NZI moves into Auckland’s industrial engine room

NZI moves into Auckland’s industrial engine room

One of New Zealand’s largest and most well-known insurance brands, NZI, has opened a branch in Auckland’s industrial engine room in East Tamaki.

The official opening of the new NZI East Auckland branch on Highbrook Drive takes place today, Monday, 28 September with local MP Jami-Lee Ross attending.

“The combined greater East Tāmaki and Highbrook Business Park areas contribute greatly to New Zealand’s and Auckland’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs almost 5 per cent of Auckland’s workforce,” says Mr Ross.

“It’s appropriate that a company as prestigious as NZI sets up a branch in Botany, at Highbrook Business Park, one of the fastest growing business zones in Auckland.

Branch manager Andy Rowe said: “It simply made sense to open NZI’s doors in this area. Highbrook used to be all greenfields, but there’s been mass development and there are now industrial and business parks everywhere,” he says.

The statistics back up the talk that East Tamaki is the new manufacturing and distribution hub of Auckland.

Between 2000 and 2010 there was a 61 per cent increase in employee numbers in the East Tamaki Business Precinct, with 27,580 people employed across 2510 businesses in 2010 (East Tamaki Business Precinct Economic Analysis, June 2011). This contributed 4.5 per cent to the Auckland region’s employment.

The Greater East Tamaki Business Association states the area contributes $3 billion to the New Zealand economy each year, with job numbers projected to rise to 45,000 on completion of the Highbrook Business Park.

East Tamaki’s rapid growth is also the main driver behind the Howick Local Board now having the second highest number of businesses of Auckland Council’s 21 local board areas.

The new NZI branch has 19 employees, including two risk surveyors, and Rowe says they’ll be able to complete broker transactions more effectively.

“We wanted to enhance our current service offering with even more face-to-face contact. It will be great for brokers now that we’re right here on their doorstep to discuss key clients.

“I understand NZI is the only underwriter with a physical presence in the area and we think it’s vital to service the significant growth in East Auckland.”

PIC Insurance Brokers Managing Director Mike Garner welcomes NZI to East Tamaki. “I think it’s important for the area to be recognised in this way and I believe NZI will get better growth by having a presence here.

“From a broker perspective, we’ll be able to get in front of an underwriter and get their buy-in. We’ll have better negotiations and they’ll feel part of the community.”

NZI General Manager Commercial Sales John Chandler says one of the organisation’s strategic priorities is to strengthen the relationship with brokers.

“It’s all about working closely with our broker partners so that we deliver a quality service to our end customers.

“With NZI’s amalgamation with Lumley Insurance we’ve moved to a more integrated operating model. Now we have one account manager looking after both brands, and a team of people behind them.”

The new NZI East Auckland branch at 38 Highbrook Drive is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm and Rowe welcomes any brokers who wish to pop in.

ENDS

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