TIME Insurance

A phone call. A fake website. A blacked-out screen. And your business bank account emptied. 😱

This is not hypothetical. This is happening to New Zealand businesses right now – and it's sophisticated enough to fool people who consider themselves tech-savvy.

Here's exactly how the scam works:
📞 You get a call from someone claiming to be ANZ, warning of a suspicious transaction on your account.
🖥️ They direct you to a fake ANZ "support" website with a live chat.
💻 The chat triggers a download of remote access software – TeamViewer or AnyDesk.
🔐 Once they're in, they talk you into providing ANZ authorisation codes.
⬛ They black out your screen while they transfer your funds offshore.

By the time the screen comes back – the money is gone.

Two NZI business customers have already fallen victim to this exact scam. Both in similar circumstances. Both resulting in significant claims.

What to do right now:
🚨 Never grant remote access to anyone who calls you unexpectedly.
🚨 If something feels off – hang up and call ANZ directly on their official number.
🚨 Think you've been scammed? Call NZ Police on 105 immediately.

And ask yourself – does your business have cyber insurance? Because when this happens, it happens fast and the losses are real.

📩 Message me and let's talk about whether your business is protected.

From 1 July 2026, the FENZ levy on your insurance policy is changing. Here's what it means in plain English. 🔥

The Fire and Emergency NZ levy is the charge built into most insurance policies that funds FENZ. It's been around for years – but it's getting a significant overhaul, and if you own property, a vehicle, a farm, or a boat, this affects you.

Here's what's changing:

🏠 Residential property
The levy drops slightly and is now capped at $107.40 per dwelling and $21.48 for contents. It's calculated on your sum insured – so the more your home is insured for, the more you pay up to that cap.

🏢 Non-residential property
Calculated at 0.0776% of your sum insured – with no cap. For commercial property owners, this one is worth paying attention to.

🚗 Motor vehicles
Simplified to a flat $25 per vehicle – private or commercial. Third party only policies are now included too.

🌾 Farms
Livestock, forestry and growing crops are now levied for the first time. If you're in the rural sector, your premiums are going up.

⛵ Boats
Good news – boats are no longer subject to the FENZ levy at all.

The bottom line? Most people will see small changes, but commercial property owners and farmers need to look closely at how this affects their total insurance cost.

📩 Not sure how these changes affect your specific policies? Message me and I'll walk you through it.

Big insurance news for rural New Zealand 🌿🚜

If you're a farmer, grower, or anyone else working the land, this one's for you.

NZI recently announced a new partnership with Ag Guard – a specialist rural underwriting agency – and it's a move that I think is genuinely good news for rural Kiwis.

Here's the thing: rural insurance is not the same as regular business insurance. A dairy farm, an orchard – these businesses have risks that are completely unique.

What's changing:
🌾 Specialist rural underwriters – people who actually understand agriculture, not just insurance.
🌾 Tailored products for both commercial and personal rural cover.
🌾 Better cover and benefits – not just the same thing with a new logo.
🌾 A full digital system – faster, smoother, less paperwork.
🌾 Local underwriters based in the regions they serve.

And importantly – NZI still handles all claims. So the trust and backing of one of NZ's most established insurers stays firmly in place.

With over 70,000 rural businesses and 350,000 Kiwis working in farming, forestry and horticulture, rural New Zealand is the backbone of this country. It deserves insurance that actually understands its world.

If you're on an existing NZI rural policy, you'll transition across to Ag Guard at your next renewal. And if you're looking for new rural cover – now is a great time to have a conversation.