Life Insurance
Lump sum payment if you were to pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Auckland, 30 April 2026
AIA NZ is strengthening its Distribution leadership and adviser support model with a series of senior appointments, positioning the business for the next phase of sustainable growth.
AIA NZ Chief Distribution Officer Jonathan Beale said the changes reflect a clear focus on scale, impact and delivering greater value to advisers.
“I have spent the past few months getting my feet under the desk, listening to advisers and our teams, and taking a close look at how our distribution model sets us up for the future,” says Jonathan. “We are now making some deliberate moves to ensure we are well placed to support advisers, deepen strategic partnerships and accelerate growth.”
Matt O'Rourke
AIA NZ has appointed Matt O’Rourke as Head of Strategic Accounts and Retail, effective 20 April.
Matt brings deep banking and relationship management experience, most recently as Senior Partner within BNZ’s Commercial Agri and Business Banking team. Prior to BNZ, he spent 35 years at ASB, including as Head of Private and Premium Banking.
“Matt is a highly respected leader with a strong track record in working with complex, nationwide relationships,” Jonathan says. “His energy, commercial mindset and understanding of distribution will be a real asset.”
Travis Higgins
Travis Higgins has been appointed Head of Aligned Advice, reflecting the strategic importance of this channel to AIA NZ’s long-term growth. Travis is well known across the business and adviser community, with 18 years’ experience at AIA NZ spanning Claims, Underwriting, New Business and Existing Business leadership roles.
“Travis brings deep operational knowledge and a highly collaborative leadership style,” Jonathan says. “He understands what advisers need to succeed and I’m confident he will continue to lift outcomes for aligned advisers and their clients.”
Kushla Glauser
Kushla Glauser has also been appointed as Head of ASB Partnership, effective 1 July, further strengthening capability across advice channels.
Kushla joins AIA NZ from Tower, where she is currently Head of Brand and Acquisition Marketing. Kushla brings more than 15 years’ experience across growth, customer acquisition and partner-led distribution within regulated financial services environments.
“Kushla is well regarded for her digital, marketing and commercial experience and will play a key role in supporting consistent, high-quality distribution outcomes,” says Jonathan.
AIA NZ has also appointed Nick Brunner as National Sales Manager – Retail, joining Pippa Leydon, National Sales Manager – Strategic Accounts, to round out a refreshed leadership structure.
Both are widely known and respected across the market. Nick moves into retail distribution after time spent as AIA NZ’s ASB National Sales Manager and brings strong banking and intermediary experience to the role. Pippa brings deep relationships and insight across the adviser landscape, further enhancing AIA’s national sales capability.
“These appointments add significant credibility and experience to our sales leadership,” says Jonathan. “They know the market, they know advisers and they know what good support looks like.”
Alongside leadership changes, AIA NZ has completed a review of its Distribution operating model, introducing a clearer, more focused approach to adviser support.
Under the refined model, Strategic Accounts will represent AIA’s highest‑value nationwide adviser groups and will receive coordinated, cross‑functional support through dedicated panels focused on enterprise‑level growth.
Retail advisers will be supported through regionally aligned panels, with resourcing guided by clear value and activity criteria. This approach sharpens the focus of Business Development Managers to where they can add the greatest value.
“The intent is simple,” says Jonathan. “To be very clear about where we focus our effort, to show up in ways that genuinely help advisers grow and to build partnerships that last.”
The refreshed structure comes as AIA NZ prepares for upcoming adviser visits, AIA Summit and activity around Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Auckland FC, providing opportunities to engage directly with advisers around the country.
“With the right leaders in place and a clearer operating model, we are now set up for success and just need to deliver,” says Jonathan. “This is about momentum, confidence and delivering on our ambition to be the insurance partner of choice for advisers across New Zealand.”
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For any media questions, please contact Rosalyn Lambert, AIA NZ Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs | rosalyn.lambert@aia.com
About AIA New Zealand
AIA New Zealand is a leading life insurer with over 40 years’ experience in the New Zealand market and is part of the AIA Group, the largest independent publicly listed Asia-Pacific life insurance group. With a unique customer value proposition focused on life, health and wellbeing, AIA New Zealand’s purpose is to help New Zealanders live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.