The Financial Services Council (FSC) of New Zealand has celebrated the industry’s top achievers at its annual awards dinner last week. 

Not-for-profits were eligible to enter for the first time for the new Contribution to Community Award, and there were a total of seven categories. 

Suncorp-owned Asteron Life Claims Team earned a Highly Commended award in Team of the Year category and AIA took home the Excellence in Wellbeing & Inclusion and Excellence in Sustainability Practices trophies. 

Asteron Life says its claims team is made up of two specialist teams that manage and assist customers claiming on their life insurance. 

FSC CEO Richard Klipin says the awards this year received more entries and submissions than in previous years. 

“Each category had examples of outstanding work towards growing the financial confidence and wellbeing of New Zealanders,” he said. 

“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Their contributions to the financial services sector and wider New Zealand community have been recognised, and we are honoured to celebrate this achievement with them.” 

Here are the winners by category: 

Contribution to Community Award

• YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau (Winner) 
• Crayon (Highly Commended) 
• Mangere Budgeting Services (Highly Commended)  

Emerging Trailblazer Award 

• Angela Meyer, Mercer NZ (Winner) 

Excellence in Governance Award 

• Compliance Refinery (Winner)

Workplace Savings Award 

• Mike Woodbury, Chapman Tripp (Winner) 

Excellence in Sustainability Practices Award 

•     AIA New Zealand - ESG Strategy (Winner) 

Excellence in Wellbeing & Inclusion Award 

•     AIA New Zealand – Whai Ora (Winner) 

Team of the Year Award 

• Whai Rawa - Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Winner) 
• Claims Team – Asteron Life (Highly Commended) 
• The Table – Mercer New Zealand (Highly Commended) 

Chairman’s Award for Service to the Industry 

• Naomi Ballantyne, Partners Life (Winner)