News in brief

Motoring on with MAS in-house assessors

Members spoke and MAS heard the call. By popular demand, MAS now has a team of expert in-house motor assessors for our Members’ vehicle claims.

Having in-house expertise means Members have the convenience of an even smoother claims experience, with more support at each step. They also have the benefit of a dedicated team with in-depth industry knowledge and less time waiting on progress updates.

With a wealth of motor industry experience, MAS in-house assessors are in regular contact with a range of manufacturer repairers, so they’re up to date on which technicians have the best skills for your repairs and where to go for the shortest wait times. With increased visibility over the entire process, the MAS team can authorise motor repairs and make even quicker decisions on total losses, all with the usual exceptional service that makes MAS stand out from the rest. Overall, it’s about getting vehicle claims sorted faster with less fuss, and it’s just another way MAS is here to help.

Learn more about MAS Motor Vehicle Insurance on our website. To make a claim, follow the easy steps online or call the Claims team on 0800 800 627.

The power of poetry

When Loredana Podolska-Kint received a MAS Here for Good Scholarship in 2022, she was just at the beginning of her mission to create a poetry collection with a difference. Now, The Poetical Lobe, a poetrybook that captures the voices of Kiwis with neurological conditions, has recently been published. With a foreword by Sir Richard Faull, Director of the Centre for Brain Research, the book includes 80 poems from 55 different contributors.

“The poems are diverse, vibrant, and absolutely beautiful to read,” she says. “I wanted to create a space to share these stories, and to also raise awareness of neurological conditions and research.″ Loredana, an Auckland-based doctor who was inspired to make the book while working on neurological wards as a student, is donating 100% of book sales to the Centre for Brain Research. “This project means a lot to me, and I’m so grateful to MAS for their support. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

For more, see The Poetical Lobe Project on Facebook and book copies are available at Real NZ Books.

Focus on health screening

When it comes to taking care of our health, we know that early detection can be a lifesaver. That’s why MAS is once again running a mammogram reimbursement offer to Members who fit the criteria, and now, we’ve extended the offer to also include bowel screening.

Like before, the offer is designed for people who may not have access to these services through the public system due to age restrictions. Following last year’s successful trial, we’ve now added bowel screening for eligible Members aged from 45 to 59. This is ahead of the government’s National Bowel Screening Programme, which starts from age 60, alongside mammograms for eligible Members aged from 40 to 44. This fills the gap before BreastScreen Aotearoa testing kicks in from age 45.

The screening reimbursement offer will be rolled out over the next 3 years and is available for eligible Members who have had Recovery Cover and an Income Security Policy for at least 3 years. Alongside looking after Members, we’re looking after our people too, and the offer is also open to MAS staff.

To chat more about your insurance cover needs, contact your MAS Adviser or get in touch with the MAS team on 0800 800 627.

AGM sees Members cast their vote

For the first time in 5 years, the MAS Annual General Meeting was held in person at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland and online. At the meeting in late August, MAS asked Full Members to vote on a special resolution to change the MAS Board’s composition, to ensure it has the right balance of skills to take the mutual into the future.

Full Members cast their vote on 2 key changes to the Members’ Trust Deed: to introduce a new requirement for a minimum of 3 practitioner trustees and to remove the requirement for a majority of practitioner trustees. Both changes were approved, meaning the MAS Board now has more flexibility to identify candidates with a broader mix of skills and experience.

Alongside the vote, the AGM included presentations from MAS CEO Suzanne Wolton and special guest Dr Mahsa McCauley, who talked about the opportunities and challenges of AI. MAS Foundation Chair Dr Jenny Gill also gave an update on how the Foundation has committed more than $1.7 million in grants over the past financial year.

Māori health leaders shine at Te ORA Awards

MAS was proud to support Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa – Māori Medical Practitioners at this year’s Hui-ā-Tau and awards evening. Held in Rotorua at the end of September, the event attracted medical experts from throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and included a scientific conference, career expo and glitzy gala awards dinner. MAS ran a stall at the expo and sponsored 2 special awards:

• Te Ngakau Ora Award in memory of Dr Paratene Ngata, given in recognition of a high level of service, mentorship and support to Māori doctors and students.
• Iwi Health Award in memory of Dr Tony Ruakere, which acknowledges those who have gone above and beyond for their iwi and community.

Big congratulations to winners Dr Grace Malcolm (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa), who took home the Iwi Health Award, and Dr Sarah Sciascia (Ngāti Maniapoto), recognised for her leadership skills with the Te Ngakau Ora Award.

Supporting Members on their governance journey

The MAS Board has approved the launch of a new governance programme exclusively for MAS Members who are doctors, dentists and veterinarians.

The Future Practitioner Director Programme is intended to support the pipeline of new governance talent in those core health professions. This includes those that are eligible to apply for a future practitioner director position on the MAS Board.

Successful applicants will receive mentoring by MAS directors, have an opportunity to sit in on the MAS Board and receive funding towards governance education and training. Participants will also receive structured training on insurance, investments and regulation fundamentals.

MAS intends to hold funding rounds for this programme annually. The first round is in 2025 with entries opening 1 May 2025.

One of the key drivers for the programme is that it has become increasingly challenging for MAS to recruit practitioner directors to the Board who have the necessary skills and experience to govern an increasingly complex and highly regulated group of financial services businesses.

MAS appreciates that it can be challenging for busy health professionals to get the necessary skills and experience to transition into governance roles. Through the MAS Future Practitioner Director Programme, MAS hopes to contribute to lifting corporate governance education and skills across the medical, dental and veterinary professions.

For more information on the programme, including the application details, please visit the MAS Future Practitioner Director Programme webpage or email scholarships@mas.co.nz.

Happy Anniversary

Making a meaningful difference in the world is important to all of us at MAS. That’s why we formed MAS Foundation, and in just 5 short years, we’ve committed $7.2 million in grants to a diverse range of incredible organisations. From funding workshops for young parents to supporting research to prompt government-level change, we know we’re making a positive impact on a range of Kiwi communities.

We’re very proud of all we’ve achieved so far – and as MAS Members have long been the Foundation’s biggest supporters, you should be proud too.