News and events

Hitting the right notes

A range of talented medics took to the stage at the NZ Artist Doctors Concert and Exhibition in June, and as the event’s longtime principal sponsor, MAS was proud to once again help doctors showcase their creative sides. The popular annual variety show took place at Christchurch’s Aurora Centre at Burnside High School and featured an art exhibition alongside a range of acts including a tap-dancing troupe, string quartet, jazz band and student skits.

One of the star performers was Burwood Hospital registrar and opera singer Frances Campbell, who belted out a 13-minute-long Russian aria for the awestruck crowd. “I think that was one of the hardest and most amazing things I’ve done,” she says. “The song was Tatiana’s Letter by Tchaikovsky, and there was a bit of creative Russian in my version, I’ll admit! But performing on stage with a full orchestra is a real treat, it’s part of what makes this event so special.”

MAS goes to the movies

When wintry weather bites, you can’t beat a cosy evening at the flicks! After a 5-year hiatus, we were delighted to bring back the MAS Movie Night. We partnered with Event Cinemas to book out movie theatres in 12 regions across the country in late June, offering Members and their whānau a MAS-exclusive viewing of Despicable Me 4. Organised with families in mind, the film was a hit with both the young and young at heart.

“We created a bit of fun with face painters and balloon artists, along with best costume prizes given away on the night,” says Suzanne Wolton, MAS Chief Executive Officer. “Our MAS Advisers welcomed Members at all cinemas, and the Movie Night provided an opportunity for MAS to engage with Members in a way that demonstrates our mission to grow life-long relationships and the difference of being part of a mutual.”

Clever composting

MAS has signed up with Kaicycle, a charity that makes sure food waste is effectively recycled rather than producing carbon emissions in landfill. As part of the scheme, Kaicycle collects food scraps from MAS’s head office in Wellington, takes it to a specialised plant and turns it into compost for use in gardens throughout the capital.

Over the past 12 months, Kaicycle estimates it has saved more than 40 tonnes of food scraps from landfill, and it has donated 18 cubic metres of living compost to community gardens, marae and schools. Ka pai, Kaicycle!

Supporting Mother Nature

Like you, we’ve always believed that what is better for the environment is better for all of us. Climate change has been front of mind for our insurance and investment businesses. Legislation and regulatory obligations related to climate change continue to evolve, and we now have new reporting obligations under the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards. This year, MAS will be one of 200 large financial institutions that will be required to publish our first climate-related disclosures for the MAS KiwiSaver Scheme, MAS Retirement Savings Scheme and MAS Investment Funds.

To make sure we’re on track, we’ve been measuring the operational carbon emissions of the MAS Group since 2022. We are externally audited by Toitū Envirocare, and we’re proud to be a Toitū net carbonzero certified organisation.

So far, we have fully offset our measured emissions with carbon credits purchased from solar energy projects.

MAS Member Connect a resounding success

Throughout May, MAS travelled the country for Member Connect functions in Christchurch, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Auckland. The functions were an opportunity for Members to meet our new Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Wolton, hear about new business initiatives, including our MAS Investment Funds, and mix and mingle over drinks and canapés.

Alongside a presentation from Suzanne, each hour-long session included talks from Helen McDowall, MAS Chief Investment Products Officer, Jules Riley, MAS Head of Growth (Investments), and our investment managers JBWere.

Events