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History

  • About Us – Our History & Team
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    • Fair Insurance Code – Member of ICNZ
    • Our History – Origins Back to 1869
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      • Meet Our Board of Directors
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        • Blair Turnbull – Management Team
        • Jonathan Beale – Management Team
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        • Michelle James – Management Team
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        • Ron Mudaliar – Management Team
        • Steve Wilson – Management Team
    • Latest News – All About Insurance
      • Latest Insurance News – 2022
        • Rising Stars at Tower celebrate award wins
        • Kiwis Reasons for Travel Findings
        • Tower Elevates Women Leadership in Insurance
        • Tower Wins 2022 General Insurer of the Year
      • Latest Insurance News – 2021
        • Tower to Acquire ANZ Legacy Portfolio
        • Tower Rating Reaffirmed as A- (Excellent)
        • Data Partnership to Improve Our Sector
        • Tower Launches Barracks Cover with NZDF
        • GoCarma is Supporting Kiwis to Travel
        • Tower records sound half year result
        • Tower partners with Open
        • Tower & Allianz Partners work together
        • Smart Data Usage Helps Slash Quoting Time
        • Tower Insurance hits the water
        • Sustainability Benefit for House Insurance
        • Trade Me and Tower Renew Partnership
        • Canstar Car Insurer of the Year Winner
        • Smart Data Usage Helps Slash Quoting Time
        • Tower Pinpoints Fraud to Enable Faster Claim
        • Summer boom anticipated for boaties
        • Tower appoints Chief Financial Officer
        • Our Partnership with Business Link Pacific
        • Tower Acquires Limited Shares in NPI
        • Tower and Allianz Strengthens Partnership
        • Tower Appoints CCO and CRO
        • Residential Flood Risks Tool
        • Our GoCarma App Reveals Best & Worst Drivers
      • Latest Insurance News – 2020
        • New Tower CEO Announced
        • Corporate Structure Update Sept 2020
        • Tower Gives Back $7.2m to Customers
        • Tower Supports Climate Risk Reporting
        • Tower Completes Acquisition of Youi NZ
        • Digital & Data Delivers Profit Growth
        • Corporate Structure Update Jun 2020
        • Tower Fixes Fee Disclosure Issues
        • Tower Supports New Working Way with EQC
        • Tower Insurance takes EQC to Court
        • Tower Supports Customers During COVID-19
        • Tower Partnership a Win for Consumers
        • Tower Commits to Refund COVID-19 Claims
      • Latest Insurance News – 2018
        • Have you Met Charlie Yet
        • 2 Executives to Drive Digital Change
        • Fintel Refund Update
      • Latest Insurance News – 2019
        • Junior Weightlifter Welcomes New Sponsor
        • This Industry Needs to Rebuild Trust
        • Shine & MBM Appointment
        • Tower to Acquire Youi NZ
        • Moving Toward a Better, Fairer Industry
        • Tower Welcomes New Financial Regime
        • Tower Funds Fijian Ecovillage
      • Latest Insurance News – 2017
        • Insurance Policy Wins English Award
        • Kaikoura & Edgecumbe Claims Finalised
        • Suncorp’s Off-Market Share Offer
        • Fintel Refund
        • Suncorp Reaches 19.99% Threshold
        • Non-Binding Proposal from Vero
      • Latest Insurance News – 2016
        • Tower Mobilises Response Team
        • Christchurch Earthquake Update
        • Tower Refunding Customers
        • Air NZ Announcement
        • Tower Warns of Low Ball Share Offers
        • Canterbury Earthquake Nov 2014
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About Us – Our History & TeamWhy TowerFair Insurance Code – Member of ICNZOur History – Origins Back to 1869Meet Our People Leading InsuranceLatest News – All About InsuranceSustainabilityMedia & Sponsorship EnquiriesCanterbury Earthquake UpdatePublicly Available Disclosure

Tower Insurance origins go back to 1869 when the Government Life Insurance Office (Government Life) was created in New Zealand, with its initial capital provided by the New Zealand government. 

Government Life became a separate statutory body with the passing of the Government Life Insurance Act in 1953. It was renamed Tower Corporation in 1987 and in 1990 ownership was conferred to its policyholders with the passing of the Tower Corporation Act, allowing Tower to be owned as a mutual association.

To remove growth constraints resulting from difficulties in accessing new capital under the mutual association structure, Tower undertook a demutualisation process in 1999 with the approval of its policyholders and the High Court. The effect of this was to convert Tower’s legal status to a shareholder owned company. Subsequent to the demutualisation, Tower Limited undertook a listing on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges in September 1999. In November 2006 Tower's New Zealand and Australian businesses were separated with the approval of its shareholders and the High Court.

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