About
Ella Somers
Latest articles
Fintech startup Emerge wants to 'fix' banking in New Zealand, starting with SMEs before launching into consumer banking
9th Apr 24, 10:40am
1
Fintech startup Emerge wants to 'fix' banking in New Zealand, starting with SMEs before launching into consumer banking
Could insurers afford a Canterbury-sized earthquake in Wellington? ICNZ’s departing CEO Tim Grafton says it raises ‘some questions’ around reinsurance affordability
5th Apr 24, 7:42am
40
Could insurers afford a Canterbury-sized earthquake in Wellington? ICNZ’s departing CEO Tim Grafton says it raises ‘some questions’ around reinsurance affordability
Suncorp offloads life insurance arm Asteron Life for NZ$410 million, sale to see Suncorp NZ focus exclusively on general insurance
4th Apr 24, 11:34am
Suncorp offloads life insurance arm Asteron Life for NZ$410 million, sale to see Suncorp NZ focus exclusively on general insurance
Mind the gap: New research identifies gender pay inequality as primary cause behind 36% difference in KiwiSaver contributions for men and women
3rd Apr 24, 5:30am
30
Mind the gap: New research identifies gender pay inequality as primary cause behind 36% difference in KiwiSaver contributions for men and women
Insurance premiums on the rise for NZ's biggest councils as range of risks put pressure on Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council’s insurance costs
1st Apr 24, 6:00am
1
Insurance premiums on the rise for NZ's biggest councils as range of risks put pressure on Auckland Council and Christchurch City Council’s insurance costs
Statistics NZ reveals disproportionate erosion risk across the country with new 2022 data around highly erodible land and long-term soil erosion
27th Mar 24, 4:05pm
1
Statistics NZ reveals disproportionate erosion risk across the country with new 2022 data around highly erodible land and long-term soil erosion
RBNZ releases finalised guidance for financial institutions on evaluating and mitigating climate-related risks, says they should understand the compounding effect climate-related risks may have on other business risks
27th Mar 24, 5:00am
5
RBNZ releases finalised guidance for financial institutions on evaluating and mitigating climate-related risks, says they should understand the compounding effect climate-related risks may have on other business risks
The Financial Markets Authority cautions two Southern Cross entities for neglecting to apply advertised discounts on insurance products, causing almost $600,000 in overcharged premiums
26th Mar 24, 11:44am
3
The Financial Markets Authority cautions two Southern Cross entities for neglecting to apply advertised discounts on insurance products, causing almost $600,000 in overcharged premiums
Our car insurance survey closes soon. Can you please help us by taking the survey, if you haven't already. That will give us a good basis to help readers understand a fast-rising household expense
25th Mar 24, 2:02pm
9
Our car insurance survey closes soon. Can you please help us by taking the survey, if you haven't already. That will give us a good basis to help readers understand a fast-rising household expense
Christchurch City Council says its insurance premiums are up 20%, or $6.4 million, in the 2024/2025 financial year which is pushing proposed rate hike higher
21st Mar 24, 2:08pm
24
Christchurch City Council says its insurance premiums are up 20%, or $6.4 million, in the 2024/2025 financial year which is pushing proposed rate hike higher
IAG New Zealand’s successful appeal overturns Tribunal’s push for expanded insurer responsibilities in home insurance claims, with Bell Gully highlighting the significance of the judgment
20th Mar 24, 5:00am
4
IAG New Zealand’s successful appeal overturns Tribunal’s push for expanded insurer responsibilities in home insurance claims, with Bell Gully highlighting the significance of the judgment
Aon New Zealand climate report highlights New Zealand among list of countries with some of the costliest weather-related insurance events on record
18th Mar 24, 1:30pm
9
Aon New Zealand climate report highlights New Zealand among list of countries with some of the costliest weather-related insurance events on record
[updated]
Insurance Council says the Fire and Emergency levy ‘attacks’ and loads costs onto insurance as FENZ levy hike looms while DIA says there are ‘no plans’ to move away from the levy
14th Mar 24, 1:25pm
39
Insurance Council says the Fire and Emergency levy ‘attacks’ and loads costs onto insurance as FENZ levy hike looms while DIA says there are ‘no plans’ to move away from the levy
The role of chief risk officers in the insurance sector is changing in the face of climate change as risk management and forecasting becomes even more vital for general insurers
12th Mar 24, 10:01am
The role of chief risk officers in the insurance sector is changing in the face of climate change as risk management and forecasting becomes even more vital for general insurers
New Zealand needs reinsurance. Does the reinsurance market need New Zealand?
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Andrew Bayly says making New Zealanders wealthier is a key step towards good insurance outcomes
7th Mar 24, 11:18am
46
Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Andrew Bayly says making New Zealanders wealthier is a key step towards good insurance outcomes
Financial advisory firm National Capital warns non-contributing KiwiSaver members risk $113 billion retirement shortfall
6th Mar 24, 5:00am
34
Financial advisory firm National Capital warns non-contributing KiwiSaver members risk $113 billion retirement shortfall
We're running an insurance survey to start revealing how premium costs are shifting by insurer, a crowd-sourced attempt to bring increased transparency to the insurance sector
1st Mar 24, 12:02pm
19
We're running an insurance survey to start revealing how premium costs are shifting by insurer, a crowd-sourced attempt to bring increased transparency to the insurance sector
Big law firms identify legal and regulatory obstacles detering KiwiSaver providers from investing in private assets
29th Feb 24, 5:00am
4
Big law firms identify legal and regulatory obstacles detering KiwiSaver providers from investing in private assets
Toka Tū Ake EQC’s chief financial officer says $225 million catastrophe bond is ‘complementary’ to traditional reinsurance methods
28th Feb 24, 7:42am
3
Toka Tū Ake EQC’s chief financial officer says $225 million catastrophe bond is ‘complementary’ to traditional reinsurance methods
Suncorp NZ’s CEO says central government needs to lead on climate adaptation because attempts made by private industry will be seen as ‘profit driven’
27th Feb 24, 9:05am
7
Suncorp NZ’s CEO says central government needs to lead on climate adaptation because attempts made by private industry will be seen as ‘profit driven’
Vero owner Suncorp New Zealand reports 20% gross written premium increase to $1.4 billion, CEO Jimmy Higgins is 'hopeful' customers won't see same level of premium increases in 2024
26th Feb 24, 1:13pm
1
Vero owner Suncorp New Zealand reports 20% gross written premium increase to $1.4 billion, CEO Jimmy Higgins is 'hopeful' customers won't see same level of premium increases in 2024
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission says for every $10 NZ spent on new infrastructure between 2013 and 2022, almost $6 of existing infrastructure has worn out
23rd Feb 24, 5:00am
20
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission says for every $10 NZ spent on new infrastructure between 2013 and 2022, almost $6 of existing infrastructure has worn out
Auckland International Airport’s half-year net profit soars to $118.7m while revenue doubles to $440.5m as the airport gains over nine million visitors in six months
22nd Feb 24, 10:19am
4
Auckland International Airport’s half-year net profit soars to $118.7m while revenue doubles to $440.5m as the airport gains over nine million visitors in six months
Tower CEO Blair Turnbull says the insurer wants to be competitive and affordable with its pricing – as gross written premium jumps 21% in four months
22nd Feb 24, 7:08am
4
Tower CEO Blair Turnbull says the insurer wants to be competitive and affordable with its pricing – as gross written premium jumps 21% in four months