CPD. Dayle and Richard will use IFoA training materials and cover the professionalism requirements you need to meet under the NZSA Code of Conduct.
🗓 Date: Tuesday 20 May
🕛 Time: 5.00pm – 6.00pm
📍 Location: ACC Justice Centre, 19 Aitken Street, Wellington.
About the facilitator:
Richard Korte is an IFoA qualified actuary. He has spent his career working for life insurers, health insurers, social insurers and consulting in both NZ and UK. He is currently at ACC doing his best to ensure the scheme remains financially sustainable for future generations.
We look forward to seeing you there!

NZSA | Professional Skills Training event - Auckland
2025-05-21 17:00 - 18:00 | AIA House, Smales Farm, 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand
We are delighted to invite all members to our first NZSA professionalism skills training events for 2025

These in-person workshops are brought to you by two experienced actuaries and will help you to meet the professionalism components of your CPD. Dayle and Richard will use IFoA training materials and cover the professionalism requirements you need to meet under the NZSA Code of Conduct.
🗓 Date: Tuesday 21 May
🕛 Time: 5.00pm – 6.00pm
📍 Location: AIA House, Smales Farm, 74 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland
About the facilitator:
Dayle Noonan is an IFoA qualified actuary . He has spent most of his career in the UK working for life insurers and reinsurers. Now back in NZ, he is currently at AIA working in the Capital team.
We look forward to seeing you there!

NZSA | AA Forum event
2025-06-25 08:30 - 16:30 | Mövenpick Hotel Auckland, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Registrations close on Tuesday 17 June.

The event is aimed at AAs and their delegates however is open to all NZSA members, including those who work closely with AAs, aspiring AAs, and those who want to be informed about the issues and challenges facing licensed New Zealand insurance companies. The forum is also open to government agencies, regulators, and directors and executives working in the insurance industry, and industry bodies.
When: Wednesday 25 June, 8.30am to 4.30pm, with networking drinks to finish
Where: Movenpick Hotel, 8 Customs Street East, Auckland CBD
Who: AAs and delegates, NZSA members, government agencies, regulators, directors and executives of licensed NZ insurers, industry bodies
Registration includes all forum sessions, coffee on arrival, full day catering, and networking drinks and canapés.
Featuring the day’s programme
We’ve pulled together a compelling range of senior government, regulatory, industry and Appointed Actuary presenters. In addition, we have breakout time for General, and Health and Life Appointed Actuaries, concluding in a panel discussion where common and unique issues and solutions will be canvassed.

9.00am-9.15am
Welcome, purpose of the Forum and this session, introduction to programme and speakers Lee-Ann du Toit, NZSA President and Chief Actuary of Chubb Life
The President will open the forum by introducing the programme and reflecting on the critical importance of the Appointed Actuary role, weaving in her own recent experience as the newly appointed AA at Chubb Life to illustrate the evolving challenges and responsibilities of the position.

9.15am-9.30am

Perspective on trends, risks, and priorities across the financial and insurance sectors Scott McKinnon, Director of Specialist Supervision, RBNZ
Scott will share his observations on the insurance sector’s current landscape, outlining the Reserve Bank’s supervisory approach and clarifying the complementary roles of Appointed Actuaries and Boards in maintaining robust governance and financial stability.

9.30am-10.00am
Enterprise Risk Management Insights. Heting Yang, Member NZSA’s ERM Committee.
Heting will present findings from the Society’s 2025 Enterprise Risk Management survey, highlighting the current and emerging critical risks identified by actuaries and chief risk officers across various sectors and discussing their implications for strategic risk management and future risk management practices.

10.00am-11.00am
FMA Update. Jane Brown, Head of Insurance, Davide Ambrosio and Sadia Ubed, Senior Advisers Insurance, and Nicolette Woolford, Senior Adviser Climate Related Disclosures, will provide an update on Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI), its planned Weather Events report, the Contracts of Insurance Act and Climate Related Disclosures.

11.00am
Morning tea break

11.20am- 12.00pm
Director’s and Officers’ Session. Governance perspectives on industry challenges, risk management and increasing influence in the boardroom David Flacks, Suncorp New Zealand, David Whyte, Provident Insurance and Angela Dixon.
This panel discussion will feature experienced insurance company directors, including the Chairs of Suncorp New Zealand, David Flacks and Provident Insurance David Whyte, who will share their perspectives on current industry risks, governance responses, and how they leverage Appointed Actuaries in navigating these challenges effectively. They’ll also provide views on how actuaries can increase their influence in the boardroom.

12.00pm-12.30pm
Panel Discussion – regulators and industry leads; topics of strategic importance Facilitated by Greg Bird
The session will feature a panel of senior industry and regulatory leaders who will identify and discuss the sector’s most pressing challenges. This will be followed by focused presentations where the leaders will outline strategic priorities and specific response initiatives to address these critical issues.

12.30pm-1.30pm
FMA CEO overview Samantha Barrass Chief Executive, FMA
Samantha Barrass, Chief Executive will provide an update on the FMA’s priorities for the year ahead

1.30pm-2.30pm
Lunch

2.30pm-3.00pm
ICNZ Update Industry developments and challenges, strategic priorities, policy and advocacy update Kris Faafoi Chief Executive ICNZ
Kris will outline the ICNZ strategic priorities for strengthening sector resilience and sustainability and provide insights into the ICNZ’s current policy and advocacy initiatives.

3.00pm-3.30pm
FSC update Industry developments and challenges, strategic priorities, policy and advocacy update Kirk Hope Chief Executive FSC
Kirk will discuss how the FSC is responding to some of the strategic challenges faced by the Life and Health insurance sectors

3.30pm-4.20pm
Breakout session on Appointed Actuary and industry topics
To conclude the forum, interactive breakout sessions will allow participants to delve deeper into key themes through sector-specific discussions (Life, General Insurance, Health, and Industry/Regulatory perspectives) under Chatham House rules, fostering candid exchange of ideas before reconvening to share collective insights and actionable takeaways with the wider audience.

4.20pm-4.30pm
Closing comments and key takeaways

4.30pm-5.30pm
Networking drinks and canapés

Thank you to our supporters
Morning and Afternoon Tea Partner

NZSA | Exam celebration drinks!
2025-07-08
Join the NZSA Student Committee for a relaxed evening of drinks and good company as we celebrate (or commiserate) the April exam results! Whether you’re toasting success or just glad it’s over, come connect with fellow students and unwind.
These events will be held on 8 July for both Auckland and Wellington.
Auckland
8 July 2025 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Venue: Mr Murdoch’s – Level 1/16 Fort Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Wellington
8 July 2025 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Huxleys – 34 Bowen Street, Pipitea, Wellington.
Please RSVP to confirm your attendance and select the correct ticket for your location.

RIIG Webinar on the new Navigator tool
2025-07-17 17:00 - 18:00
Join Alison O’Connell and Ian Perera of the Retirement Income Interest Group (RIIG) and Jason Gambitsis, Digital Platforms Lead and Tom Hartmann, Personal Finance Lead of Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission (TAAO) to discuss the RIIG/TAAO partnership to develop the new Sorted Retirement Navigator tool. Learn about the latest step on RIIG’s journey to develop a retirement drawdown framework to help New Zealanders planning or already in the decumulation phase. After first publishing drawdown Rules of Thumb in 2017, and a framework for successful drawdown policy in 2021, then looking at KiwiSaver balances in 2022 and updating the Rules of Thumb in 2023, RIIG were thrilled that TAAO set about bringing their work to life in a new tool on the Sorted website. At the webinar you will be able to:Hear more about the challenges and learnings from developing actuarial theory into a practical tool for all New Zealanders.See how the tool works, and feedback ideas for further development. Webinar date: 17 July 2025Time: 5-6pm Register now to secure your place at this webinar. This is an exciting new showcasing of actuarial work in the wider world, and there is a lot to learn from this example!

NZSA | Presidential Sessional, Winter Dinner and Awards - Auckland
2025-07-28 16:30 - 21:00
We’re thrilled to welcome Win-Li Toh, President of the Actuaries Institute and Elayne Grace, CEO Actuaries Institute, joining us alongside NZSA President Lee-Ann du Toit and NZSA Chief Executive Helen Mexted. Together, we’ll share insights into key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the actuarial profession.
The format of the event:

4.30-5.30pm: Joint presentations by NZSA and the Actuaries Institute
5.30-6.30pm: Drinks and canapés
6.40-8.45pm: Winter Dinner and Awards (Café Hanoi, Ackd)

Members can register for one, two or all three parts of the evening – please choose the appropriate ticket type and location.

Dinner tickets are $70 for members, including welcome drinks and a two-course meal. Additional beverages can be purchased at the venue. Partners are warmly invited to join us for dinner, and partner tickets are $85.
This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from leaders of the New Zealand and Australian actuarial communities, celebrate members’ outstanding contributions, and reconnect with your peers.
We’re delighted to partner with the Actuaries Institute, and we look forward to an evening that’s both informative and enjoyable.
We look forward to welcoming you!

NZSA | Presidential Sessional, Winter Dinner and Awards - Wellington
2025-07-29 16:30 - 21:00
We’re thrilled to welcome Win-Li Toh, President of the Actuaries Institute and Elayne Grace, CEO Actuaries Institute, joining us alongside NZSA President Lee-Ann du Toit and NZSA Chief Executive Helen Mexted. Together, we’ll share insights into key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the actuarial profession.The format of the event:

4.30-5.30pm: Joint presentations by NZSA and the Actuaries Institute
5.30-6.30pm: Drinks and canapés
6.40-8.45pm: Winter Dinner and Awards (Apache, Wgtn)

Members can register for one, two or all three parts of the evening – please choose the appropriate ticket type and location.

Dinner tickets are $70 for members, including welcome drinks and a two-course meal. Additional beverages can be purchased at the venue. Partners are warmly invited to join us for dinner, and partner tickets are $85.This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from leaders of the New Zealand and Australian actuarial communities, celebrate members’ outstanding contributions, and reconnect with your peers.
We’re delighted to partner with the Actuaries Institute, and we look forward to an evening that’s both informative and enjoyable.
We look forward to welcoming you!

NZSA - Actuarial Career Path Ways
2025-08-13 16:45 - 19:00
Discover the Pathways to a Successful Actuarial Career!The NZSA is excited to announce the return of our Career Pathways event for Wellington! It’s been a while since our last one, and we’re thrilled to bring it back this year. This will provide aspiring actuaries with valuable insights into the various career opportunities within the actuarial field.Event Details:Date: Tuesday, 13 August 2025Venue: Chubb Life office, Floor 22, 100 Willis Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011 Time: 4.45-7pmDrinks and nibbles will be served after the speakers’ presentation and Q&A sessionWe have three exciting presentations from our speakers, who include: Richard KorteManager Actuarial Monitoring & Insight | ACC Richard has been the Manager of ACC’s Actuarial Monitoring & Insights team for over seven years. The team produces the annual financial condition report, monitors claim performance and the impact this has on the Outstanding Claims Liability, reviews injury prevention programme performance and collaborates across the organisation on rehabilitation initiatives. During his time at ACC he has also provided advice on the design and implementation on what was the New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme initiative. Prior to joining ACC Richard has worked in consulting, life and health insurance in both New Zealand and the UK. He is a strong advocate that the story behind the numbers is clearly communicated and understood in order to make better business decisions. Richard is a Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries and the UK Institute of Actuaries. In his spare time he enjoys spending time on mountain bike and ski trails knowing all injuries will be covered by the ‘no fault’ ACC scheme. Marinda DeanActuary | Pricing and Experience Investigations | Chubb Life NZ Marinda Dean is an “outlier” actuary with an unconventional career journey. A graduate of the University of Pretoria, South Africa, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Actuarial Science, Marinda began her actuarial career at SANLAM in Cape Town. She later moved to the UK, where she worked for Abbey Life (part of the Lloyds TSB Group) and qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries during this time. Her professional experience spans pricing, marketing, project management, and corporate development within the life insurance sector. After a significant detour into “wider fields,” Marinda has recently returned to an actuarial role with the pricing team at Chubb Life NZ. Marinda is an active member of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA) and has contributed to various volunteer committees, including the Blenheim Conference Committee and the Natural Hazards Committee. She is currently part of a working group supporting the External Reporting Board (XRB) in developing guidance for quantifying climate-related risks and opportunities for climate-related disclosures. Passionate about understanding climate change, Marinda is particularly interested in how actuarial skills can be applied to help society manage risks and develop adaptation strategies. She is also focused on how climate change impacts the provision and pricing of insurance. To deepen her expertise, she recently completed the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ Climate Risks and Sustainability course. Daniel StonerPrincipal | Taylor Fry Dan has more than 20 years’ actuarial experience in the government social sector, banking and superannuation. He began his career at Mercer in the UK before migrating to NZ and has since worked for Westpac, the Ministry of Social Development and Taylor Fry. When he is not working, Dan is either spending time with his family or out running or cycling under the illusion that he can go as fast as he could 20 years ago! Register by 11 August 2025 We look forward to seeing you there! NZSA Student Committee

Mini-golf and pizza night
2025-08-28 16:45 - 19:00
We are delighted to invite you to our annual mini-golf event in Wellington and Auckland. Join us for a night of fun and friendly competition as we tee off at Holey Moley, the ultimate mini-golf destination! This event is subsidised by the NZSA, reducing the ticket price to $35 per person, which includes:– 9 holes of mini-golf– A selection of pizza, snacks, and your first drink– A chance to win spot prizes at each locationWhether you’re a mini-golf pro or a first-timer, this event promises to be an evening filled with laughter and camaraderie. Beyond the games and good food, this is a fantastic opportunity to network and strengthen connections within the actuarial community. Whether you’re just starting your career or are a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Event DetailsDate: Thursday 28 August 2025Time: 4.45pm – 7.00pmLocations:Auckland: Holey Moley, 204 Quay Street, Viaduct, AucklandWellington: Holey Moley, 1 Willis Street, Wellington CentralTo secure your spot, please RSVP as soon as possible. The final deadline to RSVP is Wednesday 20 August 2025. We look forward to seeing you there! Ngā mihiNZSA Events Committee

Climate Change Impacts on New Zealand’s Hydrological Regimes
2025-09-30 17:00 - 18:00
Join our Sustainability Interest Group for a session exploring the impacts of climate change on New Zealand’s water systems. With water resources being vital to human survival, even short-term disruptions can have serious consequences.In this session, we’ll present an overview of the assumptions, methods, limitations, and regional-scale findings from a national assessment of climate change impacts on hydrological regimes in New Zealand. This work integrates the IPCC 5th climate projection ensemble for New Zealand with a pre-parameterised hydrological model to assess future water scenarios.Highlights include:– Case studies with some of the challenges associated with the use and interpretation of the datasets to inform water resource and hydrological extreme investigations– Insights into water resource planning and hydrological extremes– A review on expected differences associated with the use of IPCC 6th Assessment results.📅 Date: Tuesday 30 September🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM📍 Location: OnlineDon’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insight into the future of water in New Zealand under a changing climate.About our SpeakerDr Christian Zammit is a hydrologist with a MSc in small scale hydrology and PhD in Soil Physics (University Joseph Fourier- France). He works for NIWA, and his research interests include developing improved methods for making hydrological predictions in ungauged catchments, understanding the spatial variability in hydrological response through measurement, conceptualisation and modelling of surface water and groundwater flow across landscape and temporal scales, and uncertainty quantification in water resource and weather-related hazard management.
