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We estimate this will take you 12-15 minutes to read in depth, 6-9 minutes to skim
 

Proposing to move Resolution Life NZ policyholders to Asteron Life

  1. What’s happening?

    We’re bringing our New Zealand businesses together under a single life entity, Acenda Life, from 2027, subject to regulatory approval.

    This is part of our broader plans to invest in and grow our business in New Zealand following our acquisition by Nippon Life.

    The transition to Acenda Life will take place in two stages, starting with a staged transfer of Resolution Life NZ policies to Asteron Life, subject to regulatory approvals. From 2027, Asteron Life New Zealand and Resolution Life New Zealand will come together as Acenda Life.

  2. Why are the funds of Resolution Life Australasia in New Zealand and Australia being separated?

    Today, both Resolution Life Australasia’s Australian and New Zealand policies sit within the same statutory fund, which exists to ensure assets are used to support policyholders, including paying claims.

    Separating the funds will remove unnecessary complexity from our business, and ensures assets are clearly set aside to support New Zealand policy owners.

    In 2027, all Resolution Life New Zealand policies will transfer to our other New Zealand life insurance business, Asteron Life.

    At that point, Resolution Life New Zealand and Asteron Life will come together under a single life entity and brand: Acenda Life.

    There is no immediate change to how you or your customers work with us, and no action is required.

  3. What is a statutory fund?

    A statutory fund is a pool of assets set aside to support policyholders. It ensures there are dedicated funds available to meet our customer obligations, such as paying claims.

  4. What is the process for moving RLNZ customers to Asteron Life, and when is it expected to happen?

    This will happen in two-stages, beginning in October 2026, aligned with our transition to become Acenda Life. Both stages require approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and other authorities.

    In stage one, Resolution Life Australasia proposes to split its existing statutory fund into two: one containing the assets supporting its New Zealand policies (known as Statutory Fund 5), and the other containing assets supporting its Australian policies (Statutory Fund 1).

    This ensures New Zealand assets are clearly set aside to support New Zealand policies and claims. This change is subject to approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

    In stage two, planned for early 2027, Asteron Life will become the insurer for all our New Zealand policies (both Resolution Life NZ policies and Asteron Life policies). Asteron Life will become Acenda Life.

  5. What does that mean for me and my clients?

    From 13 July 2026, we’ll write to Resolution Life NZ customers to explain the proposed changes and invite feedback.

    There is no immediate impact to customers. They can expect the same service and benefits they have come to know and trust. We’ll also email you at the same time to help you in answering any questions they may ask you.

    Subject to regulatory approvals, Asteron Life will become the insurer of Resolution Life New Zealand policies in early 2027. At the same time, Asteron Life will become Acenda Life.

    This means information held about policyholders and their policies will transfer to Asteron Life (Acenda Life), with the business assuming responsibility for policy obligations, including payment of eligible benefits.

    These changes are subject to regulatory approvals and we will phase them carefully to minimise disruption to customers and advisers. We will continue to be in touch with you and your clients as we get closer to completing that transfer.

  6. Has the Appointed Actuary reviewed the proposed change?

    Yes. Both an Independent Actuary and the Appointed Actuary for Resolution Life Australasia have reviewed the proposal and confirmed policyholders won’t be disadvantaged by this change.

    This means contractual policy benefits, terms and the security of customers’ cover will not be affected by the change.

  7. Who can provide feedback, and what will be done with it?

    We’re writing to Resolution Life NZ customers and relevant Resolution Life Australia customers to explain the proposed changes and invite feedback. Resolution Life customers whose policies are included in this statutory fund are invited to provide their feedback by no later than 31 August 2026. They can do this through any of the following channels. 

    For Resolution Life NZ customers 

    For Resolution Life Australia customers

    The feedback will be collated and a summary provided to the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) before they make a decision.

    Our contact centre is also ready to take feedback from customers and answer any questions.

  8. What authorities are responsible for approving the change?

    Stage 1 of the process requires approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority.

    Stage 2 requires approval from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and other authorities.

How will this affect my clients?

  1. Will there be any changes to existing policies, premiums, or payment methods?

    No. There are no changes to existing policies or accounts, terms, rights to claim, cover, claims processes, premiums, payment methods, or the banking details used to pay premiums.

    Premiums may still change for the usual policy reasons, such as age-based increases, but these are unrelated to the proposed restructure.

    Customers may notice some changes to the reference details on their bank statements. 

  2. Will existing contact details or processes change for customers or advisers?

    For now, customers and advisers can continue to use the same contact channels and processes.

    We’ll provide further information to both customers and advisers ahead of our transition to Acenda Life and will notify you of any changes to contact details or processes.

  3. Will new underwriting be required for NZ customers with existing policies?

    No. The statutory fund separation and transfer of ownership will not affect your customers’ cover

  4. What about claims that are currently in progress, or new claims?

    Policy terms have not changed, and there are no changes to customers’ rights or processes for making a claim. 

    We will continue to process any claim your clients have with us in the usual way. They can also continue to submit any new claims through our existing processes, and we will continue to process them during the change.

  5. Can Resolution Life (NZ) customers continue to make changes to their existing policies?

    Yes. Resolution Life customers should work with their financial advisers to explore their options or make changes to their existing products.

  6. Will there be any change to adviser commissions in NZ?

    No. There won’t be any change to adviser commissions. We’ll be in touch with advisers as we get closer to the transition to Acenda Life to tell you more.

  7. Who can advisers contact for information and support?

    If you have any questions, please contact your Adviser Support team in New Zealand on 0800 808 267 or resolutionlife.co.nz/contact-us or in Australia on 1800 879 078 or resolutionlife.com.au/contact-us

  8. Who can my clients contact for information and support?

    Your clients can visit our website, call or email us if they would like more information or to provide feedback

    For Resolution Life NZ customers 

    For Resolution Life Australia customers

  9. My client has both Asteron Life and Resolution Life New Zealand policies. How will this change impact them, and me?

    We have customers who hold both Resolution Life New Zealand and Asteron Life policies. We’ll contact those customers to ensure they understand what will happen. This change should simplify their experience, as they will have just one life insurance company to contact.

  10. Will you communicate this change to Asteron Life customers?

    Asteron Life customers and their policies are not impacted by this proposed statutory fund change, so we won’t proactively communicate to them. We will be in touch with them later in the year as we prepare to transition to Acenda Life.

Uniting under one brand – Acenda Life (owned by Nippon Life)

  1. Why are you rebranding to Acenda Life in New Zealand?

    In October 2025, Resolution Life Group, including Resolution Life Australasia, was acquired by Nippon Life Insurance Company.

    New Zealand is an important part of Nippon Life's investment in the region, and as a result we have decided to bring all our businesses together under a single brand across New Zealand and Australia: Acenda Life.

    Aligning under one brand across the region will allow us to best leverage the strength and backing of Nippon Life, create a simpler and more consistent experience for customers, advisers and partners, and support our ambition to invest in and grow our business in New Zealand over the long term.

    From 2027, subject to regulatory approval, Resolution Life New Zealand and Asteron Life will come together as Acenda Life, a New Zealand-based life insurer committed to supporting and protecting New Zealanders for the long term.

    There is no immediate change for customers, advisers or partners. The transition will be carefully phased, and we will keep stakeholders informed as plans progress. 

  2. Do my client’s policies become an Asteron Life policy or an Acenda Life policy?

    Ultimately, your Resolution Life NZ client’s policy will become an Acenda Life policy in 2027. 

    To get there, we first need to bring our New Zealand businesses together as a single life insurance company. Subject to regulatory approval, this means Resolution Life New Zealand policies need to first transfer to Asteron Life. At the same time, we will rebrand Asteron Life to Acenda Life. 

    While this happens in stages for legal and regulatory reasons, the end result is simple: Resolution Life and Asteron Life will come together as Acenda Life in 2027, a single New Zealand-based life insurer. 

    Importantly, throughout this process there will be no change to your policy benefits, terms and conditions, or how you make a claim.

  3. Who is Asteron Life in New Zealand?

    Asteron Life provides life, trauma, income protection, total and permanent disability, and business insurance cover in New Zealand. Its products are mainly sold through financial advisers, as well as through Affinity and group risk channels. 

    Asteron Life was acquired by Resolution Australasia in February 2025 and is ultimately owned by Nippon Life Insurance Company. 

    From 2027, Asteron Life will come together with Resolution Life New Zealand as a single life entity, Acenda Life. This is part of our broader plans to invest in and grow Acenda Life in New Zealand’s, focused on serving customers over the long-term.

  4. Who is Resolution Life Australasia?

    Resolution Life Australasia is one of the largest life insurers in Australia and New Zealand. It is part of the Acenda Group, a group of businesses operating in Australia and New Zealand owned by Nippon Life Insurance Company. Subject to regulatory approval, Resolution Life Australasia and Asteron Life will become Acenda Life in Australia and New Zealand in 2027.

  5. Who is the Acenda Group?

    The Acenda Group was formed in October 2025 following Nippon Life Insurance Company’s global acquisition of Resolution Life Group. It comprises Acenda Life, Resolution Life Australasia (operating in Australia and New Zealand), and Asteron Life in New Zealand. Together, the Group is one of the largest life insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

  6. Who is Nippon Life Insurance Company?

    Nippon Life Insurance Company is one of the world’s leading life insurance companies and the largest private asset owner in Japan. Founded in 1889, it operates life insurance and asset management businesses globally. Since 1947, it has operated as a mutual company, which means profits go to policyholders rather than shareholders.

Important information

The content of this website is for information only, it does not contain any financial advice or other professional advice or make any recommendations about a financial product or service being right for you. The information provided by Resolution Life Australasia Limited ABN 84 079 300 379, NZ Company No. 281363, AFSL No. 233671 (Resolution Life), is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before taking any action, you should always seek financial advice or other professional advice relevant to your objectives, financial situation and needs, as well as consider the policy document for the product. Any guarantee offered in the product is only provided by Resolution Life.

Resolution Life does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of material on this website nor accepts any liability or responsibility for any acts or decisions based on such information.

Resolution Life can be contacted at resolutionlife.co.nz/contact-us or by calling 0800 808 267.