Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) chief executive Megan Main has confirmed she will not seek reappointment when her five-year term ends in late 2026, signalling an upcoming leadership change at New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme. Main, who began in the role in November 2021, has led ACC during a period of operational and financial change, including adjustments to regulations and client entitlements.
ACC board chair Jan Dawson said performance indicators had shifted during Main’s tenure and that the board would now move to appoint a successor. “Megan joined ACC at a time when performance had been declining for many years. Under Megan’s leadership, we are now seeing significant and sustained improvement in rehabilitation rates and financial performance. Megan will leave ACC with the right momentum in place to continue this positive trajectory,” Dawson said.
Main described her time at ACC as a privilege and emphasised the joint nature of the changes undertaken. “Serving as the ACC chief executive for the last four years has been a huge privilege. I’m proud of the performance improvements we’ve collectively achieved in this time, and I’m confident that we’ve got the right plan to set ACC up to deliver even better outcomes for New Zealanders into the future,” she said. Main also noted the contribution of staff, the board, and external stakeholders. “I am grateful to work alongside such dedicated people who care deeply about ACC’s purpose. ACC has been a big part of New Zealand for over 50 years, and I wish ACC every success for the next 50,” she said. The board is expected to conduct a formal recruitment process, with Main remaining in place to support the transition.
The leadership development follows ACC’s implementation of four sets of regulatory updates on Nov. 27, affecting occupational disease cover, dispute-related costs, hearing loss assessment, and client travel support. These sit alongside inflation-linked adjustments to a range of payments.
For insurance professionals, a key change is the update to Schedule 2 of the Accident Compensation Act, which lists occupational diseases that can be covered where there is a specified workplace exposure. The schedule had not been revised since 2008. Twelve additional conditions have been added to the schedule, intended to reflect shifts in work patterns and current evidence on occupational risks. The change is designed to align access to cover more closely with epidemiological data when determining whether a disease is work-related. The revision may influence long-tail claim profiles in some sectors and could be relevant to employers’ health and safety programmes, internal risk assessments, and the interface between ACC cover and employer-sponsored insurance or benefits.
ACC has also amended the Review Costs Regulations, which govern reimbursement of expenses for clients who challenge ACC decisions. The previous 14 cost categories have been consolidated into three, and reimbursement caps for items such as legal representation and medical evidence have been increased. These changes may affect the economics and frequency of disputes. Legal firms, advocates, and other representatives are likely to reassess file selection, fee structures, and advice to clients about the practicality of pursuing a review under the new settings.
Adjustments to hearing loss assessment and client travel support are intended to reflect current medical practice and cost structures. Claims teams and service providers will need to update internal procedures, guidance, and documentation to ensure compliance.
