Busy time for conferences

NZILA President’s message – Kavita Deobhakta

As NZILA president, I had a very eventful (and enjoyable) three months.

In August, I was honoured to be hosted by AILA at the AIDA World Insurance Congress in Melbourne, Australia. The conference was expertly delivered and an excellent mix of learning and social activities, with the highlight for me being the sessions on war and conflict.

Certainly not an easy event to coordinate with so many international attendees and speakers. Congratulations to the committee members who worked tirelessly to deliver such a world-class event.

I was also privileged to be asked to speak at the working party groups on the Wednesday before the Congress on New Zealand’s legislative response to the defective building crisis. Together with fellow Kiwis, Myles Noble from Gallagher and Aaron Sherriff from Duncan Cotterill, I hope we were able to deliver some insights into the New Zealand market and the jurisdictional and common law issues. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow insurance colleagues and scholars from around Australia and the world.   

Straight after WICA2023, I attended the NZILA National Conference (where I managed to lose my voice from all the talking and presenting). The 2023 NZILA conference was on 6-8 September, themed 41 Degrees South in Wellington: Te Whanganui a Tara.

New Zealand’s newest convention centre, Tākina, was the venue for all conference sessions and the conference dinner, with other social functions close by. The welcome function was at The Boatshed and the long lunch at the Michael Fowler Centre.

The program delivered high-quality presentations aimed at current issues facing the insurance law sector with a focus on the upcoming regulatory changes, climate change, cyber and recent case studies. We enjoyed several international speakers, along with three breakout streams, three academic snapshots and multiple panel sessions and interviews.  This year’s program was comprehensive and well received, attracting a record number of sponsors coupled with our highest attendance yet. Overall, it was a great success.

November proved to be a catch-up month.

December sees NZILA go into its Christmas celebrations, and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to a safe and relaxing summer ahead.