INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION LEARNS FROM ING KIWISAVER EXPERIENCE



A high-powered international delegation visited Auckland today (28 January) to learn about the success of the country’s KiwiSaver scheme from ING New Zealand (INGNZ).

The South Korean fact finding team was organised by the Korean Life Insurance Association (KLIA), a non-profit organisation looking into developing Korea’s life insurance and retirement industry. It included representatives from Korea Life, AIA Korea, Samsung Life Insurance and Asian business media such as CBS and The Asia Economic Daily.

KLIA’s priority is to research market trends and global competitiveness in the retirement and life insurance industry by visiting countries it identifies as advanced in this area.

David Boyle, Head of KiwiSaver Distribution for INGNZ says: “South Korea is one of the world’s most rapidly ageing societies, with a projected continual rise in senior citizens. The delegation is here to learn how financial independence can be achieved for people in its own country.

“In particular they’re interested in KiwiSaver’s extraordinary and rapid success. Its success has already attracted a lot of interest from around the world, with enquiries coming from other parts of the Asia Pacific region, the USA and the UK.”

ING is a leading provider of KiwiSaver in New Zealand, with 290,000 members and more than $1 billion in investment funds under management.

“ING worked closely with government departments throughout the development and evolution of KiwiSaver and has a good understanding of how New Zealanders are saving. Since the introduction of KiwiSaver, New Zealanders have begun to change their attitude towards financial planning and where previously they were heavily weighted to borrowing and spending, the balance has now shifted towards recognition of the importance of saving,” Mr Boyle says.

“The principle of taking responsibility for your own future is clearly sound and KiwiSaver is an extremely effective long-term investment and should be the centre of every New Zealander’s financial independence strategy. However joining KiwiSaver is just the first step. It’s also important to keep assessing your savings programme in relation to your changing lifestyle and long-term financial goals. KiwiSaver can cater for almost any requirements a member has and it’s important to use that flexibility.”

The KLIA delegation also learned about ING’s insurance practices, particularly in connection with long-term financial security strategies.

Craig Wagstaff, Head of Strategic Alliances for INGNZ’s Life business says: “Insurance is equally important in creating financial security both now and for the future. Insurance needs can change with different life stages, having products that fit these different stages is essential. Products also change so New Zealander’s need to take a regular look at their insurance cover – not just the house and car but themselves and their families to ensure they are getting the appropriate cover and security.”

Both Boyle and Wagstaff strongly believe in the value of independent advice, which is readily available from professional financial advisers and agencies like the Retirement Commission and its ‘Sorted’ website (http://www.sorted.org.nz/).

Further Information

*According to the Korean National Statistical Office (NSO), in 2008 there were over 5 million people aged 65 or older which accounts for just over 10 percent of the nation's 48 million population. The country is predicted to become an aged society in 2018 with the ratio soaring to 14 percent. Furthermore, the NSO said the population of senior citizens is expected to reach 10 million, or 20 percent of the nation's total population by 2026.

SUN PROTECTION MADE EASIER FOR OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS WITH LAUNCH OF OASIS SUN SUNSCREEN AT NEW ZEALAND MACPAC STORES



Macpac, one of the world’s most trusted manufacturers of top quality outdoor equipment and clothing is making sun protection easier for its customers by stocking travel sized versions of Oasis Sun at all thirteen of its New Zealand stores.

The Oasis Sun SPF30 60ml travel size sunscreens are produced by Oasis Beauty, one of New Zealand’s up and coming health and beauty companies.

Stephanie Kimpton, one of the founders of Oasis Beauty, says: ‘We are very proud that an international brand such as Macpac has recognised the benefits of offering Oasis Sun to their customers.

‘We have been heavily involved in the outdoor community for some time now, with individuals such as world renowned mountaineer and guide Marty Schmidt using our products on his expeditions. We strongly advocate the use of sun protection when participating in any open air activity and are very glad that more providers of sports and outdoor gear like Macpac are also spreading this message.’

Oasis Sun contains certified organic jojoba oil, shea butter, non-GMO natural vitamin E and certified organic soya lecithin as natural UV blockers that also moisturise against wind, water and sunlight. The fact that it is pH balanced, uncoloured, and un-fragranced and paraben free means it can be used by very young children and individuals with sensitive skin.
More information on Oasis Beauty can be found at http://www.oasisbeauty.co.nz/, where both full size and travel size versions of Oasis Sun can also be purchased.
Further details on Macpac, including a list of New Zealand stores can be found at http://www.macpac.co.nz/

OASIS BEAUTY HITS THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NZ HERALD!


According to Oasis Beauty NZ, one of New Zealand’s up and coming health and beauty companies, car drivers who do not apply sunscreen before getting behind the wheel are in danger of developing wrinkles, melanomas, pigment changes and other conditions associated with sun damage. They are at particular risk of right sided damage over summer when UV levels in this country skyrocket.

The warning comes as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) reminded New Zealanders that UV radiation regularly reached extreme levels at this time of year.

‘People are generally very careful about slathering on the sun cream when they are at the beach but think nothing of driving for miles with the harsh New Zealand sun streaming in through the car windows,’ says Stephanie Kimpton, one of the founders of Oasis Beauty. ‘You are not protected when you are in your car. Even though most car windows will block sunburn-causing UVB rays, the glass will not protect you from UVA rays, which cause premature ageing and melanoma.’

‘All of the research[1] shows that the rate of cancers directly correlates to the areas of the body most often exposed to UV radiation while driving,’ adds Stephanie. ‘Many of these tumours are cancers that develop over time and are linked to cumulative sun exposure rather than intense, intermittent sun exposure.’

Stephanie urges drivers, especially those on the road around 1.30pm when UV radiation levels are at their highest, to drive with the windows up and to wear a sun block of at least SPF30.

‘Pay particular attention to your right arm which is most exposed to the sun through the car’s side window,’ advises Stephanie. ‘It is also a good idea to keep a small, travel sized sunscreen on you at all times so that you can reapply every couple of hours. Just remember not to leave sunscreen in your glove box on a hot day as excessive heat can cause it to deteriorate and it will stop being as effective.’

[1] ‘Association of Asymmetrical Skin Cancer Prevalence with Time Spent in an Automobile’ (Fosko, 2006-08) http://www.health.am/cr/more/driving-an-automobile-may-increase-skin-cancer-risk/

Check out the NZ Herald story here

Oasis Beauty has also been discussed in Viva recently. Follow this link to read one of the latest stories

TOWER INSURANCE SUPPORTS SMES THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESS MENTORS NEW ZEALAND


TOWER Insurance, one of the country’s leading providers of business cover, has teamed up with Business Mentors New Zealand, the charitable organisation which provides a national business mentoring service to support the development and growth of New Zealand’s small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

‘We are very excited about the opportunity to become a Business Mentors Partner,’ says TOWER Insurance CEO, James Douglas. ‘We understand the importance of nurturing New Zealand’s SMEs and hope that our support and business experience will help even more of them reach their goals.’

Ray Schofield, CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand, welcomes TOWER to the forward group of companies which support mentoring:

‘It is very encouraging that more prominent businesses such as TOWER are coming on board. Business Mentors New Zealand is a non-profit organisation, which is largely funded by patrons from the private sector. Without the backing of companies such as TOWER, we would not be able to keep providing our unique mentoring service to companies across New Zealand.

‘We are delighted to have established a relationship with TOWER and look forward to working with them.’
Business Mentors provides access to 1,600 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge), and the focus is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation. Since the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 50,000 small to medium businesses. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to businesses that have been operating for at least six months and is the owner’s main source of income.
For more information on Business Mentors New Zealand, visit http://www.businessmentors.org.nz/

NEW ZEALAND DRIVERS AT RISK OF SUN DAMAGE WARN SKIN CARE EXPERTS, OASIS BEAUTY


According to Oasis Beauty NZ, one of New Zealand’s up and coming health and beauty companies, car drivers who do not apply sunscreen before getting behind the wheel are in danger of developing wrinkles, melanomas, pigment changes and other conditions associated with sun damage. They are at particular risk of right sided damage over summer when UV levels in this country skyrocket.

The warning comes as the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) reminded New Zealanders that UV radiation regularly reached extreme levels at this time of year.

‘People are generally very careful about slathering on the sun cream when they are at the beach but think nothing of driving for miles with the harsh New Zealand sun streaming in through the car windows,’ says Stephanie Kimpton, one of the founders of Oasis Beauty. ‘You are not protected when you are in your car. Even though most car windows will block sunburn-causing UVB rays, the glass will not protect you from UVA rays, which cause premature ageing and melanoma.’

‘All of the research[1] shows that the rate of cancers directly correlates to the areas of the body most often exposed to UV radiation while driving,’ adds Stephanie. ‘Many of these tumours are cancers that develop over time and are linked to cumulative sun exposure rather than intense, intermittent sun exposure.’

Stephanie urges drivers, especially those on the road around 1.30pm when UV radiation levels are at their highest, to drive with the windows up and to wear a sun block of at least SPF30.
‘Pay particular attention to your right arm which is most exposed to the sun through the car’s side window,’ advises Stephanie. ‘It is also a good idea to keep a small, travel sized sunscreen on you at all times so that you can reapply every couple of hours. Just remember not to leave sunscreen in your glove box on a hot day as excessive heat can cause it to deteriorate and it will stop being as effective.’

[1] ‘Association of Asymmetrical Skin Cancer Prevalence with Time Spent in an Automobile’ (Fosko, 2006-08) http://www.health.am/cr/more/driving-an-automobile-may-increase-skin-cancer-risk/