Fidelity Life is revising the structure of its Adviser council for the 2026–27 term, adding new roles and adjusting membership settings that it says will increase input from advisers and industry stakeholders across New Zealand. Applications for the next intake close on Feb. 27. The council, established in 2022, operates as a forum where advisers provide feedback on products, services, and strategy, and as a channel for broader market and customer insights into the business. According to the insurer, the updated model is intended to keep the council’s work aligned with changes in customer expectations, technology, regulation, and market conditions.
Chief commercial officer Bronwyn Kirwan (pictured) said the changes are being made on top of the structure developed since the council’s launch. “The Adviser council has consistently delivered independent perspectives, early insights, and meaningful challenge. They have played a pivotal role in shaping our products, propositions, service, and engagement – and in supporting the turnaround across our distribution channels. We are immensely proud of the calibre of its members and the contributions they have made,” Kirwan said. Under the revised approach, new members will serve two-year terms and will sit alongside existing council members:
Fidelity Life expects to confirm the full 2026–27 council line-up in the coming months.
One of the main structural changes is a membership mix that combines adviser representatives with two seats for industry representatives. Fidelity Life says this is intended to widen the range of perspectives across advice business models, regions, and communities, and to formalise links between the council and the wider financial services sector. For the next term, the insurer is seeking three new adviser members whose practices and experience align with three specified areas:
The role focused on digital, technology, and productivity is aimed at advisers who run practices that make extensive use of digital tools and operating model changes. Expected contributions include feedback on Fidelity Life’s technology roadmap, identification of productivity risks or bottlenecks, and input on digital engagement with advisers and customers. The growth and commercial leadership role targets advisers with experience expanding advice businesses, entering new customer segments, or developing new propositions. The council is expected to draw on their views on scalable systems and processes, opportunity assessment, partnership structures, and the interaction between growth initiatives, regulation, and customer outcomes.
The diversity, community, and cultural insight role is directed at advisers with close connections to New Zealand’s varied communities, including Māori, Pacific, Asian, ethnic minority, and migrant populations. The position involves advising on access barriers, cultural influences on insurance decisions, tailored communications, and trends within specific demographic groups. All three roles share a common skills profile. Fidelity Life is looking for advisers with established practice expertise, experience working with a range of customer needs, prior involvement in advisory or leadership forums, alignment with the insurer’s conduct expectations, and the ability to contribute to diversity of thought, tenure, gender, geography, and business type. The appointments are for two years, with quarterly in‑person meetings in Auckland and reasonable travel costs covered.
Fidelity Life describes the council’s main purpose as gathering “insightful and relevant feedback and respond with actions” that it says are aimed at improving outcomes for advisers and their clients. The council’s activity is organised around three pillars:
The insurer uses a rolling two-year tenure model, adding about five new members each year. It says this is intended to give members time to understand the council’s work and see the results of their input, while maintaining a regular flow of new perspectives. Selection factors include relevant experience, reasons for wanting to join, views on how the council can influence customer outcomes, and the ability to attend and participate in quarterly sessions.
Kirwan said the decision to add industry representatives is linked to changes in the operating environment. “We listen, we act, we deliver. Now is the moment to evolve the Adviser council for what comes next. Building on a strong foundation, this next phase expands the council to include industry representatives, broadening perspectives and strategic impact. Our commitment to genuine partnership with advisers remains firm as we work together to deliver better outcomes for more New Zealanders and strengthen our connection to the wider industry,” she said.
The governance changes to the council sit alongside ongoing adviser education initiatives run by Fidelity Life. In December 2025, the insurer held graduation events for 50 advisers who completed the 2025 Adviser edge Professional pathways and Advice masters programmes, which ran over the year and included workshops and coaching with external presenters and industry practitioners. Since launching in 2024, Adviser edge has worked with more than 200 advisers. Fidelity Life says all participants have reported positive business impacts and indicated they would recommend the programme to peers. In 2026, Adviser edge is scheduled to continue with three core programmes – Career connect, Professional pathways, and Advice masters – and an international study tour option for business owners and senior advisers. Expressions of interest for these programmes are open, alongside applications for the revised Adviser council, which close on Feb. 27, with appointments to be announced afterwards.
