Ella Somers

KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawals hit an all-time high of $29.3 million in March, while first home withdrawals jumped to $143.7 million

KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawals hit an all-time high of $29.3 million in March, while first home withdrawals jumped to $143.7 million

The RBNZ says dwelling insurance ‘is becoming more risk-based’ and owners of higher-risk properties may find insurance increasingly unaffordable

The RBNZ says dwelling insurance ‘is becoming more risk-based’ and owners of higher-risk properties may find insurance increasingly unaffordable

Bank economists anticipate the unemployment rate will edge up when Statistics NZ releases March quarter labour market data

Bank economists anticipate the unemployment rate will edge up when Statistics NZ releases March quarter labour market data

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

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

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

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

March annual inflation comes in higher than RBNZ expected while rent prices climb to highest rate since at least 1999

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

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

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

Statistics NZ says food prices rose 0.7% in March year while tobacco prices jumped over 10% and international airfares fell 15.1%

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aon New Zealand climate report highlights New Zealand among list of countries with some of the costliest weather-related insurance events on record

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

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