About ASFONZ

• Our Mission
• Our History
• How ASFONZ membership strengthens our industry

The Association of Superannuation Funds of New Zealand Incorporated (ASFONZ) is "the voice of workplace super" in New Zealand.  

ASFONZ is a national, not-for-profit, apolitical membership organisation that represents the interests of employers who offer workplace superannuation, their trustees & members, as well as superannuation industry service providers and professional advisers.

Our membership embraces all types of workplace superannuation schemes (KiwiSaver, public & corporate, union-sponsored & industry-based), as well as employers and service providers to the workplace superannuation industry. 

 

Our Mission

ASFONZ strives to achieve this through:-

1. Advocacy - being the recognised voice for all employers and trustees involved in workplace superannuation, through:
   
   (i) advocating legislative and public policy initiatives beneficial to the industry;
   
   (ii) making submissions and commentary on existing and proposed legislative and public policy initiatives;
   
   (iii) issuing press releases and other public commentary on matters of wider concern or interest to members; and
   
   (iv) staying in contact with responsible Ministers, regulatory and industry bodies, the Retirement Commissioner and Government Departments to protect, promote and advance members' interests.
2. Education - promoting trustee, employer and member education through dedicated training programmes, newsletters and special interest seminars.
3. Networking - providing trustees, employers and service providers involved in workplace superannuation with a regular forum for sharing ideas and information on industry matters.

Our History

ASFONZ was established in 1969.

Although a variety of superannuation and pension schemes had been established many years before this, they operated in isolation.

The schemes, as such, had no real voice.   The creation of ASFONZ provided an important vehicle for increasing understanding among sponsors and managers of schemes of the issues that they were facing.   It enabled schemes to stand together with a representative voice to safeguard the interest of all concerned - members, beneficiaries, trustees and employers.

One of the main reasons ASFONZ was established 39 years ago was to provide a vehicle for those interested parties to share ideas and ensure their views were heard.   This remains relevant today.

 

How ASFONZ membership strengthens our industry

Membership of and participation in ASFONZ strengthens the collective voice and helps to build a powerful network for the workplace superannuation industry.   ASFONZ is the pre-eminent industry association focused on workplace superannuation industry issues.

From the grassroots membership through the Council and sub-committees, ASFONZ encourages participation and debate from all perspectives.  

ASFONZ's Strategic Direction

• Promote ASFONZ as the ‘Voice of Workplace Super'. 
• Work with Government to develop policies that achieve improved workplace superannuation outcomes.  In promoting these policies, ASFONZ will focus on regulatory efficiencies to minimize the extent to which the regulatory and taxation environment impede effective delivery of workplace super.
• Support employers, trustees and providers to deliver optimal workplace superannuation outcomes.
• Improve public confidence in workplace superannuation by reinforcing integrity, accountability and standards within the superannuation industry.
• Promote professionalism across the workplace superannuation industry.