Delta Insurance New Zealand recently hosted its Delta Talks 2025 conference, bringing together nearly 300 professionals to discuss the evolving insurance landscape. The event, held after a four-year hiatus, featured expert presentations on economics, law, technology, and insurance.
Key Trends and Challenges
Futurist Victoria Mulligan highlighted several macrotrends that could significantly impact consumer behavior and business models in New Zealand over the next decade. These include the growing reliance on personalized health technology, changing work-life structures, and the ethical implications of digitalization. According to Mulligan, “Advances in personalized health and wellbeing tech are creating new customer needs and complex ethical considerations, topped with changes in work-life patterns that are disrupting traditional insurance pathways.”
Economist Tony Alexander discussed global economic pressures, particularly the impact of geopolitical friction on trade dynamics. He noted that the tariff war initiated by former US President Trump has thrown the world trade and economic outlook into turmoil. “Businesses should exercise caution with regard to cash flow projections until we get far greater clarity on how the unwinding of parts of the global trading system will affect us,” Alexander advised.
Implications for Brokers and SMEs
Delta Insurance’s general manager, Dinesh Murali, emphasized the importance of adaptability in the face of rising complexity. He stated, “In an evolving world, curiosity and adaptability are powerful tools to keep up with changes. As an industry, it’s important we stay open to change, navigate complexity with confidence, and be prepared for what the future may bring.”
The conference also highlighted the challenges faced by small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand. Delta Insurance pointed to cost pressures, compliance complexity, and gaps in internal capacity as factors increasing business risk for SMEs. The insurer recommended that brokers guide their SME clients through comprehensive risk reviews and consider management liability coverage as a practical safeguard.
Conclusion
