Partners Life has been named Life Insurance Company of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards, capping off a strong year in which it paid out $325 million in claims and accepted 95% of assessed claims.
Judges praised Partners Life for its holistic approach to people development, customer outcomes focus and commitment to diversity and inclusion, including its GenderTick accreditation.
The judges also highlighted its Customer Outcome Matrix survey and Claims QA Success Program as setting benchmarks for empathetic and professional service.
Partners Life was among several major winners at the ceremony, where over 450 insurance professionals gathered at Cordis Auckland. Blanket Advice, Folio and Insurance Advisernet New Zealand also took top honours in their respective categories.
The awards, hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF), recognised excellence and innovation across broking, underwriting, claims, life insurance, insurtech and professional services.
Advisers and insurtechs recognised
In the broking sector, Blanket Advice won Small to Medium Broking Company of the Year for its innovation, client care and people-first culture.
Judges noted that Blanket had transformed a small team into a high-performing business within five years.
Insurance Advisernet New Zealand secured Broker Network of the Year for combining long-term stability with innovation. Judges noted the introduction of ARIA, a closed artificial intelligence platform designed for general insurance advisers, as a market-first tool enhancing efficiency and advice quality.
Insurtech start-up Folio won Insurtech Start-up of the Year. The SaaS platform was praised for its broker-centric design, which allows brokers to spend less time on administration and more time with clients.
Guest speaker Oscar Kightley, the acclaimed writer, actor and director, delivered the keynote address.
"Tonight's Awards recognise the leaders shaping the future of our industry with innovation, professionalism and purpose," said Katrina Shanks, CEO of ANZIIF.
"Your achievements deliver exceptional outcomes for customers and communities and raise the standard for all of us."
The awards were decided by an industry judging panel who scored submissions individually under the supervision of an independent scrutineer. All judges were bound by confidentiality agreements and required to recuse themselves from any submissions where conflicts of interest arose.
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