Financial Services Council of New Zealand

Office address: Level 17, Commercial Bay Tower 11-19 Customs Street West Auckland 1010
Website: www.fsc.org.nz
Year established: 1996
Company type: non-profit member organisation
Employees: 110+ members
Expertise: life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, income protection insurance, fund management, KiwiSaver schemes, workplace savings schemes, financial policy advocacy, industry research and education
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Kirk Hope (CEO), Aimie Hines (general manager advocacy), Beth Brady (business manager), Carissa Perano (head of regulatory affairs), Esther Zhuang (communications manager), George Gabriel (events project lead), Prathna Singh (business coordinator)
Financing status: N/A

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand (FSC) is a non-profit group with 117 member organisations as of 2024. Based in Auckland, it brings together industry leaders to support financial wellbeing and shape New Zealand’s financial sector. FSC is known for its collaborative work, special projects and nearly 30 years of helping members and the wider community.

History of Financial Services Council of New Zealand

The FSC of New Zealand has grown alongside the country’s changing financial sector since 1996. In 2018, it released research showing the sector’s growing impact, with $13.5 billion added to the economy. The next year, the FSC introduced its Code of Conduct. Members had already trained thousands of staff to meet these new standards.

Adapting through uncertainty

When COVID-19 and economic pressures hit in recent years, the Financial Services Council of New Zealand encouraged collaboration through new partnerships and mergers. These actions helped the sector stay steady and focus on supporting everyday New Zealanders.

Supporting women and shaping the future

In 2024, Women in Super NZ joined the FSC, forming the Empower Women community. This addition followed earlier campaigns aimed at financial wellbeing for Kiwi women. That same year, FSC members managed over $100 billion in funds and paid out $3.2 billion in claims.

The FSC’s 2025 conference in Auckland, themed ‘Transforming for Tomorrow’, brought leaders together to plan for the future. The event inspired new ideas and partnerships, all aimed at helping New Zealanders feel more secure and confident about their finances.

FSC’s services

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand brings together industry expertise, research and advocacy to drive positive outcomes for members and the public:

Policy and advocacy

• advocacy and policy: represents members to government, publishes policy documents, focuses on KiwiSaver and consumer protection
• industry initiatives: leads projects on financial literacy, consumer outcomes and sector sustainability

Standards and education

• industry best practice: develops codes of conduct, industry guides and delivers educational webinars
• research and education: commissions research, publishes Financial Resilience Index, shares sector data and climate scenario reports

Engagement and support

• events and networking: hosts annual conferences, seminars and webinars for professional development
• consumer campaigns: runs ‘Money Month’ and ‘Merry Money’ to improve financial literacy for Kiwis
• member support: provides resources, research and supports over 570 members in committees and working groups

Financial products and sector focus

• mortgage and retirement services: supports KiwiSaver, retirement savings and mortgage initiatives through policy and education

These services reflect the Financial Services Council of New Zealand’s focus on practical support, industry leadership and informed policy. Its ongoing research, such as the financial resilience index and quarterly data snapshots, helps guide the sector and shape future priorities.

Company culture and values

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand aims to shape policies that serve the country’s interests, guided by clear evidence and shared goals. Members are united by a commitment to strong values, including:

1. agility
2. collaboration
3. consumer focus
4. honesty and integrity

The FSC NZ’s strategic intent focuses on strong consumer outcomes, sector sustainability and building trust in the industry. Members benefit from influence, access and involvement in shaping the sector through several key opportunities:

• board and committee roles: nominate for the board, chair committees and help guide FSC strategy
• policy and advocacy access: attend government and regulator meetings, contribute to FSC submissions and engage with policy makers
• voting and influence: voting rights at general meetings and committee membership for regular and associate members
• industry data and updates: receive industry insights, regular updates and access to sector research
• event participation: enjoy event discounts, awards and opportunities for professional recognition
• fee principles: simple, fair and flexible fee structure based on size and role
• associate member benefits: all regular member benefits plus extra engagement and influence opportunities

These benefits give members a strong voice in policy and industry direction. Members of the Financial Services Council of New Zealand also gain valuable connections and insights to help shape the industry.

About CEO Kirk Hope and key people

Kirk Hope became CEO of the Financial Services Council of New Zealand in 2024 and leads the council’s work in financial wellbeing and policy. Before joining the FSC, he spent nine years as CEO of BusinessNZ. Hope has strong experience in banking regulation, public policy, media relations and communications.

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand’s leadership team brings a mix of advocacy, strategy and industry experience to their roles:

• Aimie Hines leads as general manager advocacy, focusing on government engagement and sector policy with over 10 years in public affairs
• Beth Brady manages business operations, supporting the council’s daily activities and internal processes
• Carissa Perano heads regulatory affairs, bringing legal expertise and experience as a barrister at Hibiscus Coast Legal Chambers
• Esther Zhuang manages communications and has been handling marketing, writing and social media since joining FSC in 2023
• George Gabriel leads events projects, passionate about ethical work that makes a real difference
• Prathna Singh coordinates business tasks, joined in 2021 after two years at Business Health Services

This leadership team helps drive the FSC’s vision for financial confidence and wellbeing in New Zealand. Their combined skills support strong outcomes for both members and the wider sector.

The future at Financial Services Council of New Zealand

The Financial Services Council of New Zealand provided new research on KiwiSaver reforms and called for a national strategy. This supports informed policy decisions and helps clients plan for retirement and homeownership. The FSC’s work aims to guide future sector development.

The council also organised the FSC Awards 2025 to recognise excellence and innovation across New Zealand’s financial sector. By celebrating achievements in areas like ESG, community impact and workplace wellbeing, the FSC highlights industry progress and encourages higher standards. This activity supports the council’s goal to strengthen the sector’s future and benefit both members and clients.