About
Ella Somers
Latest articles
Job portal Seek says the number of job ads was down 0.4% in March across NZ, but a much steeper 27% since March 2023
22nd Apr 24, 4:41pm
37
Job portal Seek says the number of job ads was down 0.4% in March across NZ, but a much steeper 27% since March 2023
Health insurer UniMed gets approval needed from the RBNZ to take on the portfolio of insurance co-op Accuro which plans to dissolve following the transfer process
18th Apr 24, 2:18pm
1
Health insurer UniMed gets approval needed from the RBNZ to take on the portfolio of insurance co-op Accuro which plans to dissolve following the transfer process
There weren't too many surprises in the new inflation figures out of Statistics NZ, but there’s enough in the data to keep the RBNZ nervous
17th Apr 24, 4:01pm
17
There weren't too many surprises in the new inflation figures out of Statistics NZ, but there’s enough in the data to keep the RBNZ nervous
[updated]
March annual inflation comes in higher than RBNZ expected while rent prices climb to highest rate since at least 1999
17th Apr 24, 10:57am
141
March annual inflation comes in higher than RBNZ expected while rent prices climb to highest rate since at least 1999
Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says he wants to ‘level the playing field’ of the $25 billion grocery sector in a new letter to industry
16th Apr 24, 12:11pm
6
Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says he wants to ‘level the playing field’ of the $25 billion grocery sector in a new letter to industry
Ahead of April 17’s much anticipated release of the March quarter CPI, Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank cast their predictions with all three banks expecting annual inflation to be higher than the RBNZ has forecast
14th Apr 24, 8:07am
61
Ahead of April 17’s much anticipated release of the March quarter CPI, Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank cast their predictions with all three banks expecting annual inflation to be higher than the RBNZ has forecast
[updated]
Statistics NZ says food prices rose 0.7% in March year while tobacco prices jumped over 10% and international airfares fell 15.1%
12th Apr 24, 11:30am
35
Statistics NZ says food prices rose 0.7% in March year while tobacco prices jumped over 10% and international airfares fell 15.1%
UniMed CEO Louise Zacest says health insurers are struggling with ‘surging claims inflation’ as new data from Financial Services Council shows 37% of NZ's population now have health insurance cover
11th Apr 24, 7:36am
34
UniMed CEO Louise Zacest says health insurers are struggling with ‘surging claims inflation’ as new data from Financial Services Council shows 37% of NZ's population now have health insurance cover
Sharesies experiences its most substantial trading month to date with $488 million traded as investors shift their focus to the US market and tech stocks
9th Apr 24, 1:30pm
7
Sharesies experiences its most substantial trading month to date with $488 million traded as investors shift their focus to the US market and tech stocks
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