Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Master Plumbers welcomes practical changes to proposed self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers

Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

Master Plumbers welcomes the government’s moves to strengthen a self-certification scheme that will enable certified plumbers and drainlayers to sign-off on their own work.
“We have advocated strongly for self-certification for years and have worked closely with the Minister to ensure it will deliver the cost and time-saving benefits intended,” Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says.
The scheme will align plumbers and drainlayers with gasfitters, who have been able to self-certify their work for 13 years. It includes plumbing and drainlaying work that is considered low-risk and routine, such as pumped systems, septic tanks, water tanks, as well as solar hot water and greywater collection systems. More complex work will still require consents and local council inspection.
“The scheme strikes a sensible balance between maintaining standards and enabling efficiency and will be well received by plumbers, drainlayers, and consumers alike.”
Self-certification is when a certifying tradesperson signs off on their own work without a council consent or inspection. It is already used by electricians and gasfitters, the latter of which are often plumbers as well.
Master Plumbers appreciates the engagement it has had with Building and Construction Minister Hon Chris Penk throughout the scheme’s development.
“The Minister has listened to industry feedback and worked collaboratively with the sector to ensure the new scheme is practical and effective,” says Mr Wallace.
“We anticipate most certified plumbers and drainlayers will sign up to the scheme. I’ve always said that if your plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer isn’t prepared to back their work, why would you employ them to do the job?”
The Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill is currently progressing through Parliament with the scheme expected to be introduced later this year.
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 19 regional Branches across Aotearoa New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
About Masterlink:
Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
About NZ Plumber:
NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand's plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.
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Recreation – Ducks In A Row For Bumper Game Bird Season

Source: Fish and Game NZ

What’s been a “rubbish” summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts next weekend (May 2/3).
Wellington Fish & Game manager Phil Teal says a range of factors have aligned in the lead up to the season to get hunter excitement levels ratcheted up.
“By our standards in this part of New Zealand, it’s been a pretty rubbish summer, with frequent weather events ranging in intensity from mild to severe.
“The wet conditions have come at a crucial time for young ducks, though, meaning there’s been plenty of places they can feed which greatly improves survival rate.”
That’s lead to a reasonable jump in duck numbers across much of the lower North Island.
“Every year we monitor the mallard duck population by conducting transect surveys using small aircraft – this helps us set sustainable harvest limits for hunters. Overall, we’re looking at around a 16 per cent increase in mallard numbers this year compared to last season.”
Mr Teal says another bonus from the average weather has been a delayed crop harvest in the region.
“Mallards are opportunistic feeders and will move in to feed briefly on maize and grain from recently harvested paddocks,” he says.
“The fact that the harvest has been quite late could see more ducks remain locally, for longer, because they don’t need to search for food elsewhere.”
While there are plenty of ducks around on the eve of next weekend’s Opening (May 2/3), the torrential rain means some hunters may have to adapt to wider bird distribution.
“There’s a lot more standing water around this season, giving ducks more options for where they feed and roost. Hunters may need to take that into account and have a few back-up spots if the ducks aren’t coming into their chosen possie on Opening morning.”
He’s also encouraging hunters to hunt throughout the season: “Often we see blue skies and calm condition over Opening Weekend which favours the ducks because they can fly high, and this makes hunting a little more challenging.
“The better waterfowl hunting weather comes later in the season, so hunters should make the most of their investment in a game bird hunting licence and get out often after Opening too.”
Over 5000 duck hunters are expected to be out in the Wellington Fish & Game region – roughly the area between Cook Strait and Waiouru – over Opening Weekend.
“Duck hunting is an important tradition for many Kiwis – one of the few recreational pursuits that sees some senior rugby cancelled over the weekend. Friends and families come together from all walks of life, often the only time they see each other for the year, to harvest some healthy food and socialise after the hunt.
“It’s an important bridge for the rural-urban divide too, with many landowners generously allowing hunters onto their properties. Opening Weekend of the game bird season is certainly a big part of Kiwi culture and has a significant following in the lower North Island.”
Anyone hunting ducks must have a valid game bird licence, available from the Fish & Game website – www.fishandgame.org.nz – or outdoor supplies stores.
Mr Teal points out that Fish & Game Rangers will be active across the region, checking compliance, with support from Police officers.
“Make sure you’ve got your game bird licence, you’re familiar with the regulations and bag limits for the season, and always follow the firearms safety rules.”
WHAT IS FISH & GAME?
Fish & Game manage trout, salmon and game birds to provide healthy recreation for Kiwis.
We work to protect the environment that anglers and hunters have enjoyed as a tradition for over 150 years.
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Fire Safety – Fire ban lifted in three areas of Otago

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire seasons for Otago Central, Lakes, and Upper Waitaki zones from 8am, Thursday 23 April, until further notice.
This means you do not need to apply for a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light an outdoor fire in these areas.
Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk in these three zones. However, he says the following special fire risk zones remain in prohibited fire seasons and restricted fire seasons.
Prohibited fire season:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
– Lake Ohau.
During a prohibited fire season, all outdoor fires and fireworks are completely banned.
Restricted fire season:
– Naseby
– Glendhu Bluffs.
During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.
Deane Chalmers says no matter the fire season, people should always remain cautious.
“Fires can start in Otago at any time of the year.
“The conditions can change quickly, so we would still ask that anyone planning to light a fire in the open ensures they do so safely and with consideration for others.
“If you’re planning on lighting a fire, remember to continue going to www.checkitsalright.nz to check if it’s safe to light.”
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Education – Education sector backlash against Government’s curriculum reforms intensifies

Source: NZ Principals Federation

The education sector is demanding that the Government pause the rollout of its rushed curriculum reforms as opposition to the direction, scope, and pace of change continues to swell.
A joint statement to the Minister of Education opposing the rushed and poorly designed changes has seen a surge in support, with more educators and peak bodies calling for an immediate pause.
Originally issued on 24 March following a hui organised by the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) and NZEI Te Riu Roa, the statement – published today in major newspapers nationwide – has been endorsed by a breadth of educators, peak bodies, and subject associations, signaling a unified front against the changes.
Education leaders oppose the changes due to their frantic pace, flawed direction, and a lack of genuine consultation. They warn that pushing ahead without sector buy-in risks failing the very students the changes are intended to support.
“As they stand, the current draft curriculum documents and framework are not fit for purpose and do not meet the Ministry of Education’s own stated standards,” the educators said in the statement.
The statement said the changes do not honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and have been “driven by the narrow, ideological interests of a small group.”
“The sector has not been adequately resourced, nor has it been given enough time, to consider or implement the expected change,” the educators added.
NZPF President Jason Miles said proposals as significant as these curriculum reforms need to be made thoughtfully, not urgently, and must involve the professionals implementing them.
“We’re continually frustrated by the Education Minister’s misplaced enthusiasm while the sector is reeling. Despite the extremely limited timeframe to review the curriculum packages, we have coordinated feedback from sector leaders to accurately represent the views and needs of principals and tumuaki across New Zealand.
“It’s now time for the Minister to do her part by listening to and acting on our shared concerns,” Mr Miles said.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Ripeka Lessels described the Government’s sweeping curriculum changes as a reckless departure from evidence-based learning that will leave both teachers and tamariki behind.
“Educators are being told to implement a total curriculum overhaul at a breakneck pace and with minimal support, which is a recipe for failure,” Mrs Lessels said.
“If the Minister truly cares about improving the educational outcomes for our tamariki, she will pause these changes and bring the profession into the room to design a curriculum that actually works.”
List of educators, peak bodies, and subject associations who signed the joint statement:
  • Jason Miles, President, New Zealand Principals’ Federation
  • Ripeka Lessels, Te Manukura | President, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Neke Adams, Te Tai Tokerau Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Kim Alexander, President, Selwyn Principals’ Association
  • Professor Vivienne Anderson, Dean, College of Education, University of Otago
  • Frances Arapere, Te Haunui Central Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Amanda Bennett, President, Waitākere Area Principals’ Association
  • Kaz Bissett, President, South Otago Principals’ Association
  • Kim Blackwood, President, Otago Primary Principals’ Association
  • Russell Burt, Chairman, Tāmaki Community Development Trust
  • Yvonne Catherwood, President, Buller Principals’ Association
  • Rachel Chater, President, Kawerau Principals’ Association
  • Bridget Chilton, Te Rāngai Matanga Kaiwhakaako, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Nikki Clarke, Member, Canterbury Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools
  • Dr Claire Coleman, Aotearoa Educators Collective
  • Simon Craggs, President, Papakura Principals’ Association
  • Glenn Davies, Northern Wairoa President, Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association
  • Anna Davis, Area Council Chair, Waitaha, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Thomas Davison, President, Te Manihi Tumuaki, Northland Secondary School Principals’ Association
  • Stu Devenport, Lower Hutt Cluster President, Wellington Regional Primary Principals’ Association
  • Mandy Dodds, President, West Coast Principals’ Association
  • Dr Therese Ford, National Coordinator, Te Akapūmau
  • Vaughan Franklin, North Hamilton Cluster President, Waikato Principals’ Association
  • Sally Griffin and Cassie Katene, Co-convenors, Te Ope Kohungahunga (Early Childhood National Leadership Group), NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Maia Hall, Auckland Women’s Centre
  • Mark Harris, President, Gisborne Principals’ Association
  • Celeste Hawkins, Support Staff National Caucus Kaiawhina Tautoko, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Martin Hett, President, Ōtaki-Kāpiti Principals’ Association
  • Dr Paul Heyward, Professional Teaching Fellow, Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Hamish Hislop, Co-President, Whiria New Plymouth Principals’ Association
  • Sam Hocking, Co-President, Hawke’s Bay Principals’ Association
  • Sophie Hoskins, on behalf of Fiona McDonald, Education Outdoors New Zealand
  • Antoinette Hudson, Co-chair, Waikato Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Ben Hutchings, President, Mangere Principals’ Association
  • Associate Professor Naomi Ingram, University of Otago and member of Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Bert Iosia, President, New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association
  • Bruce Jepsen, Te Manukura, Te Akatea
  • Jason Johnson, Special Education National Reference Group
  • Jude Karaitiana, Co-chair, Central East Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Rachael Kavermann and Zac Markham, Co-convenors, Ngā Aukaha, NZEI Te Riu Roa National Leadership Group
  • Dave Lamont, President, Taita-Stokes Valley Kāhui Ako
  • Andrew Leverton, President, Mid-Canterbury Principals’ Association
  • Robyn Lose, Chair, Bay of Plenty/Te Rohe o Te Waiariki Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Maree Lucas, President, North Canterbury Principals’ Association
  • Annmaree MacGregor, President, Whangārei Principals’ Association
  • Stephanie Madden, Chair, NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals’ Council
  • Associate Professor Dr Richard Manning, University of Canterbury
  • Maiana McCurdy, Chair, North Shore-Hibiscus Rōpū, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Donna McDonald, Co-President, Mana Primary Principals’ Association
  • Heemi McDonald, Physical Education New Zealand
  • Malcolm Milner, Eden-Albert Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
  • Jan Monds, Convenor, Support Staff National Caucus Kaiawhina Tautoko, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Brendon Morrissey, President, Te Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association
  • Glenys Murphy, Te Haunui Central Area Council
  • Lucy Naylor, President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
  • Chris North, Education Outdoors New Zealand
  • Zara and Debbie North, Counties Manukau Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Amanda O’Brien, Interim President, South Canterbury Principals’ Association
  • Gary O’Brien, President, North Shore Principals’ Association
  • Saane Faaofo Oldehaver, President, Manurewa Principals’ Association
  • Craig Pentecost, President, Western Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association
  • Alicia Poroa, Megan Collins, and Maria Perreau, Aotearoa Social Studies Educators’ Network
  • Shirley Porteous, President, Wellington Regional Primary Principals’ Association
  • Mark Potter, Founding member, Education for All
  • Dr Matiu Ratima, Senior Lecturer, Mātauraka Māori, College of Education, University of Otago
  • Nick Raynor, President, Hieke Nelson Principals’ Association
  • Lisa Dillon-Roberts, President, Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association
  • Matt Sides, Hibiscus Coast Principals’ Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
  • Marama Stewart, President, Eastern Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association
  • Lynda Stuart, Aotearoa Educators Collective
  • Maureen Svensson, Chair, Murihiku Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Ramona Taogaga, Chair, Taranaki Area Council, NZEI Te Riu Roa
  • Hinei Taute, Vice President, Rotorua Principals’ Association
  • Annette Thomson, Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand
  • Craig Thornhill, New Zealand History Teachers’ Association
  • Etuale Togia, New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association
  • Juliette Toma, Member, Mana Primary Principals’ Association
  • Todd Warmington, President, Northern Wairoa Principals’ Association
  • Samantha Wehipeihana, Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand
  • Dr Patricia Wells, Senior Lecturer, University of Otago
  • Alicia Whata, Inner City Cluster President, Auckland Primary Principals’ Association
  • Jennie Williams, Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Art Educators
  • Tracey Woolley, Chair, NZEI Te Riu Roa Area Council Waitakere Rōpū.
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Dental Costs – Landmark Report Lays Out Costed Plan for Universal Dental, Calls on Politicians to Act on “Gap in the Public Health System”

Source: Dental for All

A landmark report released today outlines a detailed proposal to make oral healthcare free and universal in New Zealand. The report, ‘Fixing Oral Healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Costed Policy Plan for Delivering Dental for All’, is published by Dental for All and includes costings by independent economists for a national network of community oral health clinics. (ref. https://www.dentalforall.nz/ )

“We need urgent action to address this gap in the public health system,” says Dental for All campaigner, Hana Pilkinton-Ching. “Our policy paper outlines a credible pathway to an oral health system which upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensures everyone can access the oral healthcare they need. It shows that universal dental is feasible and affordable.”

The report proposes an Adult Community Oral Health Service, featuring over 700 clinics across Aotearoa New Zealand which would provide oral healthcare free in the community. These clinics – along with funding for by-Māori, for Māori services; training and expanding the workforce; and ramping up policy skills in oral health – are estimated to cost $936 million per annum, alongside a one-off capital investment of $1.1 billion.

“The only reason dental is carved out of our public healthcare system is lobbying by dentists in 1938 – we’re not where we are for any good medical or policy reason,” says Dental for All campaigner and researcher, Kayli Taylor. “To our knowledge, this is the first time a detailed plan for free, universal, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare has been published, and it is now ready to be implemented by politicians.”

The report proposes expanding the number of seats for training dentists at the University of Otago, describes what level of service would be covered by an Adult Community Oral Health Service, and lays out a scheme to attract dentists and oral health therapists to the national network. Private dentists would be free to continue offering their services under the proposal.

“Our whānau have waited and suffered long enough,” says Leeann Waaka, dental therapist and co-tumuaki for Te Ao Mārama – Aotearoa Māori Dental Association. “They deserve an oral health system worthy of them, one that upholds their dignity, gives life to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and brings hei oranga niho mō te iwi Māori into reality. This policy is carried by the voice of our whānau and by the solutions they seek. My hope is that their voices rise beyond this launch and become the turning point for bold and lasting action.”

A recent Talbot Mills poll from March this year found 83% of people in New Zealand supported bringing dental into the public healthcare system.

“No longer can politicians ignore the damaging effects of our privatised model of oral healthcare, or argue there is no solution to these problems,” adds Hana Pilkinton-Ching of Dental for All.

A further report by FrankAdvice showed in 2024 that current dental settings, which involved privatised dental for over-18s, are costing the country $2.5 billion in lost productivity and $3.1 billion in lost quality of life. (ref. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6716db8303911558a264ceeb/t/6893fb04bd24865e5efa7e1f/1754528521108/FrankAdvice_report_for_Dental_for_All_Coalition.pdf )

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An overview of disability data in Aotearoa New Zealand – Stats NZ report

 

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Government’s attack on Māori health raised at the UN – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Concerns over the Coalition Government’s active reversal of policies designed to improve Māori health outcomes were raised at the United Nations in New York this morning.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku told the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues that despite formally endorsing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Government was actively stepping back from its commitment to policy and practice.
Kerri Nuku said Māori continued to face ongoing systemic racism over their rights to health, equity and self-determination.
She told the forum the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora removed Māori leadership from the health system, despite clear evidence that Māori experienced persistent and systemic inequities in health outcomes, including a life expectancy around seven years shorter than non-Māori.
“For Māori workers, this results in insecure employment, limited access to care, and declining health outcomes. These impacts are particularly severe for wahine Māori and survivors of state care and abuse, who already face compounding inequities in health, safety and access to support.
“This is not accidental. This is a predictable result of decisions that reduce indigenous participation, dismantle targeted solutions and weaken accountability,” Kerri Nuku says.
She called on the forum to recognise that racism affecting indigenous health can be structural and policy driven.
“We call on the New Zealand Government to uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi, align with UNDRIP and restore Māori leadership in Health and Social Policy. We request that this forum monitor and report on developments in Aotearoa, New Zealand, including the impact of current policies on Māori health and rights. If these directions continue, inequities will deepen, not by choice, not by chance, but by choice.
“We therefore call on the Government of New Zealand to demonstrate how its current policies are consistent with its commitment, and because at present, the gap between commitment and reality continues to widen.”
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Health – UK smokefree generation plan sets global pace, Asthma and Respiratory Foundation applauds move

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

The UK is drawing a line under smoking for future generations – a world-leading ambition New Zealand should not have scrapped three years ago, a leading lung health charity says.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is praising the UK for moving forward with legislation to create a smokefree generation, signalling a decisive shift in tobacco control.
Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says the UK’s move painted New Zealand’s repeal of Smokefree 2025 in a far more critical light.
“We were right there – we were at the forefront of committing to a smokefree generation.
“Our plan was bold, evidence-based, and focused on protecting future generations,” she says.
“Then it was scrapped, and with it went a world-leading commitment to our tamariki to protect them from tobacco harm.”
The health implications of tobacco harm are significant and long-term, Ms Harding says.
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable respiratory and cardiac diseases in New Zealand, continuing to place significant pressure on individuals, whānau, and the health system.
“If we can stop young people from starting smoking, you don’t just change habits – you change outcomes,” Ms Harding says.
“That means fewer lung cancer cases, less chronic respiratory and cardiac diseases, and fewer premature deaths across the population over time.”
According to the latest New Zealand Health Survey, daily smoking rates remain at 6.8% for people aged 15 and over, largely unchanged from the previous three years.
This stagnation highlights the need for stronger intervention, she says.
“It’s clear smoking rates have plateaued.
“Without a bold, structural plan to end uptake in the first place, we are managing the problem rather than solving it.”
The UK’s policy has reset the benchmark for ambition in tobacco control, Ms Harding says.
“The UK has raised the bar – now New Zealand needs to come to the party.”
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Fast Track To Pollution? "Dirty coal and dirty water": Greenpeace condemns proposed fertiliser factory

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is condemning the proposal to build a ‘coal-to-fertiliser’ factory in Southland through the Fast Track process, saying it will worsen climate change, further contaminate drinking water, and destabilise food system resilience in Aotearoa.
Greenpeace agriculture spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “This year, New Zealand communities have been hit repeatedly with deadly floods and storms, driven by the climate crisis, which have destroyed homes and livelihoods. And in the middle of this, an Australian company wants to come to New Zealand and use the dirtiest, most polluting fossil fuel to create more fertiliser for New Zealand’s dirtiest, most climate-polluting industry.”
“This proposal would add to a toxic cocktail of pollution that is cooking the climate, contaminating drinking water, and wrecking lakes and rivers across the country. It would burn more fossil fuels and fundamentally increase New Zealand agribusiness’ reliance on unsustainable inputs.”
Synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand than the entire domestic aviation industry, and is also one of the biggest contributors to contamination in freshwater ecosystems, leading to nitrate contamination.
“Everybody has the right to safe, clean drinking water, swimmable rivers, and a stable climate – and we want our kids and grandkids to get to experience that too. Building the proposed factory would undermine those rights for future generations, all for the sake of producing milk powder for use in confectionery products,” says Appelbe.
“This fertiliser plant would induce demand, and bake in a reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser for decades, forcing New Zealand farmers to stay trapped in a system that doesn’t work for people, animals, or the planet.”
Access to fertiliser is a hot topic for New Zealand farmers, due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. However, Greenpeace says that any reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser puts the New Zealand agricultural sector at risk.
“Instead of furthering the addiction to urea, we need to break the cycle and transition to ways of farming that work with nature to grow real food to feed New Zealanders.”
“That means phasing out the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, reducing herd sizes, and transitioning to ecological, plant-based agricultural practices that are more resilient in the face of global shocks.”
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Insurance Sector – APAC Insurers Are Racing into Private Markets. Their Infrastructure Is Not Keeping Up

Source: Clearwater Analytics

Clearwater Analytics survey of 150 executives managing $3.8 trillion finds private market allocations set to grow by two-thirds in five years, even as the systems underpinning them fall further behind

HONG KONG, SINGAPORE & SYDNEY – Insurance executives across Asia Pacific are accelerating into private markets. Within five years, the 150 executives surveyed by Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) expect to allocate a third of their combined $3.8 trillion in assets to private debt, private equity, infrastructure and other alternatives up from 20% today.

The infrastructure supporting these ambitions, however, is not keeping pace.

Ninety-three percent of those same executives acknowledge that legacy technology is already constraining their business, even as they press forward with allocations that demand more from it, not less. The asset classes they are moving into fastest are the ones their systems are least prepared to handle.

“The firms that will lead the next phase of growth in Asia Pacific are already asking the right questions: does our infrastructure match our ambition, and does our scale allow us to compete as this market becomes more complex?” said Shane Akeroyd, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Asia Pacific, Clearwater Analytics. “Those that close the capability gap now are not just solving a technology problem. They are positioning themselves to lead what comes next.”

Where the Capability Gap Is Widest

The capabilities most critical to private market investing are the ones APAC insurers are least equipped to deliver across four key areas:

Data integration: The foundation everything else depends on, ingesting and normalizing data across multiple systems and managers. Only 42% of firms rate their systems as excellent.
Asset complexity: The single capability most essential to the portfolios they are building, and the lowest rated in the survey. Only 23% of firms are confident their systems can support it.
Regulatory reporting: The #1 driver of technology spending, ranking 60% higher than the next priority. Yet fewer than half of firms rate their compliance reporting systems as excellent.
Cross-asset risk aggregation: 86% say it is under-resourced, and 46% of third-party firms report that risk visibility has deteriorated over the past two years.

A Regional M&A Wave Is Coming

Ninety-six percent of APAC insurers expect a rise in domestic M&A activity over the next three years. In that environment, operational capability is not a back-office concern; it is a competitive differentiator. The firms that close the capability gap are positioned to lead the consolidation wave. Those that do not are likely to be swept up in it.

There are early signs of movement: 56% of insurers plan to increase their use of data analytics over the next 12 months, and 55% will integrate AI and machine learning. But 95% say the industry remains resistant to change, which helps explain why the technology gap persists even though executives acknowledge it.

The full findings are available for download today, including market-by-market breakdowns for Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia, and an assessment framework to compare your firm's operational readiness against peers: https://cwan.com/resources/reports/apac-insurance-report/

Survey Methodology

The 2025-2026 APAC Insurance Report surveyed 150 senior executives across life insurers, general insurers, and third-party investment firms in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Respondents collectively manage $3.8 trillion in assets. Participants included C-suite leaders and senior investment and operations executives across the region.

About CWAN

Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) is transforming investment management with the industry's most comprehensive cloud-native platform for institutional investors across global public and private markets. While legacy systems create risk, inefficiency, and data fragmentation, CWAN's single-instance, multi-tenant architecture delivers real-time data and AI-driven insights throughout the investment lifecycle. The platform eliminates information silos by integrating portfolio management, trading, investment accounting, reconciliation, regulatory reporting, performance, compliance, and risk analytics in one unified system. Serving leading insurers, asset managers, hedge funds, banks, corporations, and governments, CWAN supports over $10 trillion in assets globally.Learn more at www.cwan.com.