Steering our Aotearoa team to success: from boating to commercial insurance

Sun Chaser Nick Meister is Executive Manager of Business Property in New Zealand. He proudly leads diverse and innovative teams across business insurance, risk surveying and construction and engineering from the Suncorp Auckland office. 

Mr Meister’s teams support a broad range of business customers’ interests - from a tradesperson's tools to multi-million-dollar commercial buildings and infrastructure projects. They work closely with distribution teams, partners and brokers to deliver business underwriting solutions and explore preventative and proactive ways to reduce risk for New Zealand businesses.  

“As one of the largest insurers in New Zealand, my ambition for our area is not only to protect businesses by providing cover when things go wrong but to actively help identify and mitigate risks, enabling customers to operate sustainably and thrive in an ever-changing environment,” Mr Meister said. 

Interestingly, his drive to deliver great outcomes and build high-performing teams didn’t begin on land, it started on the Waitematā Harbour. His passion for boating and the maritime community led him to a career in insurance, and it continues to inspire the work he does today. 

A close connection to the marine community inspired a journey in insurance 

Mr Meister’s early years were spent on Auckland’s North Shore, where he was involved in rowing, fishing and sailing on the Waitematā Harbour. A role as an insurance broker kickstarted his interest in insurance as he discovered the industry's role in protecting communities in some of their most challenging times. 

Mr Meister explained: “I fell into insurance, as a lot of people do, but this role allowed me to stay connected to yachting and the marine community while discovering my passion for insurance. Christchurch’s earthquakes had just happened, and seeing how insurance can rebuild communities was an ‘a-ha moment’ for me. Insurance became more than a job - it was both a career and purpose.” 

Over the next decade, Mr Meister’s career progressed from broking to underwriting and leadership roles, before joining Suncorp New Zealand, where he continues to pursue his passion for leadership and growth.

Growing and leading a diverse team to success across the Tasman 

Mr Meister has managed a team since early in his career, and he champions diversity, inclusion and innovation, including a focus on supporting neurodiversity in the workplace and attracting new talent into the New Zealand industry. He and his team also collaborate closely across the Tasman with their Australian colleagues. 

“We want to innovate and do things differently. One of the strengths of the business is that we have created a strong talent pool and have portfolio expertise across ‘both sides of the ditch.’ Being that leading trans-Tasman insurer is something that resonates with both me and the team. 

“The freedom for us to lean into our strengths in local markets and share two-way learnings with the team in Australia has created some great opportunities to better support our customers.” 

Mr Meister credits his sporting background, particularly in yachting, for helping him lead his team. 

“Yachting is a great analogy for teamwork. On a boat, everyone needs to work together seamlessly; you have to be flexible, responsive and in sync to make the boat go faster. You can’t sail in two different directions! 

My role is to help steer the ship; to set the course informed by our strategy and give the team clarity on where we’re heading. But you don’t need to do every job yourself. Success comes from trusting, listening and empowering your crew to do what they do best... the analogy could go on!” 

Leading while navigating life milestones and changes within the insurance industry 

Mr Meister experienced significant life milestones in recent years, including becoming a parent for the first time, and is grateful for the support Suncorp has provided along the way. 

Mr Meister also reflected on changing times for the insurance industry in recent years, with the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle highlighting the importance of insurance and opportunities for adaptation.   

“The whole business stepped up, not only to support our customers during these events, but to also deliver big changes to our business, including responding to the inflationary environment, working closely with our brokers while also enhancing our underwriting practice, pricing models and risk surveying tools.  

“I’m incredibly proud of what our team and business has achieved.”