Nib New Zealand has confirmed the appointment of Andrew Blair (pictured) as a non-executive director, effective Aug. 25.
Blair will take over as chair from Hanne Janes on Nov. 1, following the group’s succession and board renewal program.
Blair has held senior leadership and governance positions across New Zealand’s health sector, including roles as chair of the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards, executive chair of Southern Cross CLT Hospital, and director of Waitaki District Healthcare Services.
He has also provided advisory services to Forte Health, BreastScreen Auckland, and St Marks Women’s Health.
David Gordon, chair of nib Holdings, said Blair’s appointment adds further governance depth.
“Andrew brings very deep commercial and governance experience to nib’s New Zealand board. He has been the chief executive of a listed company, worked closely with a wide range of public and private stakeholder groups, and has clear knowledge of public policy through his advocacy roles,” he said.
Janes, who joined the nib NZ board in 2016 and became chair in 2024, will remain in her role until the transition.
She noted the appointment continues the board’s focus on orderly succession.
“Andrew has extensive business experience and established stakeholder networks in New Zealand, crossing private and public sectors,” Janes said. “I look forward to working with him in the transition period.”
At the group level, nib Holdings posted a net profit after tax of A$198.6 million for the year to June 30, 2025 (H1 2025), a 9.4% increase on the previous year.
Revenue rose to A$3.6 billion, while underlying operating profit declined to A$239.2 million, compared with A$257.5 million a year earlier.
Claims expenses rose 10.2% to A$2.7 billion, reflecting inflationary pressures across the industry.
Offsetting this, investment income improved to A$79 million, while the group’s expense ratio eased to 17.7%.
A final dividend of 16 cents per share was declared, keeping the full-year payout unchanged at 29 cents.
In New Zealand, nib reported an underlying operating loss of A$2.9 million, compared with a profit of A$19.3 million the prior year. The business recorded a loss in the first half but returned to profitability in the second half. Revenue from local operations increased 8.1% to A$401.4 million.
nib NZ has also completed the merger of its two operating subsidiaries, nib nz limited and nib nz insurance limited, into a single company under the nib nz limited name.
It said the integration is intended to simplify engagement for members.
Existing policy terms and coverage are unchanged, although some members will notice a change in the insurer’s name on documentation and statements.
Those already insured under nib nz limited are unaffected.
