Using recent New Zealand data, including insights from Aon’s 2025 Global Medical Trend Rates Report and insurer claims experience, the presentation examines the key drivers behind rising healthcare costs. These include advances in medical technology, more diagnostic-led treatment pathways, higher specialist fees, and a surge in both the number and value of claims following COVID-19 disruptions.
Financial advisers will gain practical insight into how medical inflation is reshaping private health insurance sustainability, premium affordability, and long-term client planning, equipping them to have more informed, credible conversations with clients about healthcare risk and protection strategies.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this presentation, financial advisers will be able to:
- Define medical inflation and distinguish it from general inflation, including why healthcare costs consistently rise faster than other living expenses.
- Interpret the New Zealand medical inflation environment, including recent trend data and why the current gap between medical and general inflation matters for insurers and clients.
- Identify the key drivers behind rising claim volumes and costs, such as advances in diagnostics, medical technology, workforce pressures, and post-COVID healthcare demand.
- Apply this knowledge to client conversations, helping clients understand the long-term implications of medical inflation on health insurance premiums, coverage decisions, and financial planning.
Amanda Savill - National Manager Advisers, NIB
Amanda Savill is an accomplished senior leader with more than 25 years’ experience across the financial services and insurance sector. She currently leads the Adviser Distribution team at nib, including nib’s Adviser Partner Managers, with a focus on strengthening adviser relationships and delivering sustainable distribution outcomes.
Amanda brings deep executive and regulatory insight, having most recently worked within the office of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman. Her career also includes Chief Executive roles at PIC Insurance Group and Loan Market Group, along with more than a decade in senior leadership positions at ANZ.
Known for building engaged, high-performing teams, Amanda is recognised for her values-led approach to leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver results in complex and evolving environments. She is passionate about continuous improvement, strong culture, and supporting advisers to succeed in a changing financial services landscape.
Kevin Smee - Director & Financial Adviser, Solutions Financial Services
Kevin Smee is a senior financial adviser, business founder, and industry leader with more than 30 years’ experience across financial services and adviser development in New Zealand.
As Director of Solutions Financial Services, Kevin focuses on supporting professional growth, collaborative learning, and practice excellence. His work centres on helping advisers build sustainable, client-centric businesses through proven strategies, practical tools, and best-practice insights shaped by decades of frontline experience.
Kevin is widely respected for his leadership, deep technical expertise in insurance and risk solutions, and strong commitment to adviser autonomy and long-term client outcomes. Alongside his advisory work, he is a sought-after speaker and mentor, contributing insights on business growth, adviser engagement, and strategic practice development.
CPD: 1 hours
Member: Complimentary | Non-member: $50 (+GST)
A separate Zoom Registration Link will be emailed to registrants