Tower Limited/Announcement
Tower Limited logo

Tower Reports Growth and Efficiency in a Challenging Year

Full Year Results22 November 2023TWRFinancials

23 November 2023
Tower Limited

FY23 Full Year Results for Announcement to Market

In accordance with NZX Listing Rule 3.5.1 we enclose the following for release to the market

in relation to Tower Limited’s (NZX/ASX: TWR) FY23 Full Year Results:


1 Media Release

2 Results Announcement

3 Annual Report (including Financial Statements)

4 Results Announcement Presentation

5 Results Announcement Call Script


Tower’s Chairman Michael Stiassny, Chief Executive Officer Blair Turnbull and Chief Financial

Officer Paul Johnston will discuss the full year results at 10:00am New Zealand time today.

Tower’s Board confirms for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 1.15.3 that Tower continues to

comply with the NZX Main Board Listing Rules.


ENDS


This announcement has been authorised by the Tower Board.


Blair Turnbull

Chief Executive Officer

Tower Limited


For media enquiries, please contact in the first instance:

Emily Davies

Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability

+64 21 815 149

emily.davies@tower.co.nz

Market Information

NZX Limited

Level 1, NZX Centre

11 Cable Street

Wellington

New Zealand

Company Announcements Office

ASX Limited

Exchange Centre

Level 6, 20 Bridge Street

Sydney NSW 2000

Australia

---

Level 5, 136 Fanshawe Street
Auckland 1142, New Zealand

ARBN 645 941 028

Incorporated in New Zealand




23 November 2023


Tower Reports Growth and Efficiency in a Challenging Year


Tower Limited (NZX/ASX: TWR) has today announced its full year results reporting improved

revenue growth and expense control, with profits impacted by catastrophic weather events. For the

year to 30 September 2023, the insurer recorded an underlying profit including large events of

$7.6m versus $27.3m in the 2022 financial year, and a reported loss of $1.2m versus an $18.9m

reported profit in FY22.


Summary of FY23:

• Gross written premium (GWP) $527m, up 17% on FY22

• Customer growth of 4% to 321,000

• Business as usual (BAU) claims ratio 55.5% vs 48.9% in FY22

• Management expense ratio (MER) improved to 32.2% vs 36% in FY22

• Large event costs $55.6m vs $19m in FY22

• Combined operating ratio including large events (COR) 101% vs 90.1% in FY22

• Underlying profit including large events costs $7.6m vs $27.3m in FY22

• Reported loss $1.2m vs $18.9m in FY22, includes strengthening of the residual

Canterbury earthquake and remediation provisions, partially offset by the sale of

Tower’s Papua New Guinea subsidiary and its building in Suva.

• Tower will not pay a full year dividend for FY23.


Tower CEO, Blair Turnbull says, “In the financial year Tower has navigated catastrophic weather

events, widespread inflation and increasing crime. At the same time, we are continuing to grow and

manage expenses while executing on our strategy.”


Large events claims mostly completed

Tower’s focus on efficient claims settlement has seen approximately 84% of claims for the Auckland

and Upper North Island weather event and Cyclone Gabrielle, and 88% of claims for Cyclones Judy

and Kevin in Vanuatu completed as of 20 November.


Targeted growth and efficiency

Strong rating actions combined with organic growth have seen GWP in New Zealand rise 19% year-

on-year.


Sales via Tower’s digital channels continue to strengthen, contributing 65% towards overall GWP

growth in FY23. The My Tower customer-facing digital sales and service platform is now

operational across all Tower markets.

Disciplined cost control and improved efficiencies through increasing scale saw overall MER further

improve to 32.2% versus 36% in FY22 as Tower’s simplification and digitisation strategy is realised.

Investments in digital technology are increasingly enabling Tower to move workflows to its

operational hub in Suva where its team of 250 staff are delivering lower telephony and service

costs.


Increasing inflation and a higher frequency of motor claims have contributed to an increase in the

BAU claims ratio to 55.5% compared to 48.9% in FY22. Tower is continuing to apply targeted rating

and underwriting actions to address these challenges.


Level 5, 136 Fanshawe Street

Auckland 1142, New Zealand

ARBN 645 941 028

Incorporated in New Zealand



Looking forward

The successful renewal of Tower’s reinsurance programme with $750m of catastrophe cover and

the purchase of a prepaid third event cover up to $75m will provide important protection from the

volatility of large events in FY24.


“In the year ahead, Tower will continue its focus on delivering targeted customer and premium

growth while further improving efficiencies and continuing to streamline the business.


“We will also build on our leading risk-based pricing by expanding our model to include landslide

and coastal hazards. 


“While we have certainly faced significant challenges this financial year, our underlying result

demonstrates resilience and strategic delivery which positions Tower well for long-term sustainable

growth and performance,” says Turnbull.


FY24 guidance

Tower’s FY24 full year guidance is for underlying NPAT to be between $22m and $27m. This

assumes full utilisation of a large events allowance which has conservatively been set at $45m.


GWP growth in FY24 is expected to be between 10% and 15% reflecting continued strong rating

actions and organic growth. Digitisation and efficiency initiatives are expected to improve MER to

between 30% and 32%.


Tower is forecasting a combined operating ratio of 95% to 97% in FY24.


Consideration will be given to restarting dividends in FY24 if it is prudent to do so.


ENDS


This announcement has been authorised by Blair Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer, Tower Limited.


For media enquiries, please contact in the first instance:

Emily Davies

Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability

+64 21 815 149

emily.davies@tower.co.nz

---

Template
Results announcement

(for Equity Security issuer/Equity and Debt Security issuer)

Updated as at June 2023


Please do not amend or delete individual rows. As this template relates to prescribed content, changes to content

should only be made where it is clearly indicated that this is permitted, otherwise, if an Issuer considers a particular

element does not apply, mark the row as N/A, Any other changes to this prescribed form must first be approved by

NZX as required under NZX Listing Rule 3.26.1.


Results for announcement to the market

Name of issuer Tower Limited

Reporting Period 12 months to September 2023

Previous Reporting Period 12 months to September 2022

Currency

Amount (000s) Percentage change

Revenue from continuing

operations

$700,990 62%

Total Revenue $725,215 61%

Net profit/(loss) from

continuing operations

$2,352 -87%

Total net profit/(loss) $(1,228) N/A

Interim/Final Dividend

Amount per Quoted Equity

Security

Tower Limited has not proposed to pay any dividends.

Imputed amount per Quoted

Equity Security

Not Applicable.

Record Date Not Applicable.

Dividend Payment Date Not Applicable.

Current period Prior comparable period

Net tangible assets per

Quoted Equity Security

$0.49 $0.55

A brief explanation of any of

the figures above necessary

to enable the figures to be

understood

Revenue from continuing operations includes $205m from

reinsurance and other recoveries as a result of recent

catastrophic weather events, along with $496m of premium

and other income.


Profits were impacted by recent catastrophic weather events,

resulting in a total net loss of $1.2m vs total net profit of $18.9m

in prior comparable period.


Please refer to the 2023 annual results announcement

presentation for further information.

Authority for this announcement
Name of person


authorised

to make this announcement

Tania Pearson, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Contact person for this

announcement

Emily Davies, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability

Contact phone number +64 21 815 149

Contact email address emily.davies@tower.co.nz

Date of release through MAP


23 November 2023


Audited financial statements accompany this announcement.

---

Tower Limited
Annual Report 2023

Sustainable print and paper logo & wording
to insert here for the print version ONLY

Contents
2023 IN REVIEW3

2023 snapshot4

Update from Chair6

Update from CEO8

LOOKING AFTER OUR CUSTOMERS AND COMMUNITIES11

A year of unprecedented large events12

Events snapshot13

Supporting New Zealand’s recovery 14

DELIVERING ON OUR STRATEGY17

Our strategy18

Leading customer experience 20

Operationally efficient and effective28

High performing culture34

Resilient40

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE PERFORMANCE47

MATERIAL IMPACTS52

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 58

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS61

Financial statements62

Notes to the consolidated financial statements67

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT106

APPOINTED ACTUARY’S REPORT111

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AT TOWER113

GRI CONTENT INDEX125

TOWER DIRECTORY130

REGISTRAR131

ANNUAL REPORT 20231 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategyWeather events2023 in review

ANNUAL REPORT 20232Our strategyWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents2023 in review

2023 IN REVIEW
3ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategyWeather events2023 in review

1
Adjusted to exclude Papua New Guinea.

2

Underlying profit includes large events but excludes non-underlying items. A reconciliation to reported loss can be found in the appendix of Tower’s FY23 results presentation via the NZX..

Customer growth vs.

310k in FY22

Underlying GWP

growth

1

$527m vs.

$457m in FY22

Management expense

ratio vs. 36% in FY22

Underlying profit

2


incl. large events vs.

$27.3m in FY22

Reported loss after

taxation vs. $18.9m

profit in FY22

Reduction in

emissions

321

K

17

%

32.2

%

$

7.6

M

-$

1.2

M

23

%

2023 snapshot

4ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategyWeather events2023 in review

*
Band 8 and above.

Senior leaders are

women*

Reported claims across

New Zealand and the

Pacific, including large

events

Canstar’s 5-Star Rating

for Outstanding Value

Home & Contents in

2023

39

%

87.5

K

5

Countries

8

Years in operation

and counting

154

Staff volunteer hours in

our communities

390

5ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategyWeather events2023 in review

In what has proved to be an extremely tough year for
the global insurance industry, Tower withstood the

immediate challenges of 2023 and remains resilient.

In the year to 30 September 2023, Tower’s underlying

profit including large events was $7.6m, down 72% from

$27.3m for the full-year 2022. Loss after taxation was

-$1.2m, versus $18.9m profit at the end of FY22.

On the basis of these results, the Board has decided

against payment of a full year dividend in accordance with

its focus on prudent fiscal management. Consideration

will be given to restarting dividends in FY24.

Unprecedented weather events worldwide have

sheeted home the impact of climate change and

signalled that the risk environment in which insurance

businesses operate has irrevocably changed. Inevitably,

the reinsurance market moved quickly to price

accordingly for what now is likely the new normal.

Risk-based pricing has been Tower’s best protection

to address these issues.

Tower was New Zealand’s first insurer to implement

risk-based pricing for inland flooding in November 2021.

Hazard modelling continues to be expanded to other

climate-related risks, with ratings for landslide and

coastal risks shortly due to be introduced to customers.

Our view remains that risk and pricing transparency

not only supports and encourages informed decision-

making but is fairer to customers and in the best

interests of our shareholders.

Importantly, Tower’s ability to proactively manage risks

throughout its portfolio via risk-based pricing has been

a key factor in securing a comprehensive reinsurance

programme for FY24 at competitive rates. This is crucial

as reinsurance provides protection from volatility caused

by large events, maintains flexibility to enable Tower’s

growth and supports strong solvency.

However, while risk-based pricing successfully

underpins Tower’s competitive pricing, robust

underwriting, continued growth, and response to issues

arising from climate change, it is not a cure-all or silver

bullet for all challenges.

High inflation and the resultant cost of living crisis is a

New Zealand-wide problem, not just a Tower problem,

but the upshot is that insurance is increasingly expensive.

And, while everyone would like to see insurance

affordable and accessible for all, the twin challenges

of an inflationary environment and increasing risks from

climate change make this unrealistic.

The unpalatable truth is that not everyone is – or will be –

able to afford to insure their home in the way they do now.

For Tower to remain a sustainable, resilient business,

we must not only be more selective about the risks we

take on, but also develop cost-effective alternatives to

traditional, comprehensive insurance cover.

In the year ahead, our biggest challenge will be to

continue to innovate at pace to meet the market. Over

time, a range of options are likely to be offered including

parametric cover which has already been successfully

trialled in the Pacific. Customers are also likely to be

offered the opportunity to choose the risks they want –

and can afford – to cover. For example, offering fire only

policies in flood-prone areas.

This approach is already common in many other parts of

the world and, while it will take some getting used to, it

will likely replace comprehensive cover for at least some

New Zealanders.

The New Zealand market enjoys strong insurance

penetration and people will be loath to give up all

protection. So, while affordability is currently presenting

challenges, the desire and need for insurance will not

dissipate. Fortune will favour those insurers who can

pivot and adapt, something that Tower has the digital

capability and proven ability to do.

From Tower’s perspective it is about developing

responsible alternatives to ensure insurance remains

accessible. Quite simply, if New Zealand Inc is unable

or unwilling to reduce risks by improving infrastructure

to protect at-risk land and assets, then these insurance

options become an absolute necessity.

The good news is that Tower is well-placed to tackle

these issues given its digital expertise and experience

in Pacific markets where affordability and low insurance

penetration are significant challenges. Tower has the

technical capability, expertise, and agility to price for

risk on a granular level and quickly get new options to

market as the insurance landscape changes.

Update from the Chair

ANNUAL REPORT 20236Our strategyWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents2023 in review

In an ideal world, Tower would continue offering
affordable, comprehensive cover to all, but in today’s

complex environment, that approach will not support

a sustainable, resilient business. Tower’s continued

resilience will be fostered through innovation and

meeting the market where it is at, not where we would

like it to be.

In closing, the Board acknowledges and thanks

management and the Tower team for the resilience

and determination they have shown in supporting our

business, customers and communities in what has

been a tough year.

Michael Stiassny

Chair

ANNUAL REPORT 20237Our strategyWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents2023 in review

Update from the CEO
At Tower, our purpose is to inspire, shape and

protect the future for the good of our customers and

communities. After a challenging year navigating

the impacts of catastrophic weather events in

New Zealand and across the Pacific, widespread

inflation and increasing crime, our purpose is more

important than ever.

While the business has rightly had a strong focus on

responding rapidly to the weather events and resolving

customers’ claims; we have continued to deliver on our

strategy - to be the best direct insurer in our chosen

markets, enabled through our investments in people,

technology and data. This has positioned Tower well to

grow and deliver sustainable value.

We remain resolutely focused on providing leading

customer experiences, increasing efficiencies across the

business, enhancing our culture and ensuring we remain

financially resilient.

Some key highlights include expanding our leading risk-

based pricing model, developing our parametric solution

in partnership with the United Nations, and reducing our

management expense ratio (MER) while growing our

customer numbers and premiums.

Tower is a resilient business with a strong purpose and

robust strategy, and we are pleased to report on the

progress we have made in FY23.

Business performance

For the year to 30 September 2023, our underlying

profit including large events was $7.6m, down 72% from

$27.3m for the full-year 2022. Loss after taxation was

-$1.2m, versus $18.9m at the end of FY22. The difference

between FY22 and FY23 is largely a result of the

catastrophic events and inflation pressures resulting in

higher claims costs.

Our focus on simple and rewarding customer

experiences combined with consistent rating actions

has contributed to strong growth in both customers and

premium. Underlying gross written premiums (GWP)

increased 17%* year on year, up to $527m.

During the financial year we have grown customer

numbers to 321,000, up 4% on FY22. Our 17% growth

in premium reflects a mix of rating and organic growth,

with 80% of our New Zealand premium growth driven by

decisive rating actions.

Improving efficiencies as our investments in digitisation

continue to drive down Tower’s costs to acquire and

serve customers along with continued focus on cost

control, has seen our overall MER improve again to 32.2%

versus 36% in FY22.

Tower’s solvency margin was reduced during the year,

primarily due to the catastrophic weather events. The

solvency margin is improving as event claims are settled.

As at 30 September 2023, Tower’s New Zealand parent

solvency ratio was 159% and the company was holding

$53.8m above the minimum solvency capital required

by RBNZ.

Navigating catastrophic events

In the financial year to 30 September 2023, three

catastrophic weather events took place in the space of

three months across Aotearoa and the Pacific: significant

weather events in Auckland and the upper North

Island, Cyclone Gabrielle, and Cyclones Judy and Kevin

in Vanuatu.

For 154 years, Tower has been helping people protect

the things they love, and we are committed to helping

our customers and communities get back on their feet,

as quickly as possible.

As at 20 November 2023 we had completed

approximately 84% of claims for the New Zealand

weather events and 88% of claims for the Vanuatu

cyclones. We are working hard to close the remainder.

We continue to work closely with the Government’s

Recovery Taskforce, Auckland Council’s Recovery

Programme, and the wider insurance industry to

support both a cohesive response to these events and

New Zealand’s resilience for the future.

Continuing to enhance risk-based pricing

Tower has long urged New Zealand to stop building in

risky areas. In November 2021 we were New Zealand’s

first insurer to launch a leading inland flooding risk-

based tool in conjunction with RMS, a global leader in

risk modelling. The flood tool leverages five million data

points and 50,000 years of continuous simulation of

the entire precipitation cycle. We share earthquake and

flood risk profiles with customers through My Tower.

We also shared data insights with central and local

government with an aim to better inform and protect and

customers and communities today, and in the future.

*

Adjusted to exclude Papua New Guinea.

ANNUAL REPORT 20238Our strategyWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents2023 in review

Risk-based pricing supports competitive pricing and
robust underwriting, and can inform action on issues

arising from our changing climate. Earlier this year, we

expanded our risk tool to include landslide and coastal

risks. In FY24 we will launch customer-facing ratings

for these risks, and we will continue to develop fair,

transparent and competitive products that meet the

needs of our customers today and in the future.

Customer experience

Tower continues to innovate and invest significantly in

digital and data capabilities to deliver our direct customer

experience, driving deeper customer engagement and

growth. In FY23, we completed the rollout of our flagship,

digital self-service platform, My Tower, across our

Pacific operations. We are now bringing the same digital

customer experience to all markets where we operate.

We’re also proud to have launched our parametric Cyclone

Response Cover pilot in Tonga, following a successful trial

in Fiji during the 2022/2023 cyclone season.

Streamlining our operations

We made positive progress in streamlining our business

in FY23, with the sale of our Papua New Guinea

subsidiary and the announcement of the sale of our

Solomon Islands business.

We also continued to develop our Suva hub this year.

With our core platform live across all territories we

operate in, we can now seamlessly flex resource up

and down across Fiji and New Zealand – our two

biggest markets.

Sustainability is at the heart of our business

FY23 marks the second year of our sustainability

reporting, with the aim of being more transparent about

the impacts of our business activities. We have continued

important initiatives to manage our most material

sustainability impacts and we’ve remained focused on

reducing our operational emissions. Our efforts this year

have helped reduce emissions by 23% compared to

FY22. We are on track to meet our five-year emissions

reduction target of 21% in 2025.

We continue to work towards B Corp accreditation and

are aiming to achieve this in the coming year. We look

forward to making our first Climate-related Financial

Disclosure in 2024.

Our people

I would like to thank our people who have worked

incredibly hard to support our customers and

communities – particularly those who were impacted

by the weather events.

We’re grateful to everyone, including those who pivoted

in their roles to rapidly respond and help support those

who needed it most when the catastrophic weather

events were unfolding. We’re extremely proud of the

empathy, selflessness and strong commitment to

helping others that our people have shown.

Our ability to scale up our support to the most impacted

areas is not only a reflection of our people’s willingness,

but further reinforces our ‘one team’ culture that

operates across New Zealand and our Pacific markets.

In keeping with our strategy, we’re pleased to have

announced some significant initiatives this year aimed at

empowering our people to give our customers their best.

Summary

We acknowledge how incredibly challenging this year

has been for our customers, our communities, our

industry and our business.

Our Tower strategy is very clear; we want to be the best

direct insurer in our selected markets. We are ruthlessly

driven to achieve this through a simple and rewarding

customer experience, enabled through digital, data and

our culture.

We are focused on delivering solid underlying operating

performance through robust risk management and

continued rating actions to mitigate inflation, the effects

of motor crime and weather events.

We also continue to focus on targeted customer and

premium growth while enhancing our margins through

efficiency and organisational improvements.

Tower is committed to mitigating the volatility caused by

large events through risk-based pricing and our robust

reinsurance arrangements. And while we manage the

effects of the changing climate now, we will continue to

invest in future business resilience and sustainability.

Ultimately, this leads to attractive and sustainable

earnings and dividends for shareholders over the

medium to longer term.

Blair Turnbull,

CEO

ANNUAL REPORT 20239Our strategyWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents2023 in review

A community hub in Auckland, following January 27 weather event
10ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategy2023 in reviewWeather events

LOOKING AFTER
OUR CUSTOMERS

AND COMMUNITIES

ANNUAL REPORT 202311 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategy2023 in reviewWeather events

A year of unprecedented large events
JAN 23

Auckland and upper

North Island weather event

5,688 claims

$174m

MAR 23

Vanuatu cyclones

295 claims

$11m

FEB 23

Cyclone Gabrielle

3,636 claims

$52m

MAY 23

Auckland rain event

438 claims

$4m

Event costs are gross estimates as at 30 September 2023.

Net large event claims

expense for Tower in

FY23, after reinsurance

$

38

M

ANNUAL REPORT 202312ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsWeather events

Events snapshot
*

As at 20 November 2023.

Auckland and upper North Island weather event and Cyclone Gabrielle

Years’ worth of large

loss house claims in

just over a fortnight

5

Motor claims

1,045

Texts sent within two

hours of January 27

weather event beginning

317

K

Event claims settled*

84

%

Emails with claims, safety

and cleanup advice sent

to customers in the month

following events

975

K

Families supported

with temporary

accommodation costs

367

House claims

5,711

Contents claims

2,330

Attended all six community

hubs immediately after

events in Hawke’s Bay

and Auckland

6

In food spoilage claims

paid to customers in the

aftermath of both events

$

200

K

ANNUAL REPORT 202313 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityOur strategy2023 in reviewWeather events

Supporting New Zealand’s recovery
This financial year Aotearoa

faced two catastrophic events,

the Auckland and the upper

North Island weather event and

Cyclone Gabrielle.

The scale of these weather events

was unprecedented for both our

country and industry. Tower is

committed to helping our customers

and communities get back on their

feet, as quickly as possible.

Tower’s rapid response

The speed of our initial response on January 27 meant

customers in impacted areas were sent texts within

hours of the event beginning, with advice on how to

claim. Our Chief Claims Officer activated Tower’s event

response team that night and by morning, additional

resource was on the way to help with the high volume

of claims. This included flying assessors into Auckland

from around New Zealand.

Our large event motor claims process was triggered

immediately, and two hours after the event began our

towing network was transporting customers’ vehicles

to a central assessment yard. This meant we were able

to start settling motor claims for our customers within

one business day.

A couple of weeks later, we followed this model

for customers impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle too.

Our teams were on the ground within a day of each

event, assisting customers at community hubs in

Auckland and Hawke’s Bay. We scaled up, using our

suppliers, hiring additional staff and redeploying our

people in Fiji and Rotorua to our phone lines and

online claims lodgement.

Flooding in Auckland during the January 27 weather event

ANNUAL REPORT 202314Our strategy2023 in reviewSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsWeather events

There for our customers
The volume of claims and the range of external parties

required to resolve claims related to these events

presented challenges for everyone. We know the time

it has taken to resolve some claims and contact Tower

at times has been frustrating for people.

With every event, we take the opportunity to learn

and improve so we can provide a better service for our

customers. This year we have made improvements to

our claims processes, to ensure that our customers

receive timely communications and action from us,

throughout the entire claims journey.

By 20 November, Tower had settled 84% of claims

from the Auckland and Upper North Island event and

Cyclone Gabrielle.

A few weeks after Cyclone Gabrielle, Cyclones Judy

and Kevin made landfall in Vanuatu. These events were

devastating for the people of Vanuatu and we are proud

of the support we provided our Vanuatu customers.

As at 20 November, Tower had settled 88% of claims for

these events.

These events are a reminder of the role insurance

plays in our economic resilience. We continue to look

for ways to improve how we help our customers and

communities recover after large events.

* As at 20 November 2023.

Tower’s central motor assessment yard following

January 27 weather event

Tower staff at an Auckland community hub following January 27 weather event

Auckland & upper

North Island event

claims settled*

83

%

Cyclone Gabrielle event

claims settled*

84

%

ANNUAL REPORT 202315Our strategy2023 in reviewSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsWeather events

ANNUAL REPORT 2023162023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

DELIVERING ON
OUR STRATEGY

ANNUAL REPORT 202317 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Our strategy
Our strategic pillars

To be the best direct insurer in our selected markets

differentiated through digital and data, fairness and

transparency, and by caring for our customers in

everything we do.

LEADING

CUSTOMER

EXPERIENCE

Simple and

rewarding

customer

experiences

across the life

cycle.

HIGH

PERFORMING

CULTURE

An inclusive,

diverse and risk

aware culture.

Empower

our people to

achieve great

things.

OPERATIONALLY

EFFICIENT &

EFFECTIVE

Digitise and

automate core

processes

and leverage

geographical

footprint.

RESILIENT

Manage volatility

and deliver

sustainable

outcomes for all

stakeholders.

Our values

WE DO WHAT’S RIGHT

OUR PEOPLE COME FIRST

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE OUR COMPASS

PROGRESS BOLDLY

18ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Our purpose
To inspire, shape and protect the future for the

good of our customers and communities.

Our vision

Ta tātou kaupapa

To deliver beautifully simple

and rewarding experiences

that our people and our

customers rave about.

ANNUAL REPORT 202319 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Leading
customer

experience

ANNUAL REPORT 2023202023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Innovating for our customers
In line with our strategy to create

leading customer experiences, Tower

continued to develop our innovative

products and digital offerings over

the financial year. These efforts have

contributed to record growth in GWP.

My Tower

In FY23, our flagship, digital self-service platform,

My Tower continued to enhance the insurance

experience for our customers, allowing them to

purchase insurance, update and keep track of policies

and view their property’s risk profile for flooding and

earthquakes. All this, via one simple online platform.

In New Zealand, My Tower assisted our customers to

lodge and check the progress of their claims online.

This financial year, we completed the rollout of My

Tower across our Pacific operations - the first platform

in the Pacific that allows people to get a quote and

purchase insurance online. It’s a remarkable step-

forward in our plan to increase insurance accessibility

in the Pacific, where roughly 10% of homes have

insurance, compared to 90% in New Zealand.

1

Legacy partnership portfolios have been transferred from the Partnerships business unit to Tower Direct after purchase.

2

Excluding Papua New Guinea which was sold in FY23.

Customers now

registered for

My Tower

264

K

Tower Direct GWP

1


up 22% from FY22

$

391

M

Pacific GWP

2

up 4% from FY22

$

53

M

Partnerships GWP

up 26% from FY22

$

82

M

ANNUAL REPORT 2023212023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Forward thinking products for modern
customers

Our focus on innovation and investment in large-

scale digital transformation over the last four years

continues to enable Tower to evolve rapidly, in

line with the latest in technology and customer

expectations. The result is customer-focused,

digital-first insurance solutions that allow us to

create products to suit the modern lifestyles of

our customers.

In FY23, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of

Contract Works – Renovation Cover, ensuring we are

there to support our customers as they renovate their

homes. It’s the newest addition to our personal lines

offering, which includes products for motor, contents,

boat, travel, pet and landlords, as well as insurance for

renters, lifestyle block, EVs, e-scooters and e-bikes.

NZ direct sales

online vs. 66%

in FY22

77

%

Increase in Tower

Direct online

quotes vs. FY22

18

%

Customers hold

multiple policies

with us

50

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023222023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Partnering for success
Our partners continued to drive more customers to

Tower in FY23, with an uptick in referrals and subsequent

growth through the New Zealand Financial Services

Group, Kiwi Adviser Network, Allianz Partners, Ray White,

Coastguard, TSB, Aon Fiji and the Fiji Development Bank,

among others.

New partnerships with New Zealand Home Loans, MTF

Finance and Squirrel Mortgages, also helped to support

our customers and business growth.

Wherever possible we also partner to deliver products

in better ways and to do existing tasks more efficiently.

In the year, work continued with the likes of Risk

Management Solutions, Redbook, FRISS and Sentro to

enhance our different business processes.

Active advisers

up 67% from FY22

2,500

Increase in new risks

sold from referral

partners vs. FY22

35

%

GOLD AWARD:

Outbound Business to

Business Calling

SILVER AWARD:

Outbound Business to

Consumer – Sales

ANNUAL REPORT 202323 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Sustainable and innovative growth
Parametric insurance

now available in two

countries, Fiji and Tonga

2

Parametric policies

in place for the FY24

cyclone season

600

Growth is key to our strategy

but in order to be there for our

customers and deliver good returns

for shareholders long-term, this

growth must be sustainable. We are

focused on growth in the right areas,

with the right risks.

Parametric insurance for the Pacific

In August 2023, Tower launched its parametric Cyclone

Response Cover pilot in Tonga. Cyclone Response

Cover was first trialled in Fiji for the 2022/2023 cyclone

season in collaboration with the United Nations Capital

Development Fund, under its flagship Pacific Insurance

and Climate Adaptation Programme. Following the pilot’s

success, Cyclone Response Cover is now available to

all Fijians.

Under Tonga’s Cyclone Response Cover trial, the product

is available to Tonga Development Bank customers and

Pacific Disability Forum members for the 2023/2024

cyclone season. Following this, our goal is to launch the

product to the wider Tongan market.

Cyclone Response Cover provides a rapid cash pay-out

to customers based on proximity to a high wind speed

cyclone event, regardless of damage and without the

need for an insurance assessor’s signoff. Parametric

insurance products are a lower-cost alternative that

provide a level of cover for communities that may not

benefit from traditional insurance.

Cyclone Response Cover will help increase insurance

accessibility, particularly as climate change impacts

increase over time. In the coming years Tower plans

to expand parametric insurance into more of our

Pacific territories.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023242023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Risk-based pricing, a fair way to price insurance
With our award-winning and market-leading approach

to earthquake and flood risk-based pricing, we’re

proud to share information with customers about their

properties, empowering them to better understand their

insurance needs and premiums.

We believe risk-based pricing is a fairer way to price

insurance as customers only pay for the risks that apply

to their properties. Launched in 2021, the response to

our risk tool has been positive. Since then, we’ve tested

our model against the impacts of actual flood events and

these have matched closely every time. This continues

to give us confidence in the accuracy of our pricing

and underwriting.

Following accurate modelling of this year’s large events,

we used our risk-based pricing model to implement

three key changes to ensure we price fairly, grow

sustainably and further protect the business from the

volatility of weather events:

1. Increased the weighting of the flood-risk portion of

our premiums to better reflect changing risk profiles.

2. Implemented new risk selection criteria for

landslide risks, immediately following the January

2023 weather event.

3. Added automated risk-selection for sea surge

for new business and underwriting risk reviews for

existing customers.

In FY24, Tower will fully automate underwriting for

landslide and sea surge risks, and these will be added to

the customer view in My Tower alongside a transparent

premium breakdown.

*

Independent research conducted by the Octopus Group in April 2023, with a sample size of 1,000 representative of New Zealand’s population.

Kiwis think risk-based

pricing is a fair way to

price insurance*

87

%

Kiwis agree that landslip risk

should be factored in when

assessing a property’s risks*

79

%

Kiwis agree that storm surge

risk should be factored in when

assessing a property’s risks*

72

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023252023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Fair and transparent insurance
At Tower, fairness and transparency

are a core part of our customer

experience. We aim to make insurance

simple and easy so that our customers

understand their insurance and have

the right cover in place to suit their

needs. Most importantly and in line

with our values, we do what’s right.

Committed to supporting our customers

A new Financial Advice Provider (FAP) regime was

introduced to the industry in FY23. Tower is committed

to understanding and supporting the needs of our

customers so we applied for and were issued a full FAP

Licence. Tower supports the intent of the regime – which

is to make good financial advice accessible to Kiwis.

Tower team members

trained to provide

financial advice to Kiwis

194

Inbound calls answered by

our trained representatives

since the regime went live

in March 2023

175

K

26ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Putting things right for our customers
Tower is focused on putting things right for customers

who have received incorrect discounts or benefits.

We sincerely apologise to those who have been

affected by these errors.

The most significant part of our remediation

programme in FY23 has been refunding customers

who have not received correct multi policy

discounts. We have made substantial progress

with $6.2m excluding GST paid to these customers

as of 31 October 2023. Tower has provisioned

$11.2m for this customer remediation which allows

for amounts to be paid to around 65,000 customers

and potential regulatory action. After we identified

the issue, we proactively advised the Financial

Markets Authority (FMA) and we have been assisting

FMA with its investigation in relation to the overcharge.

Other remediations we have in progress are for

premium overcharges in connection with the

application of promotions and policy discounts.

We have provisioned around $500K for these.

We are working to identify all impacted customers

so we can refund any overpayments.

As well as reviewing our processes, we are also

redesigning and simplifying our multi-policy offering

and expect to share more about this change in FY24.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023272023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Operationally
efficient and

effective

ANNUAL REPORT 2023282023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Our digital and data capabilities
As a forward thinking insurer, the

customer and efficiency benefits

from our digital platform continue

to be realised.

Our digital platform is driving down the costs to

acquire new business and serve as Kiwi and Pacific

communities increasingly adopt our online sales

and service channels.

Customers are also seeing the benefits as

evidenced by our New Zealand online net promoter

score. For our business, our core platform agility has

enabled rapid deployment of technology releases,

which take us just 25 minutes a day.

Service tasks and transactions

completed digitally in NZ vs.

50% in FY22

55

%

Combined NZ net

promoter score for

online experiences

55

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023292023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Our vision for the future of claims
Tower’s vision for the future is of a digitised end-to-

end customer experience, where our customers can

manage every aspect of their claim via My Tower,

supported by automated internal systems and supplier

networks. We’re on a journey to achieve this by FY26

with the goal of improving transparency for customers,

reducing operating costs, increasing efficiency and

productivity, and continuing to deliver good, simple

customer experiences.

In FY23, thanks to our new Repair Partner Network’s

straight-through-repair model for simple repairs,

we removed the need for 40% of our customers to

wait for an insurance assessment. Similarly, 40% of

our My Tower motor claims are now lodged through

claims automation.

Claims from the Auckland and

upper North Island weather

event and Cyclone Gabrielle

were lodged online

69

%

Claims now lodged online

in NZ vs. 49% in FY22

59

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023302023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Simplifying our business to deliver
sustainable growth and efficiencies

Over the last four years Tower

has invested heavily in digitisation

to increase scale and simplify our

business. In FY23, this investment

led to a further reduction in our

management expense ratio (MER)

and improvements in our customer

experience.

One core platform

With our core personal lines platform now live across

all countries, we have simplified our organisational

alignment around our three customer journeys: new

business, service and claims – rather than across

geographical locations. This is aimed at delivering

consistent and repeatable processes across our

business, simultaneously reducing complexity,

duplication and risk.

Streamlining our operations

In FY23, Tower completed the sale of our Papua New

Guinea subsidiary and announced the sale of our

Solomon Islands business, which we expect to complete

in the first half of FY24. These sales allow Tower to focus

on developing and delivering our personal lines and

small-medium enterprise customer experience in the

Pacific. Growth in our Pacific business will be enabled

through Tower’s digital and data offering, while we

streamline our operations and tighten our risk appetite.

MER down from 36%

in FY22

32.2

%

New Pacific business

purchased via new platform

up from 45% in FY22

81

%

ANNUAL REPORT 202331 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

The cornerstone of our Pacific operation
With our core platform and

My Tower now live across the entire

Tower Group, our Suva Hub began to

realise its full potential this financial

year, delivering significant value and

organisational efficiencies.

Supporting our large event response

Following the Auckland and upper North Island weather

event and Cyclone Gabrielle escalating claims volumes

impacted our customer wait times. Our Suva team was

able to support via our phonelines, email communications

and online claims lodgment processes. Online support

for our New Zealand customers via Suva was a milestone

moment for Tower - with our core platform, we’re not

only operating as one team we’re operating on the same,

innovative, digital system too, regardless of location.

Our strategic advantage

Tower has operated in the Pacific Islands for almost

150 years. As the cornerstone of our Pacific operation,

Fiji represents a differentiator and strategic advantage

for Tower.

Our two biggest markets, New Zealand and Fiji, sit

in the same time zone, or within an hour’s difference

during daylight saving months. Because we’ve

expanded our operations in Fiji to include all core

business functions our BAU operations can now

operate seamlessly across both countries, as well

as the wider Tower group.

Instead of outsourcing, we are investing in local

economies which offers great strategic value to

Tower. This value goes hand-in-hand with the

expansion of our Suva team, which has grown from

62 FTE in FY21 to 88 in FY22 and now 233 in FY23.

Staff attrition in the Pacific is lower than in

New Zealand, where the labour market is tight

compared to Fiji. Fiji’s cultural similarities means

our access to talent in-country presents a unique

opportunity to provide a better experience for all

Tower customers, while bolstering resilience and

reducing MER.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023322023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Future growth enabled
To support this growth, at the beginning of FY24, our

Suva team will move into a new, larger office, marking

the next chapter in our Suva Hub journey.

New Zealand Fiji Business Council breakfast with Fiji

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka

ANNUAL REPORT 2023332023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

High
performing

culture

ANNUAL REPORT 2023342023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Our culture
Our people are at the heart of

everything we do. We know that

by looking after our teams, we

empower them to show up in the

best way possible for our customers.

Employee engagement

score*

7.8

Emerging Talent programme

employees progressed in their

careers at Tower in FY23

81

%

Employees are non-European,

based on the 96% of staff

who chose to disclose their

ethnicity in FY23

59

%

Diverse and inclusive

At Tower, our values are; ‘we do what’s right’, ‘our

customers are our compass’, ‘progress, boldy’ and ‘our

people come first’. We truly live by these values and our

staff engagement surveys, run in March and September

each year, reflect this.

We’re particularly proud of our diversity and inclusion

score and contributors, which are consistently high. In our

latest survey, our overall ‘diversity and inclusion’ score was

8.6, with contributors like ‘freedom of opinion’ and ‘feeling

valued’ scoring at 8.1. This is important to us because for

our people to feel comfortable to express their opinions

at work, there needs to be a high level of trust across

the entire Tower group. When people feel valued and

respect each other’s individual differences, this creates an

environment for people to thrive and collaborate freely.

We know that this is crucial for a business to flourish, stay

competitive and remain ahead of the curve.

*

As at 22 September 2023, based on Tower’s latest staff engagement survey.

Employees earn a living

wage in NZ or a living wage

equivalent in the Pacific

100

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023352023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Committed to our people
36ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Employees rated Tower’s
commitment to health and

wellbeing at 8.3, in the top 25%

of the global finance sector*

8.3

Putting our people first

New benefits launched this year include gender

affirmation leave and increased paid parental leave.

These are in addition to our existing benefits such as

our refreshed volunteer leave framework, birthday leave,

domestic violence leave, the ability to purchase up to

eight extra days leave, flexible working, free financial

wellbeing seminars, discounts for group insurances

and with a range of suppliers across New Zealand and

the Pacific.

To make it easier to access these benefits in FY23, we

launched the Tower Beam app, which consolidates all

our staff discounts into one easy platform for our people

to take advantage of, no matter where they are.

Enhanced wellbeing

Our people’s wellbeing was top of mind during our

response to weather events this year. In addition to hiring

more people to handle the sharp increase in workloads

we delivered 15 sessions on managing stress through

compassion, connection and mindfulness to more than

200 staff. This included a tailored session for our event

response team.

Changing sick leave to wellbeing leave in FY22 has

also helped enhance our teams’ wellbeing in FY23,

while opening up broader conversations about mental

health and managing stress. Wellbeing leave replaces

sick leave and can also be used for rest or activities that

proactively manage personal wellbeing.

As an insurer, our work environment is unique. Spread

across eight countries, from offices to assessing

damages out in our communities - we’re proud that

in FY23, we reported zero workplace injuries and

zero harm.

*

As at 22 September 2023, based on Tower’s latest staff engagement survey.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023372023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Tower leaders named on Insurance Business
New Zealand’s Elite Women List; Head of

Pricing, Amy You; Head of Corporate Affairs and

Sustainability, Emily Davies; and Head of Platform

Delivery, Johannah Benton

3

Leadership gender pay gap

Comparing our senior leadership population and

the average pay gap between men and women, our

leadership pay gap is 2.7% (men are paid 2.7% more

than women).

2.7

%

Gender pay equity gap

When we compare like-for-like roles for women and

men at Tower in New Zealand, our pay equity gap is

–0.2% (women are paid 0.2% more than men for the

same role).

-0.2

%

Gender pay gap, improved by 5.7% vs. FY22

When we take the total salary for all women and

divide that by the number of women, and the total

salary of all men and divide that by the number of

men, we have a gap of 20.2%.

For the most part, this is because we have a larger

proportion of women in some of our New Zealand

frontline roles, and a greater proportion of men in

senior roles.

20.2

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023382023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Looking after our people
at work and at home

In FY23 Tower increased parental

leave entitlements from 12 to 16

weeks paid leave for primary carers

and, two to four paid weeks leave

for partners.

An especially exciting development was the rollout of

these same benefits across our Pacific operations. This

was part of a wider project to align staff benefits across

the Tower group. Parental leave legislation varies greatly

in the Pacific compared to New Zealand, options are

limited and in some countries even unpaid leave for

partners is not required by law.

Now, our teams in the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands,

Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and American Samoa

enjoy the same updated benefits as our teams in

New Zealand, including parental leave – typically above

and beyond what is available in each country.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023392023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Resilient
ANNUAL REPORT 2023402023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Here to do good, for good
2023 was challenging for the

local and global insurance industry.

Our ability to stay agile, driven by

digital and data capabilities, backed

by robust reinsurance, allows us to

remain financially resilient and adapt

to market challenges.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023412023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Protecting Tower and our customers with
real-time, automated underwriting

In FY23, we continued automating our underwriting

processes underpinned by our risk-based pricing model

and digital agility. In New Zealand, for the second year

running, nearly 100% of our existing house customers’

sums insured were updated automatically, mainly using

data from the Cordell calculator. This helps customers

choose a suitable level of cover.

This financial year, Tower proactively managed

inflationary pressures through targeted rating and

underwriting actions. Monthly rating changes allowed

us to mitigate reinsurance and weather-related cost

increases as well as keep pace with inflation. Similarly,

with increased motor crime, Tower identified vehicles

subject to higher rates of theft and made appropriate

changes to rates and excess charges.

Our ability to take swift and decisive action to address

emerging issues on a granular level is at the heart of

the digital transformation Tower has undergone in

recent years. It’s this flexibility and agility that helps us

to successfully mitigate external challenges beyond

our control and remain resilient.

NZ risks are now sold

without requiring a manual

underwriting review and

pricing adjustments

94

%

Pricing and underwriting

adjustments made

across FY23

100

+

ANNUAL REPORT 2023422023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Robust reinsurance
In May, following large weather events and aligned

with our comprehensive approach to reinsurance,

Tower placed additional reinsurance reinstatement

cover for the remainder of FY23. The purchase of

additional cover ensured protection remained in place

for additional events up to a limit of $889m.

Reinsurers are attracted to our robust underwriting

and risk-based pricing approach and Tower is pleased

to receive ongoing support from some of the world’s

largest reinsurers as well as backing from reinsurers

looking to start new relationships with us.

In a challenging reinsurance market following significant

global weather events, Tower was pleased to secure

a comprehensive FY24 reinsurance programme, at

competitive rates for home, motor, boat and commercial

portfolio cover, across New Zealand and the Pacific.

Last year’s Toka Tū Ake EQC cap increase from

$150,000 to $300,000 reduced the amount of

catastrophe coverage needed.

To support our prudent risk appetite, Tower purchased

cover for two catastrophe losses up to $750m. Cover

is inclusive of an automatic reinstatement. Tower also

purchased cover for a third catastrophe event up

to $75m.

This cover, combined with Tower’s existing multi-year

placements, results in a reinsurance excess increase to

$16.9m for the first two events in FY24, up from $11.9m

in FY23. An excess of $20m applies for a third event.

The market experienced significant increases in

reinsurance prices and excesses throughout FY23 so

we were very pleased to achieve moderate pricing and

excess increases for FY24.

Cover in place for first

two catastrophe losses

in FY24

$

750

M

Cover in place for a third

event in FY24

$

75

M

ANNUAL REPORT 2023432023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

Protecting the everyday
As an insurer it’s our job to be there

when the worst happens. Large

events in New Zealand and the

Pacific this year have brought this

role to the fore for our communities.

But we’re also here to help when

everyday things go wrong, reporting

76,597 everyday claims in FY23.

From holidays to vehicles and

homes, we helped protect more of

the things our customers love this

year too.

4

K

Rugby ball related claims in

NZ, mostly for kids kicking

rugby balls into TVs

14

Increase in travel

policies sold

67

%

Claims for wedding and

engagement rings in NZ

405

Claims for Pacific homes

319

Boat claims happened out on

the water in NZ

31

%

Pacific motor claims

1,600

Boat claims caused by

mishaps at boat ramps

around NZ

63

Travel insurance policies

for trips to Australia, our

most popular destination

44ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsSustainabilityWeather events2023 in reviewOur strategy

Claims for Kiwi homes
12.7

K

Claims for hot water

cylinders

530

Increase in NZ motor

theft claims

26

%

Growth in electric

vehicles (EVs) covered

60

%

ANNUAL REPORT 2023452023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsOur strategy

46ANNUAL REPORT 2023 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsOur strategyWeather events2023 in reviewSustainability

ENVIRONMENTAL,
SOCIAL AND

GOVERNANCE

PERFORMANCE

ANNUAL REPORT 202347 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsOur strategyWeather events2023 in reviewSustainability

Sustainability at
the heart of what

we do

Our sustainability strategy

guides how we manage relevant

environmental, social and

governance issues and provides a

framework for managing our most

material impacts. It was developed

to enable us to deliver on our

company purpose:

“To inspire, shape

and protect the future

for our customers

and communities.”

Providing no-

surprises, easy

to understand

insurance that is

accessible and

affordable.

Championing informed

dialogue about climate

change and pursuing win-

win outcomes that tackle

sustainability issues.

Moving all aspects of our

business towards zero-

carbon and zero waste,

and ensuring we have

a positive impact on

Aotearoa and the Pacific,

now and in the future.

A diverse and

inclusive workplace

that builds

people’s physical

and emotional

wellbeing.

ANNUAL REPORT 202348Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

ESG Governance
Tower’s Board provides the highest level of ESG

governance at Tower. The Board approves and

monitors our ESG governance and reporting, with

performance monitored through periodic updates

from management. ESG governance is formalised

through an executive level steering committee which

has responsibility for overseeing progress on our

initiatives and monitors environmental and social risks.

Our ESG performance is coordinated by the Head of

Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, reporting to the

CEO. As we progress our response to Climate-related

Financial Disclosures and our B Corp aspirations, the

Board and management will continue their focus on

ESG governance and climate risks and opportunities,

by developing new policies and continuing to enhance

our governance framework in FY24.

This annual report is Tower’s second step into

sustainability reporting with the aim of being more

transparent about our broader business activities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with

the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2021 standards.

ANNUAL REPORT 202349 ContentsGRI content index Corporate governanceConsolidated financial statementsOur strategyWeather events2023 in reviewSustainability

Reducing our emissions
Tower has set a science-based reduction target

of 21% over five years from our 2020 base year

(551 tCo

2

e). Our carbon footprint is calculated in

accordance with the requirements of the Greenhouse

Gas Protocol and ISO 14064-1:2018.

Our actions to curb emissions in FY23 following

a post-Covid spike in FY22 has resulted in a 23%

reduction over the year to 477 TCo

2

e. This year’s

progress sees us on track to achieving our current

FY25 target with calculated emissions now 13% below

our FY20 baseline year.

Emissions reductions in the year have largely

been achieved through progressively replacing our

New Zealand and Pacific fleet with hybrid vehicles

and changing driving behaviours in both regions. All

our New Zealand fleet vehicles are now hybrids and

we will continue to transition the remainder of our

Pacific vehicle fleet in FY24.

Virtual meetings technology has now been fully

embraced in our Pacific operations and we are

increasingly conducting claims assessments virtually

in New Zealand, reducing the need to travel.

Emissions from powering our premises are now 25%

below our baseline year, largely due to the move

to our Six Green Star Rated premises in Auckland.

An increase in stationery energy emissions of 18% in

FY23 is predominantly due to the inclusion of additional

data sources. This was partially offset by emissions

reductions from New Zealand’s continued transition

to renewable energy and the sale of our Papua

New Guinea subsidiary.

Our preparation for Climate-related Financial

Disclosures includes expanding our measurement

and reporting of Scope 3 emissions. As more data is

captured over time, we expect the inclusion of previously

unreported Scope 3 emissions including from our

underwriting portfolios and supply chain to increase

Tower’s total carbon emissions profile. As part of this

work we will review our emissions targets in FY24.

Tower has elected not to offset our FY23 emissions

as our preferred approach is to invest in initiatives that

reduce gross emissions as much as possible such as

transitioning our fleet and investigating renewable

energy sources for our Pacific premises.

SCOPEFY20 (TCO

2

E)FY21 (TCO

2

E)FY22 (TCO

2

E)FY23 (TCO

2

E)

SCOPE 1169115300165

SCOPE 2180165126135

SCOPE 320298191177

ANNUAL REPORT 202350Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

Identifying material impacts
In 2021, we identified a range of topics and impacts

through research and engagement, which included

interviewing a range of stakeholder representatives

and relevant experts. We spoke to our Board,

shareholders and partners, representatives from the

wider insurance industry and financial markets, as well

as experts in sustainable finance and climate change.

We undertook employee workshops involving senior

management and a diverse range of people and

roles from across the business. In 2022, we assessed

and prioritised the full range of Tower’s sustainability

impacts using the GRI 3: 2021 methodology.

Members of our executive steering committee

reviewed our material impacts in 2023 and validated

that our 12 material topics largely remain consistent

with the FY22 assessment. Increases in significance

were identified for three topics: climate change

increased, due to the increasing frequency and

severity of extreme weather; affordable and accessible

insurance was rated higher, reflecting the current cost

of living challenges in New Zealand and the Pacific; and

product development also increased in importance due

to the potential for product innovations like parametric

insurance to bring positive benefits to Pacific people.

Our impacts are detailed in the table on pages 52-57

along with relevant impacts identified and addressed

both in the table and throughout this report. The

impacts reflect Tower’s business operations in both

New Zealand and the Pacific Islands and have been

reviewed and approved by our leadership.

Climate-related Financial Disclosures

In FY23 Tower made positive progress towards

addressing our climate change risks and opportunities

with our first mandatory Climate-related Financial

Disclosure required for the FY24 reporting year. Due

to internal resources being diverted to managing

this year’s catastrophic events, we have elected not

to make an early voluntary disclosure for FY23 as

originally intended.

In the year, Tower adapted the New Zealand insurance

industry climate change scenarios for Tower’s strategy

and business model in New Zealand and the Pacific

Islands. Tower’s climate change scenarios explore three

possible and plausible futures over a timeframe out to

2050. These scenarios have allowed us to develop a

comprehensive set of climate change risks (including

both physical and transition risks) and opportunities

which will ultimately enable us to model the potential

future financial impacts of climate change and further

develop our strategic responses.

B Corp

As we’ve indicated previously, Tower would like to

achieve B Corp accreditation in the coming year.

B Corp measures a company’s entire social and

environmental impact. Attaining this certification would

confirm that Tower is demonstrating high verified

standards of social and environmental performance,

public transparency, and accountability as we progress

towards our sustainability goals.

ANNUAL REPORT 202351Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Diverse and

Inclusive to

the core

Diversity and inclusion

We recognise that a lack of diversity excludes

minority groups which limits diverse thinking

and impacts mental health and emotional

wellbeing.

Diversity is also an important part of customer

innovation. We are committed to having a

diverse and inclusive workplace that builds

people’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Investing in a positive business culture that

prioritises the personal growth of our people

impacts our attractiveness as an employer

and retention of talented employees.

• We have policies and processes in

place to ensure equal opportunities

for roles at Tower

• Our recruitment policy incorporates

cultural considerations for conducting

interviews and outlines a process

to ensure all interview panels are

balanced culturally and by gender

• We offer unconscious bias training

to all staff

• Our emerging talent programme has

a focus on identifying diverse future

leaders.

FY23 targets

Drive practices and outcomes that will result in

Tower’s leadership reflecting the diversity (gender

and ethnicity) of our customers and communities:

• 100% of hiring panels, candidate shortlists

and succession plans consist of one woman

candidate and one ethnically diverse candidate

• Attrition of diverse talent is kept below the level

of gender and ethnic representation.

Delivered in FY23

• Target not met largely due to challenges with

collecting ethnicity data from candidates during

the recruitment process. However, gender diversity

was achieved for candidate shortlists in 100% of

roles and hiring panels for bands 7 and above.

75% of succession plans included gender diverse

candidates.

• Attrition of diverse talent was less than total attrition

• Increased Parental Leave Benefit

• Introduced Gender Affirmation Leave

• Added more options for our people to choose

from or select for their personal gender, ethnicity,

and national origin, to better reflect our workforce.

This resulted in an increase in gender and ethnicity

disclosure rates to 96% in FY23 compared to 85%

in FY22

• 239 staff completed unconscious bias training

• In FY23 our gender pay gap improved to 20.2%

from 25.9% in FY22. Our gender pay equity gap

in FY23 was -0.2% and our leadership pay gap

was 2.7%.

See pages 34-39 and 114-115 for more information.

• Target to be

developed.

• Target to be

developed.

Material impactsMaterial impacts

ANNUAL REPORT 202352Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Diverse and

Inclusive

to the core

(continued)

Employee wellbeing

We believe that caring for our people’s

wellbeing is fundamental to a healthy culture.

Reduced wellbeing can lead to physical

or emotional harm and right now financial

wellbeing is a key concern for many Kiwis and

Pacific people.

We can make a difference by having

opportunities and initiatives in place to

support our people’s physical, mental and

emotional wellbeing and build their capability

for the future.

Supporting our people’s wellbeing

• Tower is committed to creating a

culture where incidents, near misses,

hazards and discomfort are reported

• We offer a range of contemporary

benefits plus, flexible working,

wellbeing leave for proactively

managing personal or family wellness,

the ability to purchase extra annual

leave, and an additional paid day off

for our people on their birthday

• We provide training and development

opportunities for our people that

includes training for their role,

personal goals and leadership

capability

• We have 15 Mental Health First Aiders,

trained by St John to support our

people through challenging times.

FY23 target

• Zero harm

Delivered in FY23

• Zero harm achieved

• Improved employee leave benefits

• Delivered 15 managing stress sessions to more

than 200 staff

• Delivered eight financial wellbeing seminars

• Provided domestic violence responder

training to 12 employees, bringing our

responders up to 20 across Tower

• Launched the Tower Beam benefits app

• Achieved Living Wage accreditation

• Renewal of DV Free Tick accreditation

• Launched new recognition programme.

See pages 34-39 for more information.

• Zero harm• Zero harm

Go-to trusted

insurance

partner

Affordable and accessible insurance

Low rates of insurance in the Pacific are due

to a range of issues, including the insurability

of many Pacific homes, the unique ownership

structures of properties within families,

affordability and a lack of insurance products

to suit their needs, or a lack of available

internet or transportation to access insurance

products.

We know that not having the right cover

makes people, communities, and economies

reliant on aid, which creates unnecessary

uncertainty and can mean it takes more time

to recover when the worst happens.

We have a responsibility to ensure insurance

remains accessible and affordable. This is

a challenge given the current inflationary

environment and increasing risks from large

events and climate change.

• We continuously monitor our pricing

and benefits to ensure we are

competitive and offer value for money

• Our affordability focus group ensures

our team has the necessary skills to

assist customers with affordability

issues.

• Our parametric insurance product,

Cyclone Response Cover offers a

lower-cost alternative level of cover

for customers in Fiji and Tonga.

FY23 targets

• Consistent digital offerings are in place across

New Zealand and our Pacific markets

• 1,000 parametric policies in place in the

Pacific by the end of FY23.

Delivered in FY23

• Achieved consistent digital offerings

• Launched parametric insurance pilot in Fiji and

Tonga

• Did not achieve our target of 1,000 parametric

policies in place due to the timing of the Fiji pilot

launch and subsequent roadshow, which took

place in the December 2022, half-way through

cyclone season. In FY23, 600 parametric policies

have been purchased for the FY24 cyclone

season. With the product now live across all

of Fiji and a pilot programme live in Tonga, we

expect to reach this target in FY24.

See pages 21, 22 and 24 for more information.

• 20% of

transactions in

the Pacific are

completed via

digital platform

• 1,000 parametric

policies in place

across three

countries by the

end of FY24.

• 40% of

transactions

in the

Pacific are

completed

via digital

platform

• 10,000

parametric

policies in

place across

five countries

by the end of

FY25.

Material impacts (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202353Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Go-to trusted

insurance

partner

(continued)

Transparent and fair insurance

We know that customers don’t always

understand their insurance and, transparency

of information is one of the most important

factors they take into account when deciding

on an insurance provider.

We recognise the need for clearly worded

and simple descriptions of insurance

products that help customers understand

what they’re covered for.

• We are working to ensure our policies

achieve the WriteMark plain English

standard

• Continually simplifying and improving

our customer self-service offering

through digitisation

• Digital platform provides transparency

of customers’ risks and pricing

• Tower is focused on putting things

right for customers who have received

incorrect discounts or benefits.

FY23 target

80% of all products are WriteMark certified by

end of FY23.

Delivered in FY23

• WriteMark target was achieved in New Zealand.

Work continues in the Pacific with 70% of products

now WriteMark certified in Fiji

• Embedded ways to save built into My Tower.

This gives customers practical and immediate

options to save on their premiums

• $6.2m excluding GST has been paid to customers

affected by multi-policy discount errors as at

31 October 2023.

See page 27 for more information.

• Continue to align

Pacific policy

documents with

the WriteMark

standard

• Embed sea-surge

and landslip risk

profiles in quote-

to-buy journey

and in My Tower.

• Target to be

developed.

Product development and innovation

Tower is committed to helping New Zealand

and the Pacific’s transition to a more

sustainable future.

Our greatest opportunity to support this aim

is by positively influencing and supporting our

customers through the services and products

we provide. We are working to ensure

our product development and innovation

supports climate change resilience and action.

We know traditional insurance products fail

to adequately support many Pacific people

who either do not have insurance or are

underinsured.

Innovating our products:

• Our parametric insurance product,

Cyclone Response Cover offers a level

of cover for those in the Pacific who

are excluded from traditional insurance

products

• Offering cover for electric and hybrid

vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters

helps support the transition to more

sustainable forms of transport.

• Cyclone response cover product launched to

wider Fiji market and pilot launched in Tonga

• Launched new personal lines house, motor

and contents products in all Pacific countries

in which we operate

• 60% growth in electric vehicles (EVs) covered

• 34% growth in hybrid electric vehicles covered

See pages 21-25 for more information.

• Target to be

developed.

• Target to be

developed.

Data protection

The collection and use of personal and

non-personal data enables us to offer more

tailored insurance products and services,

including more personalised risk assessments.

We know that any misuse or loss of customer

data is likely to erode trust in the insurance

industry. Tower is committed to protecting our

customers’ and people’s data by having safe

data governance and practices in place.

• Our data governance framework

ensures we are able to take advantage

of opportunities to use data when they

arise, and this data is used appropriately

and effectively

• We have robust policies, processes and

technology in place to ensure data is

protected

• Tower is continuing to decommission

legacy systems which will reduce the

number of systems where customer

data is stored.

• Updated data risk governance framework

• Updated data retention policy and retention

schedules

• Updated third party data access register.

• Update

Information

Management

Policy

• Target to be

developed.

Material impacts (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202354Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Helping

communities

manage

climate

change

Managing the impacts of climate change

Tower is focused on managing the impacts

of climate change, both within our business

and for the communities we serve.

We can make a positive contribution to

mitigating climate change risks both through

our own operations, and by helping others

to manage their risks through our influence

as a Kiwi and Pacific business.

• We are continuing to expand our risk-

based pricing strategy to include more

climate-related hazards

• We manage financial impacts by

budgeting for increasing large events

in our planning and via our robust

reinsurance programme. See page 43

for more information.

• Participating in public dialogue on

climate change impacts and responses

• Sharing useful data about hazards and

risks

• Supporting climate change education

via our Waikato University Bachelor of

Climate Change Studies scholarship.

• Further expanded risk-based pricing by

implementing heightened risk selection

criteria for landslide risks

• Awarded two scholarships.

See page 25 for more information on

risk-based pricing.

Expand our hazard

model to include

landslide and

coastal hazards,

automated pricing

and underwriting

implemented

for these risks,

including

transparency

around risk ratings

for customers.

• Target to be

developed.

Corporate community citizenship

Our approach to employee wellbeing

extends to our people’s connection with

communities and the environment. By

encouraging our people to support projects

that align with their values and help the

community we can help foster a community

mindset within the organisation.

• We provide every employee with a

day of volunteering leave every year,

to contribute to initiatives that restore

the environment or have positive social

outcomes

• With current staff levels Tower has

7,200 volunteer hours available across

New Zealand and the Pacific per year

to make an impact.

• In late FY23 we refreshed and relaunched our

volunteering programme. While early days we

were pleased to have delivered 390 hours of

volunteering by Tower staff.

See page 37 for more information.

1,000 hours of

volunteering by

Tower staff.

• Target to be

developed.

Material impacts (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202355Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Thinking

ahead for

our planet

Carbon emissions

We take measuring and reducing our

emissions seriously as we recognise that

every effort to reduce emissions helps to

mitigate global warming. Our carbon impacts

reach well beyond the boundaries of our

own operational activities and include the

activities of our whole value chain, including

the suppliers we work with.

• Tower has set a science-based

reduction target of 21% over five years

from our 2020 base year.

• We are transitioning our fleet to electric

and hybrid vehicles

• We are exploring renewable energy

options for our Pacific premises

• Our Auckland head office is a six Green

Star rated building with advanced

carbon reduction technology in place

including solar

• We are encouraging different driving

patterns and behaviours in the Pacific

that reduce emissions

• We have incorporated the remote

working lessons from Covid and

reduced air travel substantially from

pre-Covid.

• Changes to vehicle fleet, driving habits

and an updated travel policy have

seen a reduction in fuel usage across

all locations despite the increased

headcount.

• 23% reduction in overall emissions.

See page 50 for more information.

• Establish a

process to

measure

emissions from

our underwriting

activities

• Establish a

process to

measure

emissions from

our supply chain

• Establish a

process and

measure

employee

commuting

emissions

• Review and

improve process

for measuring

working from

home emissions

• Review emissions

targets.

• 21% reduction

in emissions

from our

2020 base

year.

Corporate governance

We know that the decisions we make

have wide reaching implications for the

financial stability of New Zealand and

Pacific economies in terms of the risks we

cover and the suppliers we work with. That’s

why Tower is committed to achieving the

highest standards of corporate governance,

ethical behaviour, and accountability. We

are working to ensure the right culture is in

place to embed sustainability throughout our

business so we can have a positive influence

more broadly.

Tower is committed to achieving

the highest standards of corporate

governance, ethical behaviour and

accountability. Where developments

arise in corporate governance, the

Board reviews Tower’s practices and

incorporates changes where appropriate.

Tower’s relevant governance documents

and policies can be found on this

webpage: Policies and Documentation |

Tower Insurance NZ

• Developed climate change scenarios for Tower.

• Developed an understanding of our climate

change risks and opportunities.

See page 51 for more information.

Sustainability

education to be

rolled out for all

staff.

• Achieve

B Corp

certification.

Material impacts (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202356Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

STRATEGY
ALIGNMENT

MATERIAL TOPIC

OVERVIEW OF POTENTIAL AND ACTUAL IMPACTS

SDG

ALIGNMENTMANAGING OUR IMPACTSDELIVERED IN FY23

FY24 TARGETS

AND INITIATIVES

TARGET FOR FY25

AND BEYOND

Thinking

ahead for

our planet

Environmental footprint

We recognise that our business operations

contribute to waste, pollution and biodiversity

loss in addition to carbon emissions. We are

committed to understanding and managing

our broader environmental impacts.

• Our Auckland head office is a six Green

Star rated building with waste and water

reduction processes and technology,

including recycling composting, low

water toilets.

• Tower took a ‘reuse’ first approach to the

decommission of our existing Suva office with

almost all of the chattels and furniture either

re-used in the new site or where feasible

donated to the local community. We are also

replacing the existing fluorescent lighting with

LED100 laptops and other peripheral hardware

repurposed, reducing total hardware asset

volumes.

• Measure waste

across all Tower

sites, set reduction

target

• Measure water

use across

all sites, set

reduction target.

• Preparation

for Taskforce

for Nature

Based

Financial

Disclosures

(TNFD)

• Work to

understand

our role in

measuring

and mitigating

biodiversity

loss through-

out our value

chain.

Responsible investment

As an institutional investor Tower can

help support the market for responsible

investment products. Our ability to invest in

products such as green tech is limited due

to Tower’s conservative investment policy

which is focused on high liquidity bonds,

and a short duration to ensure availability

of funds for paying claims.

We are currently building our

understanding of the ESG impacts

of our investments. This includes

determining the proportion of issuers

who have ESG initiatives in place

such as: ESG strategies, climate and

nature-based reporting, commitments

to eliminate modern slavery, science-

based emissions targets and Net Zero

commitments.

The investment community is in the early

stages of this data capture and reporting,

and we will continue to work with our

partners as this capability matures.

Began working with investment partners

to understand our ESG impacts.

Measure and

baseline carbon

emissions from our

investment portfolio.

• Develop a

strategy for

managing

investment

portfolio

emissions

• Establish

reporting for

other ESG

impacts.

Material impacts (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202357Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

Board of Directors
Michael Stiassny

LLB, BCom, CFInstD

Chairman

Non-Executive Director

Independent

Director from: 12 October 2012

Michael holds both a Commerce and Law degree

from the University of Auckland and is a Chartered

Fellow and past President of the Institute of Directors.

Michael has enjoyed a high-profile governance career

and is currently Chairman of 2 Cheap Cars Group

Limited, and director of Momentum Life Insurance

Limited, Tegel Group Holdings Limited, and New

Talisman Gold Mines Limited.

With a keen interest in fostering successful next

generation New Zealand businesses, Michael

also dedicates significant time to start ups and

championing entrepreneurship through his

involvement in Founders Advisory.

Michael resides in Auckland — New Zealand.

Graham Stuart

BCom (Hons), MS, FCA

Non-Executive Director

Independent

Director from: 24 May 2012

Graham is an experienced Director, with over 30 years’

experience in governance roles in New Zealand and

internationally. He is currently the Chair of NorthWest

Healthcare Property Management Limited and Comhla

Vet Limited and, a Director of VinPro Limited. Previous

executive roles include Sealord Group CEO, Fonterra

Co-operative Group CFO and Director of Strategy and,

Lion Nathan International Managing Director.

Graham has a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Hons)

from the University of Otago, a Master of Science from

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a Fellow

of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

He has served on multiple Government bodies including

the Food & Beverage Taskforce, Māori Economic

Development Panel and as Chair of the Lincoln Hub

Establishment Board.

Graham resides in Auckland — New Zealand.

Geraldine McBride

BSc

Non-Executive Director

Independent

Director from: 1 October 2022

Geraldine has extensive governance and technology

industry experience, having performed Board and senior

leadership roles both in New Zealand and internationally,

with Sky Network Television Limited, SAP, Dell, IBM,

National Australia Bank and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

Geraldine is the founder and CEO of MyWave. Geraldine

holds a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University and

is a Chartered Member of the NZIOD.

Geraldine resides in Christchurch — New Zealand.

ANNUAL REPORT 202358Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

Marcus Nagel
MBA (International Management),

MBA (Banking and Finance)

Non-Executive Director

Non-independent

Director from: 14 January 2019

Marcus has significant insurance industry experience.

For a decade he has performed senior leadership roles

for Zurich in Europe and globally. In his last role at

Zurich, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Zurich

Germany managing both life insurance and general

insurance businesses. Marcus holds a Master’s Degree in

Banking and Finance from Goethe University in Frankfurt,

Germany and Master of International Management

from the Arizona State University Thunderbird School of

Global Management in Arizona, United States of America.

Marcus was nominated by Bain Capital Credit LP

(Bain Capital) to represent Bain Capital’s stake in Tower

(Bain Capital hold 20.00% of Tower’s ordinary shares)

and his appointment was supported by the Tower Board.

Marcus resides in Schindellegi — Switzerland.

Blair Turnbull

BCom, PGDipCom

Executive Director

Non-independent

Director from: 29 March 2023

Blair Turnbull joined Tower Insurance as CEO in 2020,

bringing with him 25 years of insurance and financial

services experience from across NZ & Australia, Asia,

UK, and Europe. He joined the Board in March 2023

pending the appointment of a new Independent Director.

Prior to joining Tower, Blair was Managing Director,

Digital & Retail, UK & International at Aviva, Britain’s

largest general insurer. Prior to this, he was Executive

General Manager, Wealth and Insurance at ASB Bank.

Blair’s focus is on continuing to accelerate Tower’s

modernisation. He has extensive international

experience, with a proven global track record in using

data to deliver disruptive customer-focussed models

in a proactive way. Blair retired from the Board on

17 November 2023 following the appointment of

Mike Cutter as an Independent Director.

Blair resides in Auckland — New Zealand.

Mike Cutter

BSc (Hons) GAICD

Non Executive Director

Independent

Director from: 17 November 2023

Mike has significant experience in a range of financial

services businesses in Australia, New Zealand,

Asia and Europe. He is the Chair of Arteva Funding,

and a Non-Executive Director of both Sezzle and Pepper

Money. He is the co-founder of Kadre, a credit risk

management consultancy.

Mike has recently served as interim Managing Director

for Bambora Aus and was previously the Group Managing

Director for Equifax ANZ. Before this he held various

senior roles with GE, ANZ, Wesfarmers/OAMPS Insurance

Brokers, Halifax/BankOne and NAB.

Mike is a Senior Fellow of Financial Services Institute of

Australia. He has served on the Boards of the Women’s

Cancer Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Institute, the Australian

Finance Congress, the National Insurance Brokers

Association and the Australian Retail Credit Association.

Mike resides in Melbourne – Australia.

ANNUAL REPORT 202359Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index ContentsSustainability

ANNUAL REPORT 202360Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL

STATEMENTS

61ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Financial Statements
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

63

Consolidated balance sheet

64

Consolidated statement of changes in equity65

Consolidated statement of cash flows66

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1Overview67

1.1About this report67

1.2Consolidation67

1.3Critical accounting judgements and estimates69

1.4Segmental reporting69

2Underwriting activities70

2.1Underwriting revenue70

2.2Net claims expense71

2.3Underwriting expense71

2.4Net outstanding claims72

2.5Unearned premium liability77

2.6Deferred insurance costs78

2.7Receivables79

2.8Payables80

2.9Provisions80

2.10Assets backing insurance liabilities80

3Investments and other income81

3.1Investment income81

3.2Investments81

3.3Other income82

4Risk management82

4.1Risk management overview82

4.2Strategic risk83

4.3Insurance risk83

4.4Credit risk84

4.5Market risk85

4.6Liquidity risk87

4.7Capital management risk87

4.8Operational risk88

4.9Regulatory and compliance risk88

4.10Conduct risk88

4.11Cyber risk88

4.12Climate change risk89

5Capital structure89

5.1Contributed equity89

5.2Reserves90

5.3Net tangible assets per share90

5.4Earnings per share90

5.5Dividends90

6Other balance sheet items91

6.1Property, plant and equipment91

6.2Intangible assets92

6.3Leases94

7Tax 96

7.1Tax expense96

7.2Current tax97

7.3Deferred tax97

7.4Imputation credits99

8Other information99

8.1Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows99

8.2Related party disclosures100

8.3Auditor's remuneration101

8.4Assets and liabilities held for sale101

8.5Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan103

8.6Contingent liabilities104

8.7Subsequent events104

8.8Capital commitments104

8.9Impact of new accounting standards and changes in interpretation of current standards104

Independent Auditor's report, and Appointed Actuary's report

Independent Auditor's report106

Appointed Actuary's report111

ANNUAL REPORT 202362Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

NOTE

2023

$000

RE-PRESENTED

2022

$000

Gross written premium 511,484 436,593

Unearned premium movement(40,671)(26,992)

Gross earned premium 2.1 470,813 409,601

Outward reinsurance premium(82,030)(62,128)

Movement in deferred reinsurance premium(368)(151)

Outward reinsurance premium expense(82,398)(62,279)

Net earned premium 388,415 347,322

Claims expense(492,197)(238,293)

Less: Reinsurance and other recoveries revenue2.1205,187 15,109

Net claims expense2.2(287,010)(223,184)

Gross commission expense(12,342)(13,528)

Commission revenue2.1 4,636 4,725

Net commission expense(7,706)(8,803)

Underwriting expense2.3(105,354)(91,852)

Underwriting (loss)/profit(11,655) 23,483

Investment income3.1 14,627 1,480

Investment expenses(298)(338)

Other income3.35,727 1,304

Other expenses(44)(63)

Financing and other costs(920)(890)

Profit before taxation from continuing operations7,437 24,976

Tax expense7.1(5,085)(7,483)

Profit after taxation from continuing operations2,352 17,493

(Loss)/profit after taxation from discontinued operations8.4(3,580)1,362

(Loss)/profit after taxation for the year (1,228)18,855

NOTE

2023

$000

RE-PRESENTED

2022

$000

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Currency translation differences(1,487)3,948

Reclassification of the foreign currency translation reserve8.4544 –

Other comprehensive (loss)/profit net of tax(943)3,948

Total comprehensive (loss)/profit for the year(2,171)22,803

Earnings per share:

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents) for continuing

operations

5.40.6 4.4

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents)5.4(0.3)4.7

(Loss)/profit after taxation attributed to:

Shareholders(1,228)18,803

Non-controlling interests – 52

(1,228)18,855

Total comprehensive (loss)/profit attributed to:

Shareholders (2,171)22,737

Non-controlling interests – 66

(2,171)22,803

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

ANNUAL REPORT 202363Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Consolidated balance sheet
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

NOTE

2023

$000

2022

$000

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents8.164,009 84,502

Investments3.2258,798 258,634

Receivables 2.7413,826 242,089

Current tax asset7.2a12,917 13,069

Assets classified as held for sale8.413,697 20,811

Deferred tax asset7.3a14,971 23,893

Deferred insurance costs2.639,951 37,819

Right-of-use assets6.3a(i)23,204 23,326

Property, plant and equipment 6.16,280 5,417

Intangible assets6.298,524 94,653

Total assets946,177 804,213

Liabilities

Payables2.877,032 58,911

Unearned premiums2.5272,834 238,116

Outstanding claims2.4240,597 124,531

Current tax liabilities7.2b198 136

Liabilities classified as held for sale8.49,765 9,258

Provisions2.912,823 11,873

Lease liabilities6.3a(ii)32,615 35,054

Deferred tax liabilities7.3b48 8,806

Total liabilities645,912 486,685

Net assets300,265 317,528

NOTE

2023

$000

2022

$000

Equity

Contributed equity5.1460,315 460,191

Accumulated losses(55,949)(41,212)

Reserves5.2(104,101)(101,451)

Total equity300,265 317,528

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

The financial statements were approved for issue by the Board on 23 November 2023.

Michael P Stiassny Graham R Stuart

Chairman Director

ANNUAL REPORT 202364Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

ATTRIBUTED TO SHAREHOLDERS

NOTE

CONTRIBUTED

EQUITY

$000

ACCUMULATED

LOSSES

$000

RESERVES

$000

NON-CONTROLLING

INTEREST

$000

TOTAL EQUITY

$000

Year Ended 30 September 2023

Balance as at 30 September 2022460,191 (41,212)(101,451) – 317,528

Comprehensive loss

Loss for the year – (1,228) – – (1,228)

Currency translation differences – – (1,487) – (1,487)

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve to profit and loss8.4 – – 544 – 544

Revaluation surplus transferred to retained earnings5.2 – 1,707 (1,707) – –

Total comprehensive loss – 479(2,650) – (2,171)

Transactions with shareholders

Dividend payment5.5 – (15,216) – – (15,216)

Share rights issued under Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan8.5124 – – – 124

Total transactions with shareholders124 (15,216) – – (15,092)

At the end of the year460,315 (55,949)(104,101)–300,265

Year Ended 30 September 2022

Balance as at 30 September 2021 492,424 (39,995)(105,385) 2,676 349,720

Comprehensive income

Profit for the year – 18,803 – 52 18,855

Currency translation differences – – 3,934 14 3,948

Total comprehensive income – 18,803 3,934 66 22,803

Transactions with shareholders

Capital return to shareholders5.1(30,634) – – – (30,634)

Purchase of non-controlling interests5.1(1,599) – – (2,742)(4,341)

Dividend payment5.5 – (20,028) – – (20,028)

Other – 8 – – 8

Total transactions with shareholders(32,233)(20,020) – (2,742)(54,995)

At the end of the year460,191 (41,212)(101,451)–317,528

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

ANNUAL REPORT 202365Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Consolidated statement of cash flows
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

NOTE

2023

$000

RE–PRESENTED

2022

$000

Cash flows from operating activities

Premiums received 471,171 416,245

Interest received 11,612 6,520

Fee and other income received6,322 3,588

Reinsurance and other recoveries received74,563 11,968

Reinsurance paid(61,595)(51,940)

Claims paid(380,732)(236,492)

Employee and supplier payments(94,432)(83,906)

Income tax paid(1,802)(1,783)

Operating activities cashflow from discontinued operations(15,144)(4,416)

Net cash inflow from operating activities8.1 9,963 59,784

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of interest bearing investments256,573 182,145

Payments for purchase of interest bearing investments(254,814)(181,578)

Payments for purchase of intangible assets (15,298)(14,695)

Payments for purchase of customer relationships6.2(5,900)(6,089)

Payments for purchase of property, plant & equipment (2,419)(2,100)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment8.4 5,746 –

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operation (net of

cash disposed)

8.4 2,618 –

Investing activities cashflow from discontinued operations1,216 (1,353)

Net cash outflow from investing activities(12,278)(23,670)

NOTE

2023

$000

RE–PRESENTED

2022

$000

Cash flows from financing activities

Payments for capital return to shareholders – (30,634)

Purchase of non-controlling interests – (4,341)

Dividends paid(15,216)(20,028)

Facility fees and interest paid(928)(909)

Payments relating to lease liabilities6.3 (6,845)(5,852)

Financing activities cashflow from discontinued operations(190)(1,946)

Net cash outflow from financing activities(23,179)(63,710)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(25,494)(27,596)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes(1,493)3,765

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 92,298 116,129

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 65,311 92,298

Cash from discontinued operations 8.4 (1,302)(7,796)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

from continuing operations64,009 84,502

The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

ANNUAL REPORT 202366Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

1 Overview
This section provides information that is helpful to an overall understanding of the financial statements

and the areas of critical accounting judgements and estimates included in the financial statements. It also

includes a summary of Tower’s operating segments.

1.1 About this Report

a. Entities reporting

The financial statements presented are those of Tower Limited (the Company) and its subsidiaries.

The Company and its subsidiaries together are referred to in this financial report as Tower or the Group.

The address of the Company’s registered office is 136 Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand.

During the periods presented, the principal activity of the Group was the provision of general insurance. The

Group predominantly operates in New Zealand with some of its operations based in the Pacific Islands region.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 23 November 2023. The entity’s

owners or others do not have the power to amend the financial statements after issue.

b. Statutory base

Tower Limited is a company incorporated in New Zealand under the Companies Act 1993 and listed on the

NZX Main Board and the Australian Securities Exchange. The Company is a reporting entity under Part 7 of the

Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

c. Basis of preparation

The Company is a for-profit entity and the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with

New Zealand Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (NZ GAAP). They comply with International Financial

Reporting Standards (IFRS), New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS)

and other applicable financial reporting standards, as appropriate for Tier 1 for-profit entities.

The financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Part 7 of

the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and the NZX Main Board Listing Rules.

The Group financial statements are presented in New Zealand dollars and rounded to the nearest thousand

dollars. They have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost basis except for certain financial

instruments that are stated at their fair value.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

d. Re-presentation of comparatives

The Group’s Papua New Guinea Operations (disposal group) constitutes a discontinued operation which was

disposed in the year ended 30 September 2023.

Select operations in Pacific (disposal groups) where Tower has begun the process to divest its operations also

constitute discontinued operations and are classified as held for sale as at 30 September 2023.

All disposal groups together form the “discontinued operations”. Profit or loss information for the current period

is prepared on a continuing basis with net results from discontinued operations presented separately. Profit or

loss information for 2022 has been re-presented for comparability. Refer to note 8.4 for further details.

Where necessary, comparative information has been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation.

1.2 Consolidation

a. Principles of consolidation

The Group financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of the Company at

balance date and the results of all subsidiaries for the year.

Subsidiaries are those entities over which the consolidated entity has control, being power over the investee;

exposure, or rights to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and the ability to use its power

over the investee to affect the amount of the investor’s returns.

The results of any subsidiaries acquired during the year are consolidated from the date on which control

was transferred to the consolidated entity and the results of any subsidiaries disposed of during the year are

consolidated up to the date control ceased.

The acquisition of controlled entities from external parties is accounted for using the acquisition method

of accounting. Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown separately in

the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and balance sheet respectively.

Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.

When the Group ceases to have control, any retained interest in the entity is re-measured to its fair value at the

date when control is lost, with the change in carrying amount recognised in profit or loss.

Intercompany transactions and balances between Group entities are eliminated on consolidation.

ANNUAL REPORT 202367Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

b. Foreign currency
(i) Functional and presentation currencies

The financial statements of each Group entity are presented in the currency of the primary economic

environment in which the entity operates. The Group financial statements are presented in New Zealand

dollars and rounded to the nearest thousand dollars unless stated otherwise.

(ii) Transactions and balances

In preparing the financial statements of the individual entities, transactions denominated in foreign currencies

are translated into the entities’ functional and reporting currency using the exchange rates in effect at the

transaction dates. Monetary items receivable or payable in a foreign currency are translated at reporting

date at the closing exchange rate.

Translation differences on non-monetary items such as financial assets held at fair value through profit or

loss are reported as part of their fair value gain or loss.

Exchange differences arising on the settlement or retranslation of monetary items at year end exchange

rates impact profit after tax in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income unless the items

form part of a net investment in a foreign operation. In this case, exchange differences are taken to the

foreign currency translation reserve and recognised (as part of comprehensive profit) in the statement

of comprehensive income and the statement of changes in equity.

(iii) Consolidation

For the purpose of preparing consolidated financial statements the assets and liabilities of subsidiaries

with a functional currency different to the Company are translated at the closing rate at the balance date.

Income and expense items for each subsidiary are translated at a weighted average of exchange rates over

the period, as a surrogate for the spot rates at transaction dates. Foreign currency translation differences

are taken to the foreign currency translation reserve and recognised in the statement of comprehensive

income and the statement of changes in equity.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets

and liabilities of the foreign operation and are translated at the closing rate with movements recorded

through the foreign currency translation reserve in the statement of changes in equity.

On disposal of a foreign entity, the deferred cumulative amount recognised in equity relating to that

particular foreign operation is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

c. Subsidiaries

The table below lists Tower Limited’s principal subsidiary companies and controlled entities. All entities have a

balance date of 30 September.

HOLDINGS

NAME OF COMPANYINCORPORATION20232022

Parent Company

New Zealand general insurance operations

Tower LimitedNZParentParent

Subsidiaries

Overseas general insurance operations

Tower Insurance (Cook Islands) LimitedCook Islands100%100%

Tower Insurance (Fiji) LimitedFiji100%100%

Tower Insurance (PNG) Limited (refer note 8.4)PNG0%100%

National Pacific Insurance Limited (NPI)Samoa100%100%

National Pacific Insurance (Tonga) LimitedTonga100%100%

National Pacific Insurance (American Samoa)

Limited

American Samoa100%100%

Tower Insurance (Vanuatu) LimitedVanuatu100%100%

Management service operations

Tower Services LimitedNZ100%100%

Tower Group Services (Fiji) Pte Limited*Fiji100%100%

* National Insurance Company (Holdings) Pte Limited has had its name changed to Tower Group Services (Fiji) Pte Limited

on 26 May 2023.

1.2 Consolidation (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202368

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

1.3 Critical accounting judgements and estimates
In preparing these financial statements management is required to make estimates and related assumptions

about the future. The estimates and related assumptions are based on experience and other factors that are

considered to be reasonable, and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to the estimates are recognised

in the period in which they are revised, or future periods if relevant. The key areas in which estimates and

related assumptions are applied are as follows:

—Net outstanding claims note 2.4

—Liability adequacy test note 2.5

—Intangible assets note 6.2

—Lease liabilities (incremental borrowing rate) note 6.3a(ii)

—Deferred tax note 7.3

—Customer remediation provision note 2.9

1.4 Segmental reporting

a. Operating segments

Tower operates in two geographical segments, New Zealand and the Pacific region. New Zealand comprises

the general insurance business underwritten in New Zealand. Pacific Islands comprises the general insurance

business underwritten in the Pacific by Tower subsidiaries and branch operations. Other contains balances

relating to Tower Services Limited and group diversification benefits.

The Group does not derive revenue from any individual or entity that represents 10% or more of the Group’s

total revenue.

The financial performance for Pacific Islands operating segment excludes the disposal groups. The prior year

comparatives have been re-presented accordingly. Intercompany transactions with the disposal group are

eliminated within continuing operations, refer note 8.4.

b. Financial performance of continuing operations

NEW ZEALAND

$000

PACIFIC ISLANDS

$000

OTHER

$000

TOTAL

$000

Year Ended 30 September 2023

Gross written premium468,788 42,696 – 511,484

Gross earned premium427,907 42,906 – 470,813

Outward reinsurance premium expense(70,199)(12,199) – (82,398)

Net earned premium357,708 30,707 – 388,415

Net claims expense(274,538)(12,123)(349)(287,010)

Net commission expense(6,844)(862) – (7,706)

Underwriting expense(96,431)(8,923) – (105,354)

Underwriting (loss)/profit(20,105)8,799 (349)(11,655)

Net investment income13,622 707 – 14,329

Other income and expenses4,204 (70)629 4,763

(Loss)/profit before taxation from

continuing operations(2,279)9,436 280 7,437

(Loss)/profit after taxation from

continuing operations(4,709)6,781 280 2,352

Year Ended 30 September 2022 (Re-presented)

Gross written premium395,490 41,103 – 436,593

Gross earned premium369,871 39,730 – 409,601

Outward reinsurance premium expense(51,026)(11,253) – (62,279)

Net earned premium318,845 28,477 – 347,322

Net claims expense(207,184)(16,346)346 (223,184)

Net commission expense(8,048)(755) – (8,803)

Underwriting expense(82,744)(9,108) – (91,852)

Underwriting profit20,869 2,268 346 23,483

Net investment income1,023 119 – 1,142

Other income and expenses192 159 – 351

Profit before taxation from

continuing operations22,084 2,546 346 24,976

Profit after taxation from

continuing operations14,989 2,158 346 17,493

ANNUAL REPORT 202369

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

2 Underwriting activities
This section provides information on Tower’s underwriting activities.

Tower collects premiums from customers in exchange for providing insurance coverage. These

premiums are recognised as revenue when they are earned by Tower, with a liability for unearned

premiums recognised on the balance sheet.

When customers suffer a loss that is covered by their policy, Tower will make payments to customers

or suppliers, which it recognises as claims expenses. To ensure Tower’s obligations to customers are

properly recorded within the financial statements, Tower recognises provisions for outstanding claims.

To manage Tower’s risk and optimise its returns, Tower reinsures some of its exposure with reinsurance

companies. The premiums paid to reinsurers are recognised as an expense, while recoveries from

reinsurers are recognised as revenue.

2.1 Underwriting Revenue

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Gross written premium 511,484 436,593

Movement in unearned premium liability(40,671)(26,992)

Gross earned premium 470,813 409,601

Reinsurance and other recoveries revenue 205,187 15,109

Reinsurance commission 2,853 3,590

Insurance administration services commission 1,783 1,135

Commission revenue 4,636 4,725

Underwriting revenue 680,636 429,435

c. Financial position of continuing operations

NEW ZEALAND

$000

PACIFIC ISLANDS

$000

OTHER

$000

TOTAL

$000

Additions to non-current assets

30 September 2023

24,081 6,319 –30,400

Additions to non-current assets

30 September 2022

29,547 883 (4,327)26,103

Total assets 30 September 2023892,003 65,484 (25,007)932,480

Total assets 30 September 2022723,805 74,539 (14,942)783,402

Total liabilities 30 September 2023605,797 41,657 (11,307)636,147

Total liabilities 30 September 2022

426,930 51,462 (965)477,427

Additions to non-current assets include additions to property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets,

intangible assets and investments in subsidiaries.

Total assets and liabilities exclude assets and liabilities held for sale.

Definition

An operating segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products or services

that are subject to risks and returns that are different to those of other operating segments. Operating

segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating

decision-maker (the Chief Executive Officer) who reviews the operating results on a regular basis and

makes decisions on resource allocation and assessing performance.

1.4 Segmental reporting (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202370

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Gross earned premium is recognised in the period in which the premiums are earned during the term

of the contract, excluding taxes and levies collected on behalf of third parties. It includes a provision for

expected future premium cancellations (which is offset against gross premium receivables, see note 2.7),

and customer remediation (see note 2.9). The proportion of premiums not earned in the consolidated

statement of comprehensive income at reporting date is recognised in the consolidated balance sheet

as unearned premiums.

Reinsurance and other recoveries on paid claims, reported claims not yet paid, claims incurred but

not reported and claims incurred but not enough reported are recognised as revenue. Recoveries are

measured as the expected future receipts and recognised when the claim is incurred.

Reinsurance commission revenue includes reimbursements by reinsurers to cover part of Tower’s

management and sales expense over the term of the reinsurance agreements. Reinsurance commission

income can also include a proportion of expected profitability of business ceded to the reinsurer.

The final value of the variable commission is based on the achievement of a hurdle rate over time.

This revenue is recognised over the term of the reinsurance agreements dependent on the profitability

of proportional arrangement which is reassessed at each reporting date.

Insurance administration services commission includes a percentage of levies collected on behalf

of third parties and is recognised at the point the levy is collected.

2.2 Net claims expense

Composition

EXC. CANTERBURY

EARTHQUAKE

CANTERBURY

EARTHQUAKETOTAL

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

Gross claims expense491,636 229,180 561 9,113 492,197 238,293

Reinsurance and other

recoveries revenue

(206,348)(13,479)1,161 (1,630)(205,187)(15,109)

Net claims expense285,288 215,701 1,722 7,483 287,010 223,184

2.1 Underwriting Revenue (continued)

Net claims expense includes the impact of several large events that occurred during the year ended 30 September

2023: January’s Auckland and upper North Island weather event, Cyclone Gabrielle in February, Cyclones Judy

and Kevin in Vanuatu in March (included within discontinued operations), and the Auckland floods on 9 May.

The net claims expense for large events totals $38m (excluding costs of reinstating reinsurance cover). The cost

of reinstating reinsurance coverage after these events is recorded within outward reinsurance premiums.

Recognition and measurement

Net claims expense is measured as the difference between net outstanding claims liability at the

beginning and end of the financial year plus any claims payments made, net of reinsurance and

other recoveries received during the financial year. Please refer to note 2.4 for more information.

Additional disclosures related to the Canterbury earthquake events in 2010 and 2011 are provided in note 2.4.

2.3 Underwriting expense

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

People costs85,429 83,615

People costs capitalised during the year(9,562)(7,557)

Technology 16,372 14,549

Amortisation 17,327 14,723

Depreciation*5,836 4,762

External fees11,766 10,502

Marketing13,128 11,745

Communications3,361 2,894

Miscellaneous3,814 3,066

Movement in deferred acquisition costs(4,167)(6,310)

Claims related management expenses reclassified to claims expense(36,208)(36,842)

Service fees charged to discontinued operations**(1,742)(3,295)

Underwriting expenses105,354 91,852

* Includes $4.0m (2022: $2.7m) of depreciation on right-of-use assets. See note 6.3b for further information.

** Refer note 8.4 for further detail.

ANNUAL REPORT 202371

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

2.4 Net outstanding claims
a. Composition

EXC. CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKECANTERBURY EARTHQUAKETOTAL

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

Central estimate of future cash flows204,552 89,404 13,822 18,056 218,374 107,460

Claims handling expense11,727 5,564 699 772 12,426 6,336

Risk margin5,170 5,051 4,627 5,684 9,797 10,735

Gross outstanding claims221,449 100,019 19,148 24,512 240,597 124,531

Reinsurance recoveries(116,827)(10,293)(2,329)(3,787)(119,156)(14,080)

Net outstanding claims104,622 89,726 16,819 20,725 121,441 110,451

Net claim payments within 12 months89,168 76,422 6,896 8,497 96,064 84,919

Net claim payments after 12 months15,454 13,304 9,923 12,228 25,377 25,532

Net outstanding claims104,622 89,726 16,819 20,725 121,441 110,451

Recognition and measurement

Gross outstanding claims liability comprises a central estimate of future cash outflows and a risk margin

for uncertainty.

The outstanding claims liability is measured at the central estimate of future cash outflows relating to

claims incurred prior to the reporting date including direct and indirect claims handling costs. The liability

is measured based on the advice of the Appointed Actuary or on valuations which have been peer

reviewed by the Appointed Actuary. It is intended to include no deliberate or unconscious bias toward

over or under-estimation. Given the uncertainty in establishing the liability, it is likely the final outcome

will differ from the original liability established. Changes in the claim estimates are recognised in profit

or loss in the reporting period in which the estimates are changed.

The gross outstanding claim liabilities also include a risk margin that relates to the inherent uncertainty

in the central estimate of the future payments. The risk margin represents the amount by which the

liability recognised in the financial statements is greater than the actuarial estimate. Tower currently

applies a 75% probability of adequacy to the outstanding claims liability which means there is a 1-in-4

chance all future claim payments will exceed the overall reserve held.

In the current and prior years, discounting has been applied to the provision for outstanding claims

relating to the Canterbury earthquakes, using spot rates derived from government-issued bonds.

In the current year, discounting has also been applied to the provision for other outstanding claims,

whereas in the prior year the net impact of discounting on other outstanding claims was considered

to be immaterial.

Uncertainties surrounding the liability estimation process include those relating to the available data,

actuarial models and assumptions, the statistical uncertainty associated with the general insurance run-

off process and external risks.

Net outstanding claims liability is calculated by deducting reinsurance and other recoveries from gross

outstanding claims. Reinsurance and other recoveries on outstanding claims are recognised as income

with the corresponding asset being recognised on the balance sheet.

ANNUAL REPORT 202372

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

b. Reconciliation of movements in net outstanding claims liability
2023

$000

2022

$000

GROSSREINSURANCENETGROSSREINSURANCENET

Balance brought forward124,531 (14,080)110,451 122,338 (22,850)99,488

Claims expense - current year505,493 (218,959)286,534 248,024 (20,429)227,595

Claims expense - prior year7,807 2,19810,005 (5,970)4,491 (1,479)

Incurred claims recognised in profit or loss from continuing operations492,197 (205,187)287,010 240,147 (15,243)224,904

Incurred claims recognised in profit or loss from discontinued operations **21,103 (11,574)9,529 1,907 (695)1,212

Claims paid and reinsurance and other recoveries raised from continuing and discontinued operations(393,968)108,442 (285,526)(239,706)24,604 (215,102)

Foreign exchange759 (53)706 1,826 (347)1,479

Liabilities reclassified as held for sale*(4,025)3,296 (729)(1,981)451 (1,530)

Outstanding claims240,597 (119,156)121,441 124,531 (14,080)110,451

* Refer note 8.4

** The prior year comparatives have not been represented.

2.4 Net outstanding claims (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202373

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

c. Development of claims
The following table shows the development of net outstanding claims relative to the current estimate of ultimate claims costs for the five most recent years.

ULTIMATE CLAIMS COST ESTIMATE

PRIOR

$000

2019

$000

2020

$000

2021

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

TOTAL

$000

At end of incident year146,166 155,989 182,118 198,315 263,519

One year later143,154 152,577 180,651 204,941 –

Two years later142,405 151,261 182,203 – –

Three years later142,429 151,115 – – –

Four years later142,464 – – – –

Ultimate claims cost142,464 151,115 182,203 204,941 263,519

Cumulative payments(142,393)(149,692)(178,881)(198,103)(182,495)

Undiscounted net central estimate13,898 71 1,423 3,322 6,838 81,024 106,576

Claims handling expense12,426

Risk margin9,797

Discount to present value(7,358)

Net outstanding claim liabilities121,441

Reinsurance recoveries119,156

Gross outstanding claim liabilities240,597

All amounts in this note exclude discontinued operations, consistent with other profit or loss disclosures.

Prior year numbers have been restated at current year exchange rates to reflect the underlying development of claims.

2.4 Net outstanding claims (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202374

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

d. Actuarial information
The estimation of outstanding claims as at 30 September 2023 has been carried out by:

(i) Geoff Atkins, BA (ActuarDc), FIAA, FIAL, FANZIIF, Appointed Actuary - Canterbury earthquake claims; and

(ii) John Feyter, B.Sc., FNZSA - all other outstanding claims

The New Zealand actuarial assessments are undertaken in accordance with the standards of the New Zealand

Society of Actuaries, in particular Professional Standard No. 30 “Valuations of General Insurance Claims”.

The Actuaries were satisfied as to the nature, sufficiency and accuracy of the data used to determine the

outstanding claims liability. The outstanding claims liability is set by the Actuaries at a level that is appropriate

and sustainable to cover the Group’s claims obligations after having regard to the prevailing market

environment and prudent industry practice.

e. Canterbury earthquakes

Cumulative impact of Canterbury earthquakes

As at 30 September 2023, Tower has 23 claims remaining to settle (2022: 36) as a result of the earthquakes

impacting the Canterbury region during 2010 and 2011. The following table presents the cumulative impact

of the four main Canterbury earthquake events on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

2023

$000

2022

$000

Earthquake claims estimate net of EQC payments954,175 953,531

Reinsurance recoveries(732,643)(733,720)

Claim expense net of reinsurance recoveries221,532 219,811

Reinsurance expense25,045 25,045

Cumulative impact of Canterbury earthquakes before tax246,577 244,856

Income tax(69,042)(68,560)

Cumulative impact of Canterbury earthquakes after tax177,535 176,296

Canterbury earthquake impact on profit or loss before tax

2023

$000

2022

$000

Net claims expense 1,722 7,483

f. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Outstanding claims liability (excluding Canterbury Earthquakes)

The estimation of the outstanding claims liability involves a number of key assumptions. Tower’s estimation

uses Company-specific data, relevant industry data and general economic data for each major class of

business. The estimation process factors in a number of considerations including the risks to which the

business is exposed to at a point in time, claim frequency and severity, historical trends in the development

of claims as well as legal, social and economic factors that may affect each class of business.

Assumption (before impact of reinsurance)20232022

Expected future claims development proportion36.1%20.3%

Claims handling expense ratio5.9%6.6%

Risk margin5.2%6.0%

Discount rate*5.7%N/A

* Discounting has been allowed on all outstanding claims (2022: only on outstanding claims relating to the Canterbury

earthquakes). Refer note 2.4a for further details.

Expected future claims development proportion

This is the proportion of additional claims cost that is expected to be recognised in the future for claims that

have already been reported. The assumption is expressed as a proportion of current case estimates for open

claims and the resulting amount is recognised in the balance sheet as an outstanding claims liability.

Claims handling expense ratio

This reflects the expected cost to administer current open and future claims. The ratio is calculated based on

historical experience of claims handling costs.

Risk margin

Risk margins are calculated for outstanding claims in each country separately and a diversification benefit is

calculated taking into account the uncorrelated effect of random risk. The total risk margin percentage shown

is calculated on a weighted average basis.

2.4 Net outstanding claims (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202375

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Canterbury Earthquake outstanding claims liability
Assumptions are made for the estimation of outstanding claims related to the Canterbury earthquakes. The

key assumptions are estimated ultimate costs (including building costs) for settling open claims, and the

numbers of new overcap claims, litigated claims, re-opened claims and their associated costs. Other elements

of judgement include the apportionment of claim costs between the four main earthquake events, future claim

management expenses and assessment of the risk margin.

Assumption

20232022

Number of future new overcap and new litigated claims 41 46

Average cost of new overcap or new litigated claim 94,000 114,000

Provision for re-opened claims 790,000 1,070,000

Additional portfolio-level provision for incurred but not enough reported 1,499,000 2,355,000

New overcap and new litigated claims

New overcap claims are typically for properties that have previously been managed by EQC but where damage

is now assessed as being more extensive than previously thought and there is now an insurance claim payable.

New litigated claims are existing or future new claims that are referred to either the Insurance Tribunal or the

High Court for resolution. Costs for new litigated claims are assumed to be substantially higher than costs for

other overcap claims. Only a small number of new litigated claims are now expected.

Provision for re-opened claims

Re-opened claims arise where additional liability arises for additional scope not previously identified or where

a repair has failed or where another expense is payable for a claim that is currently closed.

g. Sensitivity Analysis

The impact on profit or loss of changes in key assumptions used in the calculation of the outstanding claims

liabilities is summarised below. Each change has been calculated in isolation from the other variables and is

stated before income tax.

Outstanding claims excluding Canterbury earthquake

IMPACT ON PROFIT OR (LOSS)

MOVEMENT IN

ASSUMPTION

2023

$000

2022

$000

Expected future claims development + 10%(2,037)(1,419)

- 10%2,037 1,419

Claims handling expense ratio + 10%(607)(556)

- 10%607 556

Risk margin + 10%(517)(505)

- 10%517 505

Discount rate + 1.75%609 –

- 1.75%(631)–

Canterbury earthquake outstanding claims

IMPACT ON PROFIT OR (LOSS)

MOVEMENT IN

ASSUMPTION

2023

$000

2022

$000

Number of new overcap or new litigated claims + 35%(1,351)(1,817)

- 35%1,351 1,817

Change in average cost of a new overcap or new

litigated claim

+ 20%(772)(1,038)

- 20%772 1,038

Number of reopened claims + 35%(277)(375)

- 35%277 375

Change in average cost of a reopened claim + 20%(158)(214)

- 20%158 214

2.4 Net outstanding claims (continued)

f. Critical accounting estimates and judgements (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202376

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Adequacy of unearned premium liability
Tower undertakes a liability adequacy test (LAT) to determine whether the unearned premium liability is

sufficient to pay future claims net of reinsurance recoveries.

If the present value of expected future net cash flows relating to current insurance contracts, plus a risk margin,

exceeds the unearned premium liabilities less related deferred acquisition costs and intangible assets, then

the unearned premium liability is deemed deficient. This deficiency is immediately recognised in profit or loss.

In recognising the deficiency, Tower will first write down any related deferred acquisition costs or intangible

assets before recognising an unexpired risk liability.

The unearned premium liability as at 30 September 2023 was sufficient for the New Zealand business

(2022: sufficient). The unearned premium liabilities as at 30 September 2023 for each Pacific entity was

also sufficient (2022: sufficient).

20232022

Central estimate net claims as a % of unearned premium liability52.8%45.5%

Risk margin as a % of net claims13.3%11.2%

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The LAT is conducted using a central estimate of premium liability adjusted for risk margin and it is

carried out on an individual country basis. The test is based on prospective information and so is heavily

dependent on assumptions and judgements.

2.5 Unearned premium liability

Reconciliation

2023

$000

2022

$000

Opening balance 238,116 212,275

Premiums written during the year from continuing operations 511,484 436,593

Premiums earned during the year from continuing operations(470,813)(409,601)

Unearned premium movement from continuing operations40,67126,992

Premiums written during the year from discontinued operations10,31317,042

Premiums earned during the year from discontinued operations(9,969)(17,405)

Unearned premium movement from discontinued operations344(363)

Foreign exchange movements(990)3,957

Liabilities reclassified as held for sale(5,307)(4,745)

Unearned premium liability from continuing operations 272,834 238,116

All unearned premiums will be earned in the 12 months after 30 September 2023 and therefore are current

liabilities. The unearned premium liability is presented net of cancellation provisions.

Recognition and measurement

Unearned premium liability is the portion of premiums written that are yet to be earned in the

consolidated statement of comprehensive income. It is calculated based on the term of the risk and in

accordance with the expected pattern of the incidence of risk underwritten using an appropriate pro-

rated method.

ANNUAL REPORT 202377

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

2.6 Deferred insurance costs
DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS

DEFERRED OUTWARDS

REINSURANCE EXPENSEDEFERRED INSURANCE COSTS

Reconciliation

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

Balance brought forward26,54221,11611,27710,85137,81931,967

Costs deferred59,04848,19215,18317,28374,23165,475

Amortisation expense(54,617)(42,765)(14,790)(17,073)(69,407)(59,838)

Foreign exchange movements(105)247(316)1,303(421)1,550

Asset reclassified as held for sale(819)(248)(1,452)(1,087)(2,271)(1,335)

Closing balance30,04926,5429,90211,27739,95137,819

Deferred insurance costs are expected to be amortised within 12 months from reporting date.

Recognition and measurement

Acquisition costs comprises costs incurred in obtaining and recording general insurance contracts

such as advertising expenses, sales expenses and other underwriting expenses. These costs are

initially capitalised and then expensed in line with the earning pattern of the related premium. Deferred

acquisition costs at the reporting date represent the acquisition costs related to unearned premium.

Outwards reinsurance expense reflects premiums ceded to reinsurers and is recognised as an expense

in accordance with the pattern of reinsurance service received. Deferred outwards reinsurance expense

at the reporting date represents outwards reinsurance expenses related to unearned premium.

ANNUAL REPORT 202378

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

2.7 Receivables
Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Gross premium receivables243,791 200,715

Provision for expected future premium cancellations(516)(651)

Premium receivable243,275 200,064

Reinsurance recoveries*142,961 15,847

Canterbury earthquake reinsurance recoveries2,329 3,787

Other recoveries17,865 11,378

Reinsurance and other recoveries163,155 31,012

Finance lease receivables344 2,375

Prepayments5,416 4,411

Other receivables1,636 2,401

Receivable from discontinued operations** – 1,826

Receivables413,826 242,089

Receivable within 12 months413,826 241,742

Receivable in greater than 12 months–347

Receivables413,826 242,089

* Refer note 2.2 for further detail.

** Refer note 8.4 for further detail.

Recognition and measurement

Receivables (inclusive of GST) are recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at cost less

any impairment.

Tower’s premium receivables and reinsurance and other recoveries arise from insurance contracts. These

receivables are impaired if there is objective evidence that Tower will not be able to collect all amounts

due according to the original terms of the receivable.

The remainder of Tower’s receivables are assessed for impairment based on expected credit losses.

Finance lease receivables

Tower entered into a sub-lease for its previous Auckland premises. The sub-lease is for the remaining non-

cancellable term of the head lease and therefore is classified as a finance lease. The profile of the net receipts

is illustrated in the table below:

2023

$000

2022

$000

Less than one year 345 2,074

Between one and five years–347

Total undiscounted finance lease receivable 345 2,421

Unearned finance income(1)(46)

Net investment in the finance lease 344 2,375

ANNUAL REPORT 202379

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

2.8 Payables
Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Trade payables 11,102 14,672

GST payable 27,923 25,951

EQC & Fire and Emergency New Zealand levies payable 16,782 11,583

Reinsurance premium payable 12,746 3,696

Other 5,252 3,009

Payable to discontinued operations* 3,227 –

Payables 77,032 58,911

Payable within 12 months 77,032 58,911

Payable in greater than 12 months – –

Payables 77,032 58,911

* Refer note 8.4 for further detail.

Recognition and measurement

Payables are recognised where goods or services that have been received or supplied and have been

invoiced or formally agreed with the supplier. Payables are stated at the fair value of the consideration to

be paid in the future inclusive of GST. GST payable represents the net amount payable to the respective

tax authorities.

2.9 Provisions

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Annual leave and other employee benefits 5,737 8,219

Customer remediation* 7,086 3,654

Provisions 12,823 11,873

Payable within 12 months 11,762 10,716

Payable in greater than 12 months 1,061 1,157

Provisions 12,823 11,873

* A customer remediation provision of $3.7m was first recognised at 30 September 2022. During the current year, the estimated

cost of remediation was re-assessed. A range of possible outcomes was considered, and a mid-point of the re-assessment has

resulted in an additional $8.1m being recognised in the current period, which has been offset by payments made during the

period. The resulting provision allows for amounts to be repaid to customers and costs associated with any potential regulatory

action. The remediation activities are likely to be completed during FY24.

Recognition and measurement

Tower recognises a provision when it has a present obligation as a result of a past event and it is more

likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation. Tower’s provision

represents the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of

the reporting period.

2.10 Assets backing insurance liabilities

Tower has determined that all assets within its insurance companies are held to back insurance liabilities,

with the exception of: (i) property, plant and equipment; (ii) right-of-use assets, (iii) intangible assets,

(iv) deferred tax; and (v) investments in operating subsidiaries. Assets backing insurance liabilities are

managed in accordance with approved investment mandate agreements on a fair value basis and are

reported to the Board on that basis.

ANNUAL REPORT 202380

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

3.2 Investments
Tower designates its investments at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with its Treasury policy.

It categorises its investments into three levels based on the inputs available to measure fair value:

Level 1 Fair value is calculated using quoted prices in active markets. Tower currently does not have any

Level 1 investments.

Level 2 Investment valuations are based on direct or indirect observable data other than quoted

prices included in Level 1. Level 2 inputs include: (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities;

(2) quoted prices for assets or liabilities that are not traded in an active market; or (3) other

observable market data that can be used for valuation purposes. Tower investments included

in this category include government and corporate debt, where the market is considered to

be lacking sufficient depth to be considered active, and part ownership of a property that is

rented out to staff.

Level 3 Investment valuation is based on unobservable market data. Tower currently does not have any

Level 3 investments.

LEVEL 1

$000

LEVEL 2

$000

LEVEL 3

$000

TOTAL

$000

As at 30 September 2023

Fixed interest investments – 258,764 – 258,764

Property investment – 34 – 34

Investments – 258,798 – 258,798

As at 30 September 2022

Fixed interest investments – 258,600 – 258,600

Property investment – 34 – 34

Investments – 258,634 – 258,634

There have been no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the current financial period

(2022: nil).

3 Investments and other income

Tower invests funds collected as premiums and provided by shareholders to ensure it can meet its

obligations to pay claims and expenses and to generate a return to support its profitability. Tower has

a low risk tolerance and therefore the majority of its investments are in investment grade supranational

and government bonds, and term deposits.

3.1 Investment income

2023

$000

2022

$000

Interest income12,871 6,815

Net realised gain/(loss)1,173 (2,026)

Net unrealised gain/(loss)583 (3,309)

Investment income 14,627 1,480

Recognition and measurement

Tower’s investment income is primarily made up of realised and unrealised interest income on fixed

interest investments and fair value gains or losses on its investment assets. Both are recognised in the

period that they are earned through profit or loss.

ANNUAL REPORT 202381

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Tower’s investment assets are designated at fair value through profit or loss. Investment assets are

initially recognised at fair value and are remeasured to fair value through profit or loss at each reporting

date. Tower’s approach to measuring the fair value of these assets is covered above.

Purchases and sales of investments are recognised at the date which Tower commits to buy or sell

the assets (i.e. trade date). Investments are derecognised when the rights to receive future cash flows

from the assets have expired, or have been transferred, and substantially all the risks and rewards of

ownership have transferred.

3.3 Other income

2023

$000

2022

$000

Agency fees*3,574 715

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment1,243 16

Other910 573

Other income 5,727 1,304

* Agency fees include fees received for managing claims on behalf of EQC.

3.2 Investments (continued)

4 Risk Management

Tower is exposed to multiple risks as it works to set things right for its customers and their communities

whilst maximising returns for its shareholders. Everyone across the organisation is responsible for

ensuring that Tower’s risks are managed and controlled on a day-to-day basis.

4.1 Risk management overview

Tower’s approach to achieving effective risk management is to embed a risk-aware culture where everyone

across the organisation (including contractors and third parties) is responsible for managing risk.

Tower’s Board expresses its appetite for risk in a Risk Appetite Statement, which:

(i) Gives clear concise guidance to management of parameters for risk taking.

(ii) Embeds risk management into strategic and decision-making processes.

(iii) Facilitates risk to be managed at all levels of the organisation through a structured process to identify

risk, and the allocation of clear, personal responsibility for management of identified risks by assigned risk

owners.

The Board then approves and adopts: (i) the Risk Management Framework (RMF) which is the central document

that explains how Tower effectively manages risk within the business; and (ii) the Reinsurance Management

Strategy (ReMS) which describes the systems, structures, and processes which collectively ensures Tower’s

reinsurance arrangements and operations are prudently managed. These documents are reviewed and

approved at least annually by the Board.

The Board has delegated its responsibility to the Risk Committee to provide oversight of risk management

practices and provide advice to the Board and management when required. In addition, the Risk Committee

also monitors the effectiveness of Tower’s risk management function which is overseen by the Chief Risk Officer

(CRO). The CRO provides regular reports to the Risk Committee on the operation of the RMF.

Tower has embedded the RMF with clear accountabilities and risk ownership to ensure that Tower identifies,

manages, mitigates and reports on all key risks and controls through the three lines of defence model.

(i) First line: Operational management has ownership, responsibility and accountability for directly identifying,

assessing, controlling and mitigating key risks which prevent them from achieving business objectives.

(ii) Second Line: Tower’s Risk, Compliance and Conduct Function is responsible for developing and

implementing effective risk, compliance and conduct management processes; providing advisory support

to the first line of defence and constructively challenging operational management and risk and obligation

owners to ensure positive assurance.

ANNUAL REPORT 202382

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

(iii) Third line: Internal Audit is responsible and accountable for providing an independent and objective view
of the adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s risk management, governance and internal control

framework. Internal audit, along with other groups such as external audit, report independently to the

Board and/or the Audit Committee.

The RMF is supported by a suite of policies that address the risks and compliance obligations covered in

this section.

4.2 Strategic risk

Strategic risk is the risk that internal or external factors compromise Tower’s ability to execute its strategy or

achieve its strategic objectives. Strategic risk is managed through:

(i) Monitoring and managing performance against Board-approved plan and targets.

(ii) Board leading an annual strategy and planning process which considers our performance, competitor

positioning and strategic opportunities.

(iii) Identifying and managing emerging risks using established governance processes and forums.

4.3 Insurance risk

Insurance risk is the risk that for any class of risk insured, the present value of actual claims payable will exceed

the present value of actual premium revenues generated (net of reinsurance). This risk is inherent in Tower’s

operations and arises and manifests through underwriting, insurance concentration and reserving risk.

a. Underwriting risk

Underwriting risk refers to the risk that claims arising are higher (or lower) than assumed in pricing due to bad

experience including catastrophes, weakness in controls over underwriting or portfolio management, or claims

management issues. Tower has established the following key controls to mitigate this risk:

(i) Use of comprehensive management information systems and actuarial models to price products based

on historical claims frequencies and claims severity averages, adjusted for inflation and modelled

catastrophes, trended forward to recognise anticipated changes in claims patterns after making allowance

for other costs incurred by the Group.

(ii) Passing elements of insurance risk to reinsurers. Tower’s Board determines a maximum level of risk to be

retained by the Group as a whole.

Tower’s reinsurance programme is structured to adequately protect the solvency and capital positions of

the insurance business. The adequacy of reinsurance cover is modelled by assessing Tower’s exposure

under a range of scenarios. The plausible scenario that has the most financial significance for Tower

is a major Wellington earthquake. Each year, as part of setting the coming year’s reinsurance cover,

comprehensive modelling of the event probability and amount of the Group’s exposure is undertaken.

4.1 Risk management overview (continued)

(iii) Underwriting limits are in place to enforce appropriate risk selection criteria and pricing with specific

underwriting authorities that set clear parameters for the business acceptance.

b. Concentration risk

Concentration risk refers to the risk of underwriting a number of like risks, where the same or similar loss events

have the potential to produce claims from many of Tower’s customers at the same time. Tower is particularly

subject to concentration risks in the following variety of forms:

(i) Geographic concentration risk - Tower purchases a catastrophe reinsurance programme to protect against

a modelled 1-in-1000 years whole of portfolio catastrophe loss.

(ii) Product concentration risk - Tower’s business is weighted towards the NZ general insurance market where its

risks are concentrated in house insurance (Home & Contents) and motor insurance. Tower limits its exposure

through proportional reinsurance arrangements, where Tower transfers its exposure on any single insured

asset (for example, a house) above a set amount, in exchange for ceding portion of the premium to reinsurers.

The table below illustrates the diversity of Tower’s operations.

Gross written premium 20232022

NZPACIFIC*TOTALNZPACIFIC*TOTAL

Home & Contents51%3%54%52%3%55%

Motor38%3%41%35%3%38%

Commercial1%3%4%1%4%5%

Liability0%0%0%1%0%1%

Workers compensation0%0%0%0%0%0%

Other1%0%1%1%0%1%

Total91%9%100%90%10%100%

* The Pacific operating segment excludes the disposal groups and the prior year comparatives have been re-presented

accordingly.

Tower has limited exposure to long-tail classes (which comprises part of “liability” and “workers compensation”).

Long-tail classes have increased uncertainty of the ultimate cost of claims due to the additional period of time

to settlement.

c. Reserving risk

Reserving risk is managed through the actuarial valuation of insurance liabilities and monitoring of the

probability of adequacy booked reserves. The valuation of the net central estimate is performed by qualified

and experienced actuaries. The central estimate is subject to a comprehensive review at least annually.

ANNUAL REPORT 202383

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

4.4 Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of loss that arises when a counterparty fails to meet their financial obligations to Tower

in accordance with the agreed terms. Tower’s exposure to credit risk primarily results from transactions with

security issuers, reinsurers and policyholders and is set out below.

a. Investment and treasury

Tower manages its investment and treasury credit risks in line with limits set by the Board:

(i) New Zealand cash deposits that are internally managed are limited to banks with a minimum Standard &

Poor’s (S&P) AA- credit rating.

(ii) Cash deposits and investments that are managed by external investment managers are limited to

counterparties with a minimum credit rating equivalent to S&P A- credit rating.

(iii) Tower holds deposits and invests in Pacific regional investment markets through its Pacific Island

operations to comply with local statutory requirements and in accordance with Tower investment policies.

These deposits and investments generally have low credit ratings representing the majority of the value

included in the ‘Below BBB’ and ‘not rated’ categories in the table below. This includes deposits and

investments with Australian bank subsidiaries that comprise 45% (2022: 55%) of the ‘not rated’ category.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSFIXED INTEREST INVESTMENTSTOTAL

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

AAA – – 104,646 119,198 104,646 119,198

AA 47,992 66,228 113,971 110,957 161,963 177,185

A – – 38,137 24,399 38,137 24,399

BBB – – – – – –

Below BBB 11,917 1,614 1,322 2,009 13,239 3,623

Not rated 4,100 16,660 722 2,071 4,822 18,731

Total 64,009 84,502 258,798 258,634 322,807 343,136

b. Reinsurance

Tower manages its reinsurance programme in line with the ReMS. Tower seeks to manage the quantum and

volatility of insurance risk in order to reduce exposure and overall cost.

Tower’s policy is to only deal with reinsurers with a credit rating of S&P A- or better unless local statutory

requirements dictate otherwise. Additional requirements of the policy are for no individual reinsurer to have

more than 25% share of the overall programme and Tower is prohibited from offering inwards reinsurance to

external entities. The following table provides details on Tower’s exposure to reinsurance recoveries:

REINSURANCE ON:

OUTSTANDING CLAIMSPAID CLAIMSTOTAL

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

AAA – – – – – –

AA 61,759 5,830 15,474 2,929 77,233 8,759

A 57,295 8,319 10,677 2,220 67,972 10,539

BBB 9 9 (1) – 8 9

Below BBB 75 102 2 3 77 105

Not rated18 220 4 2 22 222

Total 119,156 14,480 26,156 5,154 145,312 19,634

ANNUAL REPORT 202384

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

The following table provides further information regarding the ageing of reinsurance recoveries on paid claims
at the balance date.

PAST DUE

NOT DUE

$000

1 MONTH

$000

1 TO 2

MONTHS

$000

2 TO 3

MONTHS

$000

OVER 3

MONTHS

$000

TOTAL

$000

As at 30 September 2023

Reinsurance recoveries on

paid claims 26,156 – – – – 26,156

As at 30 September 2022

Reinsurance recoveries on

paid claims 5,154 – – – – 5,154

c. Premium receivable

Tower’s premium receivable balance primarily relates to policies which are paid on either a fortnightly or

monthly basis. Payment default or policy cancellation - subject to the terms of the policyholder’s contract -

will result in the termination of the insurance contract eliminating both the credit risk and the insurance risk.

PAST DUE

NOT DUE*

$000

1 MONTH

$000

1 TO 2

MONTHS

$000

2 TO 3

MONTHS

$000

OVER 3

MONTHS

$000

TOTAL

$000

As at 30 September 2023

Net premium receivable 237,736 4,375 270 844 50 243,275

As at 30 September 2022

Net premium receivable 192,464 5,933 1,188 384 95 200,064

* This includes premiums that are less than 30 days outstanding (which are owed but not past due) of $4.3m (2022: $4.0m).

4.5 Market risk

Market risk is the risk of adverse impacts on investment earnings resulting from changes in market factors.

Tower’s market risk is predominately as a result of changes in the value of the New Zealand dollar (currency

risk) and interest rate movements. Tower’s approach to managing market risk is underpinned by its Treasury

Policy as approved by the Board.

a. Currency risk

Tower’s currency exposure arises from the translation of foreign operations into Tower’s functional currency

(currency translation risk) or due to transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency

of a controlled entity (operational currency risk). The currencies giving rise to this risk are primarily the US dollar,

Fijian dollar and Papua New Guinea (PNG) kina.

Tower’s principal currency risk is currency translation (where currency movements impact equity). Tower

generally elects not to hedge this risk as it is difficult given the size and nature of the currency markets in the

Pacific. Tower seeks to minimise its net exposure to foreign operational risk by actively seeking to return surplus

cash and capital to the parent company.

Operational currency risk impacts profit and generally arises from:

(i) Procurement of goods and services denominated in foreign currencies. Tower may enter into hedges for

future transactions, using authorised instruments, provided that the timing and amount of those future

transactions can be estimated with a reasonable degree of certainty.

(ii) Investment assets managed by the external investment manager that are denominated in foreign

currencies. Tower’s Board set limits for the management of currency risk based on prudent asset

management practice. Regular reviews are conducted to ensure that these limits are adhered to.

The following table demonstrates the impact of the New Zealand dollar weakening or strengthening

against the most significant currencies for which Tower has foreign exchange exposure holding all other

variables constant.

4.4 Credit risk (continued)

b. Reinsurance (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202385

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

DIRECT IMPACT ON
EQUITY THROUGH CURRENCY

TRANSLATION RESERVEIMPACT ON PROFIT OR (LOSS)

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

New Zealand Dollar - USD

Currency strengthens by 10%(1,025)(793)42113

Currency weakens by 10%1,253969(51)(138)

New Zealand Dollar - Fijian Dollar

Currency strengthens by 10%(887)(854)(74)(74)

Currency weakens by 10%1,0841,0449190

New Zealand Dollar - PNG Kina

Currency strengthens by 10% – (629)(805)44

Currency weakens by 10% – 769984(54)

4.5 Market risk (continued)

a. Currency risk (continued)

b. Interest rate risk

Tower is exposed to interest rate risk through its holdings in interest-bearing assets. Interest-bearing assets

with a floating interest rate expose Tower to cash flow interest rate risk, whereas fixed interest investments

expose Tower to fair value interest rate risk.

Tower’s interest rate risk primarily arises from fluctuations in the valuation of fixed-interest investments

recognised at fair value and from the underwriting of general insurance contracts, which have interest rate

exposure due to the use of discount rates in calculating the value of insurance liabilities.

Fixed-interest investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss. Movements in interest rates impact

the fair value of interest-bearing financial assets and therefore impact profit or loss (there is no direct impact on

equity). The impact of a 1% increase or decrease in interest rates on fixed interest investments is shown below

(holding everything else constant).

IMPACT ON PROFIT OR (LOSS)

2023

$000

2022

$000

Interest rates increase by 1% (1,652)(1,617)

Interest rates decrease by 1%1,7261,690

Tower manages its interest rate risk through Board-approved investment management guidelines that give regard

to policyholder expectations and risks, and to target surplus for solvency as advised by the Appointed Actuary.

ANNUAL REPORT 202386

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

4.6 Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk arises where liabilities cannot be met as they fall due as a result of insufficient funds and/or

illiquid asset portfolios. Tower mitigates this risk through maintaining sufficient liquid assets to ensure that

it can meet all obligations on a timely basis.

Tower is primarily exposed to liquidity risk through its obligations to make payment for claims of unknown

amounts on unknown dates. Fixed-interest investments can generally be readily sold or exchanged for cash

to settle claims and are managed in accordance with the policy of broadly matching the overall maturity profile

to the estimated pattern of claim payments. This is illustrated in the table below:

NET OUTSTANDING CLAIMS LIABILITYCASH AND INVESTMENTS

2023

$000

2022

$000

2023

$000

2022

$000

Floating interest rate (at call) – – 89,909 84,649

Within 3 months 53,220 45,224 28,682 28,181

3 to 6 months 22,629 20,726 30,231 44,940

6 to 12 months 20,214 18,969 61,661 55,407

After 12 months 25,378 25,532 112,324 129,959

Total 121,441 110,451 322,807 343,136

4.7 Capital management risk

Capital risk is the risk that capital is insufficient or not of the best form to provide a buffer against losses arising

from unanticipated events, while also maximising the efficient use of capital with a view to enhancing growth

and returns, and adding long-term value to Tower’s shareholders.

Tower has a documented description of its capital management process which sets out Tower’s principles,

approaches, and processes in relation to capital management that enables it to operate at an appropriate level

of target solvency capital which is within the bounds of Tower’s risk appetite.

The capital management process allows the Board, management, rating agencies and the regulator to

understand Tower’s approach to capital management, including requirements for formulating capital targets,

and monitoring, reporting and remediating capital as required.

The operation of the capital management process is reported annually to the Board together with a forward-

looking estimate of expected capital utilisation and capital resilience. In addition, Tower carries out stress,

reverse stress and scenario testing to ensure the level of capital is appropriate given its risk appetite.

a. Regulatory solvency capital

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is the prudential regulator and supervisor of all insurers carrying on

insurance business in New Zealand, and is responsible for administering the Insurance (Prudential Supervision)

Act 2010. Tower measures the adequacy of capital against the Solvency Standards for Non-life Insurance

Business published by the RBNZ alongside additional capital held to meet RBNZ minimum requirements and

any further capital as determined by the Board.

Foreign operations are subject to regulatory oversight in the relevant jurisdiction. It is Tower’s policy to ensure

that each of the licenced insurers in the Group maintain an adequate capital position within the requirements of

the relevant regulator.

During the year ended 30 September 2023 the Group complied with all externally imposed capital

requirements (2022: complied).

Tower Limited’s Group and Parent solvency margin are illustrated in the table below.

2023

$000

2022

$000

PARENTGROUPPARENTGROUP

Actual solvency capital 145,421 174,734 136,423 171,647

Minimum solvency capital 91,634 99,729 66,530 79,018

Solvency margin* 53,787 75,005 69,893 92,629

Solvency ratio159%175%205%217%

* Tower is required to maintain a solvency margin of at least $15m (2022: $15m), due to a license condition issued by the RBNZ. .

In October 2020, the RBNZ commenced consultation on a review of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act

2010. As part of the overall process, the RBNZ issued an exposure draft on an interim solvency standard (ISS) in

July 2021 which anticipated the introduction of NZ IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (IFRS 17). The ISS was issued in

October 2022, amended in June 2023 and RBNZ has been consulting on further changes to the ISS between

September and November 2023.

Tower will apply the RBNZ’s new ISS from 1 October 2023.  The ISS will impose some changes that will impact

solvency margins. Due to the ongoing RBNZ consultation, Tower cannot yet determine the final impacts of the

ISS on solvency margins.

ANNUAL REPORT 202387

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

b. Capital composition
The balance sheet capital mix at reporting date is shown in the table below:

2023

$000

2022

$000

Total equity attributed to shareholders 300,265 317,528

c. Financial strength rating

Tower Limited has an insurer financial strength rating of “A- (Excellent)” and a long-term issuer credit rating of

“a-” as affirmed by international rating agency AM Best Company Inc. in April 2023.

4.8 Operational risk

Operational risk is the risk of loss due to inadequate or failed internal processes or systems, human error or

from external events.

Tower’s approach is to proactively manage our operational risks to mitigate potential customer detriment,

regulatory or legal censure, financial and reputational impacts.

Tower has in place appropriate operational processes and systems, including prevention and detection

measures. These include processes which seek to ensure Tower can absorb and/or adapt to internal or

external occurrences that could disrupt business operations.

Management and staff are responsible for identifying, assessing, recording and managing operational risks

in accordance with their roles and responsibilities. Associated controls for identified risks are recorded and

then actively monitored and managed through our enterprise risk management system (ERMS). Incidents are

managed by the first line of defence and overseen by the second line of defence, with ongoing reporting to

management and the Board Risk Committee.

Tower also maintains and regularly updates its Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

Plans to minimise the impact of material incidents or crisis events and to support continuity of critical systems

and processes.

4.9 Regulatory and compliance risk

Regulatory and compliance risk is defined as the risk of legal, regulatory or reputational impacts arising

from failure to manage compliance obligations, or failure to anticipate and prepare for changes in the

regulatory environment.

Tower, via its ERMS, has in place an obligations management framework. The framework provides operational

and managerial oversight of applicable and relevant regulatory compliance obligations to Tower and supports

Tower in discharging its obligations under legislation across NZ & the Pacific.

Tower engages with regulators and regularly monitors developments in regulatory requirements to support

ongoing compliance.

4.10 Conduct risk

Conduct risk is defined as the risk that conduct may contribute to poor outcomes for customers.

Tower manages Conduct risk through a number of measures including undertaking ongoing product reviews

to ensure products are delivering good customer outcomes, reviewing customer feedback to identify conduct

trends or issues, completing quality assurance reviews, managing vulnerable customers, holding workshops

with frontline staff to identify potential conduct issues and embedding and monitoring controls across the

business to deliver fair customer outcomes.

Tower’s approach to managing conduct risk is set out in its Conduct Governance Framework. The framework

is a collation of policies, frameworks and processes and ensures there’s robust governance in place to oversee

Tower’s conduct risk profile including reporting to the Management and Board Committees.

4.11 Cyber risk

Cyber risk is any risk associated with financial loss, disruption or damage to the reputation of Tower resulting

from either the failure, or unauthorised or erroneous use of its information systems.

Tower’s approach to Cyber risk is to proactively protect against, monitor for and respond to those cyber threats

seen to be targeting the organisation. Tower continues to monitor evolving key cyber risks, which are discussed

and reviewed on a monthly basis through our Management Risk and Conduct Committee and on a quarterly

basis with the Risk Committee. Risk mitigation is achieved through ongoing investment in Tower’s security

programme and Tower’s dedicated security function.

4.7 Capital management risk (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202388

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

4.12 Climate change risk
Climate change risk is the risk associated with the unpredictable nature and impacts of weather events which

may increase in frequency and severity over time due to changes in climate.

Tower’s RMF considers environmental and emerging risks, which are regularly reported to the Board. Tower’s

approach to managing climate change risk includes leading the insurance market by continuing to expand

our risk-based pricing strategy for climate-related hazards, maintaining a robust reinsurance programme

to provide protection from volatility in weather events, planning for increasing large events over time in our

budget process to limit financial impacts, and supporting communities through climate change via product

development.

We note that in the financial year Tower experienced several catastrophe events which may be linked to

climate change. January’s Auckland and upper North Island weather event, Cyclone Gabrielle in February,

Cyclones Judy and Kevin in Vanuatu in March, and the Auckland floods on 9 May had a net impact to Tower of

$38m, excluding reinsurance reinstatement. Tower’s liabilities include provision for outstanding claims arising

from these events.

Other than the impact on outstanding claims liabilities, Tower considers that climate change risk does not

materially impact the valuation of Tower’s assets and liabilities, where these assets or liabilities are expected to

be realised in one year or less. For non-current assets, Tower has looked to its short-medium term forecasting,

which implicitly includes allowances for the risk of climate change in forecasts of the severity and frequency

of future claims, including large events. These forecasts show continued profitability for Tower, which supports

the carrying value of non-current assets. Accordingly, Tower does not consider that climate change risk has a

material impact on the assets and liabilities recorded in these financial statements, as at 30 September 2023.

5 Capital Structure

This section provides information about how Tower finances its operations through equity. Tower’s capital

position provides financial security to its customers, employees and other stakeholders whilst operating

within the capital requirements set by regulators.

5.1 Contributed equity

2023

$000

2022

$000

Opening balance460,191 492,424

Return of share capital to shareholders* – (30,634)

Purchase of non-controlling interests** – (1,599)

Share rights issued under Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan ***124 –

Total contributed equity460,315 460,191

Represented by:

Opening balance379,483,987 421,647,258

Cancellation of shares on return of capital – (42,163,271)

Total shares on issue379,483,987 379,483,987

* On 9 March 2022 the Group completed its ordinary share buy-back for a consideration of $30.6m (including transaction costs).

This resulted in 42.2m shares being cancelled during the year ended 30 September 2022.

** On 14 October 2021 Tower Limited reached an agreement to increase its shareholding in National Pacific Insurance Limited from

71.39% to 93.88% for a consideration of $3.4m. Tower Limited subsequently carried out a process to acquire the remaining 6.12%

shareholding which completed on 17 December 2021 for a consideration of $0.9m.

*** Refer note 8.5 for further detail.

Ordinary shares issued by the Company are classified as equity and are recognised at fair value less direct issue

costs. All shares rank equally with one vote attached to each share. There is no par value for each share.

ANNUAL REPORT 202389

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

5.2 Reserves
2023

$000

2022

$000

Opening balance(2,148)(6,082)

Currency translation differences arising during the year(943)3,934

Foreign currency translation reserve(3,091)(2,148)

Opening balance1,707 1,707

Revaluation surplus transferred to retained earnings(1,707) –

Asset revaluation reserve – 1,707

Capital reserve11,990 11,990

Separation reserve*(113,000)(113,000)

Reserves(104,101)(101,451)

* The separation reserve was created in 2007 at the time of the demerger of the New Zealand and Australian businesses in

accordance with a ruling provided by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). It will be carried forward indefinitely as a non-equity reserve

to meet the requirements of the ATO.

Recognition and measurement

The assets and liabilities of entities whose functional currency is not the New Zealand dollar are

translated at the exchange rates ruling at balance date. Income and expense items are translated at a

weighted average of exchange rates over the period approximating spot rates at the transaction dates.

Exchange rate differences are taken to the foreign currency translation reserve.

Tower’s land and buildings are valued at fair value less accumulated depreciation. Any surplus on

revaluation of these items is transferred directly to the asset revaluation reserve unless it offsets a

previous decrease in value recognised in profit or loss in which case it is recognised in the consolidated

statement of comprehensive income.

5.3 Net tangible assets per share

2023

CENTS

2022

CENTS

Net tangible assets per share 49 55

Net tangible assets per share have been calculated using the net assets as per the balance sheet adjusted for

intangible assets (including goodwill) and deferred tax assets divided by total shares on issue.

5.4 Earnings per share

20232022

Profit from continuing operations attributable to shareholders

($ thousands)

2,352 17,441

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations attributable to shareholders

($ thousands)

(3,580)1,362

Weighted average number of ordinary shares for basic and diluted

earnings per share (number of shares)

379,483,987 397,851,001

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents) for continuing operations0.6 4.4

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents)(0.3)4.7

The basic and diluted average numbers of ordinary shares shown above are used for calculating all earnings

per share measures including those for profit after tax from discontinued operations (note 8.4).

5.5 Dividends

Tower’s Board has determined that no interim or final dividend will be paid in respect of the 2023 financial year.

On 1 February 2023, Tower paid a final dividend in respect of the 2022 financial year of 4.0 cents per share

(2022: a final dividend of 2.5 cents per share was paid in respect of the 2021 financial year and an interim

dividend was paid in respect of the 2022 financial year of 2.5 cents per share).

ANNUAL REPORT 202390

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

6 Other balance sheet items
This section provides information about assets and liabilities not included elsewhere.

6.1 Property, plant and equipment

30 September 2023

LAND AND

BUILDINGS

$000

OFFICE

EQUIPMENT &

FURNITURE

$000

MOTOR

VEHICLES

$000

COMPUTER

EQUIPMENT

$000

TOTAL

$000

Composition:

Cost – 6,052 1,702 3,587 11,341

Accumulated depreciation – (1,929)(1,094)(2,038)(5,061)

Property, plant and equipment – 4,123 608 1,549 6,280

Reconciliation:

Opening balance – 2,244 970 2,203 5,417

Depreciation – (496)(316)(1,102)(1,914)

Additions – 2,489 – 480 2,969

Disposals – (71) – (16)(87)

Foreign exchange movements – 14 (18)(10)(14)

Assets reclassified as held for sale* – (57)(28)(6)(91)

Closing Balance – 4,123 608 1,549 6,280

* Assets reclassified as held for sale include the assets of discontinued operations (2022: the Suva building ($4.5m) and assets of

discontinued operations). Refer to note 8.4.

30 September 2022

LAND AND

BUILDINGS

$000

OFFICE

EQUIPMENT &

FURNITURE

$000

MOTOR

VEHICLES

$000

COMPUTER

EQUIPMENT

$000

TOTAL

$000

Composition:

Cost – 4,547 1,949 5,237 11,733

Accumulated depreciation – (2,303)(979)(3,034)(6,316)

Property, plant and equipment – 2,244 970 2,203 5,417

Reconciliation:

Opening balance4,102 1,968 769 2,535 9,374

Depreciation – (422)(288)(1,577)(2,287)

Additions – 814 500 1,277 2,591

Disposals – (85) – (4)(89)

Foreign exchange movements456 (23)15 (23)425

Assets reclassified as held for sale*(4,558)(8)(26)(5)(4,597)

Closing Balance – 2,244 970 2,203 5,417

* Assets reclassified as held for sale include the assets of discontinued operations (2022: the Suva building ($4.5m) and assets of

discontinued operations). Refer to note 8.4.

Recognition and measurement

Property, plant and equipment is initially recorded at cost including transaction costs and subsequently

measured at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight line method to allocate the asset’s cost or revalued

amounts, net of any residual amounts, over their useful lives. The assets’ useful lives are reviewed and

adjusted if appropriate at each balance date. An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to

its recoverable amount if it is considered that the carrying amount is greater than its recoverable amount.

Furniture & fittings 5-9 years

Leasehold property improvements 3-12 years

Motor vehicles 5 years

Computer equipment 3-5 years

Land and buildings are shown at fair value, based on periodic valuations by external independent

appraisers less subsequent depreciation for buildings. Any accumulated depreciation at the date of

revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount is restated to

the revalued amount of the asset.

ANNUAL REPORT 202391

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

6.2 Intangible assets
a. Amounts recognised in the balance sheet

30 September 2023

GOODWILL

$000

SOFTWARE

$000

CUSTOMER

RELATIONSHIPS

$000

TOTAL

$000

Composition:

Cost17,744 94,215 40,645 152,604

Accumulated amortisation – (36,889)(17,191)(54,080)

Intangible Assets17,744 57,326 23,454 98,524

Reconciliation:

Opening balance17,744 53,458 23,451 94,653

Amortisation – (11,430)(5,897)(17,327)

Additions* – 17,526 5,900 23,426

Disposals – (256) – (256)

Transfers to property,

plant and equipment

– (1,972) – (1,972)

Closing Balance17,744 57,326 23,454 98,524

* During the year ended 30 September 2023, additions to software assets primarily related to continued investment in Tower’s

core insurance platform, while additions to customer relationships related to the acquisition of Kiwibank’s rights and obligations

relating to servicing a portfolio of insurance policies underwritten by Tower.


30 September 2022

GOODWILL

$000

SOFTWARE

$000

CUSTOMER

RELATIONSHIPS

$000

TOTAL

$000

Composition:

Cost17,744 79,259 34,745 131,748

Accumulated amortisation – (25,801)(11,294)(37,095)

Intangible Assets17,744 53,458 23,451 94,653

Reconciliation:

Opening balance17,744 48,527 22,321 88,592

Amortisation – (9,764)(4,959)(14,723)

Additions ** – 16,934 6,089 23,023

Disposals – (184) – (184)

Transfers to property,

plant and equipment

– (2,055) – (2,055)

Closing Balance17,74453,45823,45194,653

** In the year ended 30 September 2022, additions to software assets primarily related to continued investment in Tower’s core

insurance platform, while additions to customer relationships related to the acquisition of Westpac’s and TSB Bank’s rights

and obligations relating to servicing the insurance polices of two further groups of customers already underwritten by Tower.

The amounts capitalised includes the price paid and associated acquisition/migration costs. The assets will be amortised over

10 years (for other customer relationships), with the pattern of amortisation being aligned with expected net cashflow benefits

over this period.

ANNUAL REPORT 202392

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Intangible assets are assets without physical substance. They are recognised as an asset if they are

controlled by Tower and if it is probable that expected future economic benefits attributable to the asset

will flow to Tower and that costs can be measured reliably.

Application software and customer relationships are recorded at cost less accumulated amortisation and

impairment. Application software is amortised on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of

the software. Customer relationships are amortised over the estimated useful life in accordance with the

pattern of economic benefit consumption.

Internally generated intangible assets are recorded at cost which comprise all directly attributable costs

necessary to create, produce and prepare the asset to be capable of operating in the manner intended

by management. Amortisation of internally generated intangible assets begins when the asset is

available for use and is amortised on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life.

The useful lives for each category of intangible assets with a finite life are as follows:

- capitalised software: 3-5 years for general use computer software and 3-10 years for core operating

system software

- customer relationships: 5-10 years

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) arrangements are service contracts providing Tower with the right to

access a cloud provider’s application software over a stated time period. Costs the Group incurs to

configure, customise and maintain access to providers’ application software are recognised as operating

expenses when incurred and in accordance with contracted terms.

Goodwill (i.e. assets with an indefinite useful life) generated as a result of business acquisition is initially

measured as the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the net identifiable assets

and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually or

more frequently where there are indicators of impairment.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The customer relationships asset predominantly consists of customer relationship assets with a useful

life equivalent to the customer base’s expected lifespan of ten years with the exception of one asset

(acquired in 2021) with an additional non-compete component that has a contracted useful life of

five years.

Where applicable the estimated capitalised cost related to the customer relationships asset has been

apportioned between the two asset components by valuing the non-compete at the differential in net

present value of the asset from improved customer retention over the non-compete period, pro-rated

over the full asset value.

b. Impairment testing

An impairment charge is recognised in profit or loss when the carrying value of the asset, or cash-generating

unit (CGU), exceeds the calculated recoverable amount.

(i) Software and customer relationships

Software and customer relationships are reviewed at each reporting date by determining whether there is an

indication that the carrying values may be impaired. If an indication exists, the asset is tested for impairment.

A loss is recognised for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the asset’s recoverable value.

There were no indications of impairment during the year and therefore these assets were not tested for

impairment (2022: no indications).

6.2 Intangible assets (continued)

a. Amounts recognised in the balance sheet (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202393

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The recoverable amount for software and customer relationships is determined by reference to a value

in use calculation based on (i) cash flow forecasts that combine past experience with future expectations

based on prevailing and anticipated market factors; and (ii) a discount rate that appropriately reflects the

time value of money and the specific risks associated with the assets.

Value-in-use calculations involve the use of accounting estimates and assumptions to determine

the projected net cash flows, which are discounted using an appropriate discount rate to reflect

current market assessment of the risks associated with the assets. An impairment charge for capitalised

software is incurred where there is evidence that the economic performance of the asset is not as

intended by management. Customer relationships represent the present value of future benefits

expected to arise from existing customer relationships. The assumptions for the useful life are based

on historical information.

(ii) Goodwill

Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested annually for impairment or more frequently

where there is an indication that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Goodwill is allocated to cash generating units (CGUs) based on the expected synergies arising from the

acquisition giving rise to goodwill. Tower’s goodwill is allocated to the New Zealand general insurance CGU.

Tower undertook an annual impairment review and no loss has been recognised in 2023 as a result (2022: nil).

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The recoverable amount of the New Zealand general insurance business is assessed by determining

its value in use by discounting the future cash flows generated from the continuing use of the CGU .

A discount rate of 13.1% was used in the calculation (2022: 14.5%). The cash flows are based on Board-

approved management plans and forecasted profits for FY24 - FY26 (2022: FY23 - FY25). The projected

cash flows are determined based on past performance and management’s expectations for market

developments with a terminal growth rate of 2.5% (2022: 3%).

The overall valuation is sensitive to a range of assumptions including management’s forecasted profits,

the discount rate and the terminal growth rate. Reasonable changes to these assumptions will not result

in an impairment.

6.2 Intangible assets (continued)

b. Impairment testing (continued)

6.3 Leases

a. Amounts recognised in the balance sheet

(i) Right-of-use assets

30 September 2023

OFFICE SPACE

$000

MOTOR VEHICLES

$000

TOTAL

$000

Composition:

Cost30,267 – 30,267

Accumulated depreciation(7,063) – (7,063)

Right-of-use assets23,204 – 23,204

Reconciliation:

Opening balance23,326 – 23,326

Depreciation(4,209) – (4,209)

Additions4,162 – 4,162

Disposals – – –

Revaluations(204) – (204)

Net foreign exchange movements239 – 239

Assets reclassified as held for sale(110) – (110)

Right-of-use assets23,204 – 23,204

30 September 2022

Composition:

Cost26,977 – 26,977

Accumulated depreciation(3,651) – (3,651)

Right-of-use assets23,326 – 23,326

Reconciliation:

Opening balance25,569 8 25,577

Depreciation(2,702)(3)(2,705)

Additions438 – 438

Disposals(37)(5)(42)

Revaluations968 – 968

Net foreign exchange movements(347) – (347)

Assets reclassified as held for sale(563) – (563)

Right-of-use assets23,326 – 23,326

ANNUAL REPORT 202394

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Right-of-use assets are recognised when Tower has the right to use the corresponding assets. Right-

of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the initial measurement of the lease liability adjusted for

any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received; and

indirect costs; and restoration costs. Right-of-use assets are generally depreciated over the shorter of the

asset’s useful life and the lease term on a straight line basis.

(ii) Lease liabilities

2023

$000

2022

$000

Composition:

Current5,477 6,237

Non-current27,138 28,817

Lease liabilities32,615 35,054

Due within 1 year5,477 6,237

Due within 1 to 2 years5,921 4,440

Due within 2 to 5 years12,483 11,990

Due after 5 years11,865 15,876

Discount(3,131)(3,489)

Lease liabilities32,615 35,054

6.3 Leases (continued)

a. Amounts recognised in the balance sheet (continued)

Recognition and measurement

Lease liabilities are recognised at the date Tower has the right to use the corresponding asset.

Lease liabilities are initially measured as the present value of expected lease payments under lease

arrangements. Lease liability will include any option to extend where it is reasonably certain that the

option will be exercised. The lease payments are discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as

the interest rate in the lease cannot be readily determined. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate

of interest that Tower would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the

funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic

environment. Tower’s incremental borrowing rate is based on bonds issued by financial institutions

with similar credit rating and maturity profile. Incremental borrowing rates used during the year ranged

between 1.9% and 5.9% (2022: between 1.9% and 5.0%).

Subsequent repayments are split between principal and interest cost where the finance cost represents

the time value of money and is charged to the profit or loss over the lease period. The discount rate

applied is unchanged from that applied at the initial recognition of the lease, unless there are material

changes to the lease.

ANNUAL REPORT 202395

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

7 Tax
This section provides information on Tower’s tax expense during the year and its position at balance date.

7.1 Tax expense

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Current tax 1,459 1,159

Deferred tax546 6,593

Adjustments in respect of prior years1,153 292

Tax expense3,158 8,044

Tax expense from continuing operations5,085 7,483

Tax (benefit)/expense from discontinued operations(1,927)561

Reconciliation of prima facie tax to income tax expense

2023

$000

2022

$000

Profit before tax from continuing operations7,437 24,976

(Loss)/profit before tax from discontinued operations(5,507)1,923

Profit before taxation 1,930 26,899

Prima facie tax expense at 28% (2022: 28%)540 7,532

Adjustments in respect of prior years1,153 293

Tax effect of non-deductible expenses and non-taxable

income

679 (732)

Foreign tax credits written off492 371

Other294 580

Tax expense3,158 8,044

b. Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

CLASSIFICATION

2023

$000

2022

$000

Depreciation and impairmentUnderwriting expense(4,027)(2,518)

Interest expenseFinance costs(920)(890)

Gain on disposalOther Income–5

Lease expense(4,947)(3,403)

All amounts in this note exclude discontinued operations, consistent with other profit or loss disclosures.

c. Amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of cash flows

2023

$000

2022

$000

Total cash outflow for lease principal payments for continuing operations(6,845)(5,852)

6.3 Leases (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202396

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Tax expense is calculated on the basis of the applicable tax rates that have been enacted or

substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the jurisdictions Tower operates in. There

have been no tax rate changes during the year in these jurisdictions. Current tax expense relates to tax

payable for the current financial reporting period while deferred tax will be payable in future periods.

7.2 Current tax

a. Current tax asset

2023

$000

2022

$000

Excess tax payments related to prior periods*12,038 12,038

Excess tax payments related to current period**879 1,031

Current tax assets12,917 13,069

* Expected to be recovered from 2025 as per the Board-approved operational plan for 2024 to 2026.

** Excess tax payment made in the Pacific Islands during the reporting period.

b. Current tax liability

The current tax liability balance of $198k (2022: $136k) relates to taxes payable to offshore tax authorities in the

Pacific Islands.

Recognition and measurement

Overpayment of tax in the current and prior periods is recognised as a current tax asset. Current tax

assets are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from the taxation authorities, using the tax

rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

7.1 Tax expense (continued)

7.3 Deferred tax

a. Deferred tax asset

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Tax losses recognised29,411 23,716

Software, property, plant and equipment181 1,989

Leases501 352

Provisions and accruals3,206 5,258

Recognised in profit or loss33,299 31,315

Impact through other comprehensive income – –

Recognised in comprehensive profit or loss33,299 31,315

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities pursuant to NZ IAS 12(18,276)(7,278)

Deferred tax asset15,023 24,037

Deferred tax asset from continuing operations14,971 23,893

Deferred tax asset from discontinued operations52 144

Reconciliation of movements

2023

$000

2022

$000

Opening balance31,315 31,488

Movements recognised in profit or loss1,984 (173)

Deferred tax asset pre NZ IAS 12 set off33,299 31,315

ANNUAL REPORT 202397

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Recognition and measurement
Deferred tax is income tax which is expected to be payable or recoverable in the future as a result of

the unwinding of temporary differences. These arise from differences in the recognition of assets and

liabilities for financial reporting and from the filing of income tax returns. Deferred tax is recognised on all

temporary differences, other than those arising from (i) goodwill or (ii) from the initial recognition of assets

and liabilities in a transaction (other than in a business combination) that affects neither the accounting

nor taxable profit or loss.

At the reporting date, the Group has recognised a deferred tax asset in respect of its unused tax losses of

$105.0m (2022: $84.7m).

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year when the liability is

settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively

enacted at balance date.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current

tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation

authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all unused tax losses to the extent it is probable that taxable

profits will be available against which the losses can be utilised. Significant management judgement

is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised based on the likely

timing and quantum of future taxable profits. Management expects the tax losses to be utilised within the

foreseeable future.

This assessment is completed on the basis of Board-approved management plans and forecasted

profits for Tower Limited and subsidiaries. Tower’s ability to utilise these tax losses depends on the future

profitability, shareholder continuity and no major change in Tower’s business. The enactment of the new

business continuity test in the Income Tax Act 2007 on 30 March 2021 for carrying forward tax losses

means that Tower is able to carry forward its tax losses even if there is a significant shareholding change,

as long as the business continuity test is met.


b. Deferred tax liability

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Deferred acquisition costs(7,829)(7,016)

Customer relationships(5,001)(4,412)

Software, property, plant and equipment(5,447)(4,163)

Other*(47)(203)

Recognised in profit or loss(18,324)(15,794)

Asset revaluation–(290)

Recognised in comprehensive profit or loss(18,324)(16,084)

Set-off of deferred tax liabilities pursuant to NZ IAS 1218,276 7,278

Deferred tax liability(48)(8,806)

* Primarily relates to deferred tax items in the Pacific islands.

Reconciliation of movements

2023

$000

2022

$000

Opening balance(16,084)(9,813)

Movements recognised in other comprehensive income290 148

Movements recognised in profit or loss(2,530)(6,419)

Deferred tax liability pre NZ IAS 12 set off(18,324)(16,084)

7.3 Deferred tax (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 202398

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

7.4 Imputation credits
The Group imputation credit account reflects the imputation credits held by the Company as the representative

member of the Group.

2023

$000

2022

$000

Imputation credits available for use in subsequent reporting periods271271

8 Other information

This section includes additional disclosures which are required by financial reporting standards.

8.1 Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flow

Composition

2023

$000

2022

$000

Cash at bank42,068 54,422

Deposits at call*21,941 30,080

Cash and cash equivalents64,009 84,502

* The average interest rate at 30 September 2023 for deposits at call is 4.65% (2022: 2.89%).

Tower operates in countries in the Pacific Islands that are subject to foreign exchange restrictions, which may

restrict the ability for immediate use of cash by the parent or other subsidiaries. As at 30 September 2023, this

included NZD 8.9m held in Papua New Guinea following the sale of the disposal group (2022: nil). This cash is

not currently available for use by the Group.

ANNUAL REPORT 202399

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

8.2 Related party disclosures
Tower considers key management personnel to consist of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and

executive leadership team. Information regarding individual director and executive compensation is provided in

the Corporate Governance section of the annual report.

2023

$000

2022

$000

Salaries and other short term employee benefits5,511 4,466

Long term benefits536 773

Termination benefits–748

Director fees613 676

Related party remuneration 6,660 6,663

Tower insurance products are available to all key management personnel on the same terms as available to

other employees. In addition, Tower purchases indemnity insurance for all directors both past and present

covering liabilities and legal expenses incurred whilst in office.

The Board has decided to implement a share-based long-term incentive plan with effect from 7 December

2022. Refer note 8.5.

During the year ended 30 September 2022, Tower Limited acquired the minority shareholding of National

Pacific Insurance Limited. Refer note 5.1.

Definition

Key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing

and controlling the activities of the entity, directly or indirectly, including any director (whether executive

or otherwise) of that entity.

Reconciliation of profit for the year to cash flows

from operating activitiesNote

2023

$000

2022

$000

(Loss)/profit after taxation(1,228)18,855

Adjusted for non-cash items

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment6.11,914 2,287

Depreciation and disposals of right-of-use assets6.34,209 2,518

Amortisation of intangible assets6.217,327 14,723

Financing costs928 909

Fair value (gains)/losses on financial assets(1,757)5,337

Change in deferred tax125 6,466

Adjusted for investing activities

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment(1,243)(16)

Gain on disposal of discontinued operation8.4(2,165) –

Impairment loss recognised for disposal group8.4563 –

Adjusted for movements in working capital

Change in receivables(184,698)(30,574)

Change in payables174,860 39,661

Change in taxation1,128 (382)

Net cash inflow from operating activities9,963 59,784

Net cash inflow from operating activities from continuing operations25,107 64,200

Net cash outflow from operating activities from discontinued operations(15,144)(4,416)

8.1 Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flow (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023100

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

8.3 Auditor’s remuneration
2023

$000

2022

$000

Audit of financial statements*748612

Other assurance services**6763

Total fees paid to Group's auditors815675

Fees paid to subsidiaries' auditors different to Group auditors:

Audit of financial statements***1516

Auditors remuneration830691

* Audit of financial statements includes fees for both the audit of annual financial statements and the review of the interim financial

statements. PwC Fiji performs the audits of all overseas incorporated subsidiaries with the support of PwC New Zealand and

other PwC network firms. $125k is paid to other PwC network firms (non New Zealand) for their audit services.

** Other assurance services includes annual solvency return assurance and Pacific Island regulatory return audits. The other

assurance services for the year ended 30 September 2022 were completed during the year ended 30 September 2023.

*** The audit of Tower Insurance (Vanuatu) Limited was performed by Law Partners (2022: Law Partners).

8.4 Assets and liabilities held for sale

Assets and liabilities held for sale includes the Suva building and discontinued operations.

On 28 October 2022 Tower completed the sale of all of its shares in its Papua New Guinea subsidiary to Alpha

Insurance Limited for a sale price of PGK 22 million. The activities of the subsidiary have been reported in

the current period, and as at 30 September 2022, as a discontinued operation. Financial information on this

disposal is set out below.

Details of the sale of the subsidiary

28-OCT-22

$000

Cash and cash equivalents7,070

Investments2,120

Receivables2,670

Current tax assets379

Deferred tax assets130

Deferred insurance costs1,290

Right-of-use assets452

Property, plant and equipment36

Total assets at the date of disposal 14,147

Payables254

Unearned premiums4,490

Outstanding claims1,878

Lease liabilities493

Provisions53

Total liabilities at the date of disposal 7,168

Net assets at the date of disposal 6,979

Cash consideration received net of disposal costs9,688

Gain on sale before reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve 2,709

Reclassification of foreign currency translation reserve(544)

Gain on sale 2,165

ANNUAL REPORT 2023101

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

The comparatives presented in the table below include the assets and liabilities of the Papua New Guinea
subsidiary and the Suva building.

Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale

2023

$000

2022

$000

Assets classified as held for sale

Cash and cash equivalents1,302 7,796

Investments820 3,580

Receivables**8,945 2,565

Current tax assets147 315

Deferred tax assets52 144

Deferred insurance costs2,230 1,335

Right-of-use assets110 479

Property, plant and equipment*91 4,597

Total assets classified as held for sale13,697 20,811

Liabilities classified as held for sale

Payables**160 1,965

Unearned premiums5,307 4,745

Outstanding claims4,025 1,981

Lease liabilities154 519

Provisions119 48

Total liabilities classified as held for sale9,765 9,258

Net assets classified as held for sale3,932 11,553

* Property, plant and equipment disclosed above includes the Suva building carrying value of $4.5m.

** As at 30 September 2023, other members of the Tower Group owed disposal groups $3.2m (2022: disposal groups owed other

members of the Tower Group $1.8m). The assets and liabilities from discontinued operations disclosed above are stated without

adjustment for these intercompany transactions.

The currency translation reserve in relation to the discontinued operations as at 30 September 2023 was nil

(2022: $2.7m).

On 31 January 2023, Tower completed the sale of its building in Suva, for FJD 8.2 million plus VAT

(gross of costs relating to the sale).

Details of the sale of the Suva building (before taxation)

31-JAN-23

$000

Cash consideration received net of disposal costs 5,746

Net book value at the date of disposal4,558

Gain on sale of the Suva building* 1,188

Revaluation surplus transferred to retained earnings1,707

* Included in Other income within Consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Select operations in Pacific where Tower has begun the process to divest its operations are classified as

discontinued operations and are classified as held for sale as at 30 September 2023.

On 3 July 2023 Tower announced the conditional sale of its Solomon Islands business to Trans Pacific

Assurance Limited for the sale price of around SBD 17m, subject to adjustment at the completion date for

the sale.

At 30 September 2023, Tower was also committed to a plan to sell its Vanuatu subsidiary and was going

through the process of locating a buyer.

All transactions are expected to be completed within a year from the reporting date.

8.4 Assets and liabilities held for sale (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023102

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Profit from discontinued operations
2023

$000

2022

$000

Gross written premium 10,313 17,042

Unearned premium movement(344)363

Gross earned premium 9,969 17,405

Outward reinsurance premium(4,438)(7,175)

Movement in deferred reinsurance premium(25)(59)

Outward reinsurance premium expense *(4,463)(7,234)

Net earned premium5,506 10,171

Claims expense(21,102)(3,761)

Less: Reinsurance and other recoveries revenue11,573 829

Net claims expense **(9,529)(2,932)

Gross commission expense(986)(1,172)

Commission revenue434 668

Net commission expense(552)(504)

Underwriting expense *(2,610)(4,927)

Underwriting (loss)/profit(7,185) 1,808

Investment income20 68

Other income64 66

Financing and other costs(8)(19)

Gain on sale of the subsidiary2,165 –

Impairment loss recognised for disposal group(563) –

(Loss)/profit before taxation from discontinued operations(5,507) 1,923

Tax benefit/(expense)1,927 (561)

(Loss)/profit after taxation from discontinued operations(3,580) 1,362

* Disposal groups paid fees to other members of the Tower Group of $2.6m during the financial year ended 30 September 2023

(2022: $4.5m), relating to the provision of reinsurance, management and other services. These amounts are included within the

reinsurance premium expense and underwriting expense lines above, and are then eliminated within continuing operations.

** Claims expense includes $7.1m of expense incurred by the parent company under an internal reinsurance treaty with its

Vanuatu subsidiary.

Earning per share

20232022

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents) for discontinued operations(0.9) 0.3

The currency translation differences recognised in other comprehensive income during the year ended

30 September 2023 in relation to the discontinued operations, including reclassification adjustment,

were nil  (2022: $1.8m).

8.4 Assets and liabilities held for sale (continued)

8.5 Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Group has introduced a long-term incentive plan during the year, which is intended to align the interests of

management and shareholders.

Recognition and measurement

The Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan is considered to be an equity settled scheme under NZ IFRS 2

Share-based Payments and the vesting conditions for the scheme include both service and performance

conditions.

The costs associated with this plan are measured at fair value at grant date and are recognised as an

expense in profit or loss over the vesting period, with a corresponding entry to a reserve in equity. The

estimate of the number of rights for which the service conditions are expected to be satisfied is revised

at each reporting date, with any cumulative catch-up adjustment recognised in profit or loss in the period

that the change in estimate occurred. Any rights not vested after the expiry date are cancelled.

The plan provides selected eligible employees with Restricted Share Rights (RSR’s), which ‘vest’ over a three-

year period, during which participants must remain employed by the Group and performance conditions must

be met as follows.

Share Rights vest if Tower’s Total Shareholder Return (TSR) sits at or above the 50th percentile of the NZX 50

index ranked by TSR over the same period:

(i) Where the company TSR equals the 50th percentile TSR of the index companies over the performance

period, 50% of the share rights will vest.

(ii) Where the company TSR equals or exceeds the 75th percentile TSR of the index companies over the

performance period, 100% of the share rights will vest.

(iii) Where the company TSR over the performance period exceeds the 50th percentile TSR of the index

companies but does not reach the 75th percentile, then between 50% and 100% of the share rights will

vest as determined on a straight line progression basis.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023103

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

8.6 Contingent liabilities
Claims and disputes

The Group is occasionally subject to claims and disputes as a commercial outcome of conducting insurance

business. Provisions are recorded for these claims or disputes when it is probable that an outflow of resources

will be required to settle any obligations. Best estimates are included within claims reserves for any litigation

that has arisen in the usual course of business.

The Group has no other contingent liabilities.

8.7 Subsequent events

On 20 November 2023 Tower announced that it will no longer offer insurance for commercial farms, which

comprised $8.9m of Gross Written Premiums in FY23. Insurance policies for commercial farms will be

progressively lapsed as their terms expire, over a 12 month period from 1 February 2024.

8.8 Capital commitments

As at 30 September 2023, Tower has nil capital commitments (2022: nil).

8.9 Impact of new accounting standards and changes in interpretation

of current accounting standards

New accounting standards

No new accounting standards were implemented during the year with a material effect on Tower.

Issued and not yet effective

The only new or revised accounting standard that is expected to have a material impact on Tower’s financial

statements is IFRS 17.  Other new or revised accounting standards that will be mandatory in future financial

years are not expected to have a material impact.

IFRS 17 replaces the current guidance in NZ IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts (IFRS 4), and establishes principles for

the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts. The standard introduces

substantial changes in the presentation of financial statements and disclosures, introducing new balance sheet

and income statement line items and increased disclosure requirements compared with existing reporting.

IFRS 17 is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. Tower will apply the standard for the

year ending 30 September 2024, with a restated comparative period for the year ended 30 September 2023. 

Tower expects to apply the standard using the full retrospective approach for all groups of insurance and

reinsurance contracts.

During the year the following movements of rights to shares occurred in accordance with the rules of the plan:

2023

NUMBER OF SHARE

RIGHTS (RSR’S)

Share Rights outstanding at the beginning of the period –

Share Rights granted during the period1,946,557

Share Rights forfeited during the period –

Share Rights vested and settled during the period –

Share Rights outstanding at the end of the period1,946,557

The weighted average remaining contractual life for share rights outstanding under the plan is 2.2 years.

The assessed fair value of the rights granted during the year was 23 cents. This was calculated using a Monte

Carlo share price simulation model by Deloitte Limited. The significant inputs into the model for rights granted

during the period are in the table below:

Assumptions2023

Share price at grant date (cents)70

10 Day VWAP (cents)70

Exercise PriceNil

Option life3 years

Risk-free rate4.36%

Expected volatility23%

The expected price volatility is based on annualised price volatility for the four years prior to the grant date.

The total share-based payment expense during the year was $124k.

There were no liabilities arising from share-based payment transactions at reporting date. The plan allows

participants to request a PAYE Election, under which they may ask Tower to make payment to the IRD to settle

their PAYE liability subject to Tower being reimbursed by the participant. Tower is not required to accept any

participant’s request for a PAYE Election. Tower has not entered into any agreed PAYE Election arrangements

during the year.

8.5 Tower Long-Term Incentive Plan (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023104

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Measurement model
IFRS 17 contains three new measurement models. The general model measures insurance contracts based on

the fulfilment cash flows (the present value of estimated future cash flows with an explicit risk adjustment for

non-financial risk) and the contractual service margin (the unearned profit that will be recognised as services

are provided over the coverage period). A modified version of the general model (the variable fee approach)

is applied to insurance contracts with direct participation features, and a simplified measurement model (the

premium allocation approach, or PAA) is permitted in certain circumstances. The PAA is similar to the current

measurement model used for general insurance. Tower will measure all its current insurance contracts and

reinsurance contracts using the PAA measurement model.

Under the PAA, insurance and reinsurance contracts will be aggregated together into portfolios based on the

contracts having similar risks and being managed together, and then divided into groups based on the expected

profitability of contracts and the periods in which the contracts are written. Insurance contracts and reinsurance

contracts are measured separately. Under the aggregation requirements, the identification and measurement of

contracts that are expected to be loss making will be performed at a lower granularity than the liability adequacy

test under current accounting standards, with any loss component recognised on initial recognition.

Discounting

IFRS 17 makes changes to the way that discount rates are applied to future cash flows, with discount rates

required to reflect the time value of money, the characteristics of the cash flows and the liquidity characteristics

of the insurance contracts. Tower has determined that it will not discount insurance liabilities for remaining

coverage (LRC), as the time between the provision of services and when premiums are received is not

expected to exceed one year. The coverage period for reinsurance assets for remaining coverage (ARC) are

expected to exceed one year, however Tower has determined it will not discount ARC as there is no significant

financing component. Insurance and reinsurance assets and liabilities for incurred claims will be discounted to

reflect the time value of money. Tower expects to apply the bottom-up approach in determining the discount

rate, whereby a risk-free yield curve is adjusted through the addition of an illiquidity premium.

Risk adjustment

IFRS 17 requires a risk adjustment for non-financial risk to be applied to reflect the compensation an entity

requires for bearing uncertainty about the amount and timing of cash flows. This differs from the risk margin

used under IFRS 4, which reflects the inherent uncertainty in the central estimate of future claims cash

flows. Tower is developing its framework for determining the risk adjustment and is considering a cost of

capital approach for the calculation of assets and liabilities for incurred claims.

8.9 Impact of new accounting standards and changes in interpretation

of current accounting standards (continued)

Insurance acquisition cash flows

IFRS 17 allows a choice between expensing acquisition costs related to the fulfilment cash flows immediately,

or deferring them. Tower will defer acquisition costs and amortise them over the coverage period of the related

insurance contracts.

Presentation and disclosure

IFRS 17 also introduces significant changes to the presentation of insurance contracts. Assets and liabilities

related to portfolios of insurance contracts and reinsurance contracts will be shown separately on the balance

sheet, replacing current insurance-related lines such as premium receivables, deferred insurance costs and

unearned premiums. In the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, Tower will present income and

expenses related to insurance contracts gross of reinsurance, which will be disclosed separately.

In addition, finance income or expense associated with insurance contracts will not be included in insurance

service result, and will be recognised separately as insurance finance income expense. IFRS 17 permits entities

to recognise a component of finance expense in either profit or loss or other comprehensive Income. Tower

intends to recognise all components of finance income or expense in profit or loss.

Transition

Tower has a programme to assess the impact of adopting IFRS 17 and to project manage the transition to

the new standard including system development. Tower has substantially completed all transition tasks

which include finalising accounting policy under IFRS 17, systems development work, and adapting business

processes to meet reporting requirements under IFRS 17.

IFRS 17 is not expected to change the underlying economics or cash flows of Tower’s business, although it

may impact how profit emerges on a year-to-year basis, and it will change the presentation in the financial

statements. Tower is currently in the process of assessing the financial impact of retrospectively applying the

transition provisions in IFRS 17.

Work is currently being undertaken to develop checks, evidence and audit trails to have reasonable assurance

over the accuracy of the initial period of application impact on the Tower’s consolidated financial statements.

Based on assessments undertaken to date, the impact is not expected to be material.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023105

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Independent auditor’s report
To the shareholders of Tower Limited

Our opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Tower Limited (the

Company), including its subsidiaries (the Group), present fairly, in all material respects, the

financial position of the Group as at 30 September 2023, its financial performance and its cash

flows for the year then ended in accordance with New Zealand Equivalents to International

Financial Reporting Standards (NZ IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

What we have audited

The Group’s consolidated financial statements comprise:

• the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 September 2023;

• the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended;

• the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended;

• the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and

• the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include significant accounting

policies and other explanatory information.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand)

(ISAs (NZ)) and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those

standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated

financial statements section of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a

basis for our opinion.

Independence

We are independent of the Group in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1

International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence

Standards) (New Zealand) (PES 1) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards

Board and the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including International

Independence Standards) issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants

(IESBA Code), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these

requirements.

Our firm carries out other assurance services for the Group over solvency and regulatory

insurance returns. In addition, certain partners and employees of our firm may deal with the

Group on normal terms within the ordinary course of trading activities of the Group. The provision

of these other services and relationships have not impaired our independence as auditor of the

Group.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023106Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Independent auditor’s report (continued)
Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current year. These matters were

addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Description of the key audit matterHow our audit addressed the key audit matter

Valuation of outstanding claims (2023: $240,597,000, 2022: $124,531,000)

We considered the valuation of outstanding claims a key audit matter as it involves an

estimation process combined with significant judgements and assumptions, made by

management, to estimate future cash outflows to settle claims. Outstanding claims have

increased this year due to the large weather events experienced in Auckland and the Upper

North Island and Cyclone Gabrielle.

The outstanding claims liability includes a central estimate of the future cash outflows

relating to claims incurred, as at and prior to the reporting date, and the expected costs of

handling those claims. There is uncertainty over the amount that reported claims and claims

incurred at the reporting date but not yet reported to the Group will ultimately be settled

at. The estimation process relies on the quality of underlying claims data and the use of

informed estimates to determine the quantum of the ultimate loss.

Key actuarial assumptions applied in the valuation of outstanding claims (excluding

Canterbury earthquakes) include:

• expected future claims development proportion;

• claims handling expense ratios; and

• discount rate.

Outstanding claims in relation to the Canterbury earthquakes also have a unique degree

of uncertainty and judgement. This mainly arises due to the uncertainty as to further

deterioration of open known claims, Earthquake Commission reporting of new claims to

the Group which have gone over the $100,000 statutory liability cap (over cap claims), new

litigation claims, reopening of closed claims and expected claims costs for open claims.

Changes in assumptions can lead to significant movements in the outstanding claims liability.

The outstanding claims liability includes a risk margin that allows for the inherent uncertainty

in the central estimate of future claim cash outflows. In determining the risk margin, the

Group makes judgements about the volatility of each class of business written and the

correlation between different geographical locations.

Refer to note 2.4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Claims data is a key input to the actuarial estimates. Accordingly, we:

• evaluated the design effectiveness and tested controls over claims processing;

• assessed a sample of claim case estimates at the year end to check that they were supported

by an appropriate management assessment and documentation, and classified appropriately to

relevant claim type;

• assessed, on a sample basis, the accuracy of previous claim case estimates by comparing to the

actual amount settled during the year and assessed the changes in the claim case estimate to

determine whether such change was based on new information available during the year;

• inspected a sample of claims paid during the year to confirm that they were supported by

appropriate documentation and approved within delegated authority limits; and

• tested the integrity of data used in the actuarial models by agreeing relevant model inputs, such as

claims data, to source, on a sample basis.

Together with our actuarial experts, we:

• considered the work and findings of the actuaries engaged by Tower;

• evaluated the actuarial models and methodologies used, and any changes to them, by comparing

with generally accepted models and methodologies applied in the sector;

• assessed key actuarial judgements and assumptions and challenged them by comparing with

our expectations based on Tower’s experience, our own sector knowledge and independently

observable industry trends (where applicable);

• tested on a sample basis, the underlying calculations in certain valuation models including the

application of discounting;

• assessed the risk margin by comparing to known industry practice. In particular we focused on the

assessed level of uncertainty in the central estimate and the inherent uncertainty in the remaining

Canterbury earthquake claims and consistency of the risk margin with prior periods; and

• reviewed disclosures in the financial statements for compliance with accounting standards.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023107Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Description of the key audit matterHow our audit addressed the key audit matter
Valuation of reinsurance recoveries on outstanding claims (2023: $119,156,000,

2022: $14,080,000)

The valuation of reinsurance recoveries on outstanding claims is a key audit matter as a

significant reinsurance asset has been recognised in respect of the recent Auckland and

Upper North Island weather event, as well as Cyclone Gabrielle.

Reinsurance recoveries have an implicit dependence on the estimate of gross outstanding

claims, which involve a high degree of management judgement and estimation uncertainty.

The Group has multiple reinsurance arrangements and allocating the claims to relevant

reinsurance treaties is dependent on the accuracy of underlying claims data.

Refer to notes 2.2, 2.4 and 2.7 to the consolidated financial statements.

In addition to our audit procedures undertaken to assess the valuation of outstanding claims,

we performed the following procedures:

• read material reinsurance agreements in place to understand the terms and conditions;

• assessed, on a sample basis, the appropriateness of outstanding claims classification, used for

the calculation of reinsurance recoveries;

• tested the completeness of the claims data used in the reinsurance calculations by comparing

it to the outstanding claims population;

• recalculated, on sample basis, reinsurance recoveries;

• validated progress payments received from reinsurers in respect of the Auckland and Upper

North Island weather event and Cyclone Gabrielle to bank; and

• assessed the recoverability of balances owed by reinsurers by considering their credit worthiness

and capital strength, payment history including ageing of receivables, and considered whether

there were any indicators of dispute.

Recoverability of the deferred tax asset arising from tax losses (2023: $29,411,000,

2022: $23,716,000)

The majority of the Group’s deferred tax asset arises from tax losses. We considered

recoverability of the deferred tax asset a key audit matter because utilisation of the asset is

sensitive to the Group’s expected future profitability and sufficient continuity of the ultimate

shareholders or business continuity.

Management judgement is involved in forecasting the timing and quantum of future taxable

profits, which are inherently uncertain, and whether it is probable the tax losses will be

utilised in the foreseeable future.

Refer to note 7.3 to the consolidated financial statements.

In considering the recoverability of the deferred tax asset arising from tax losses we performed the

following procedures:

• compared the previous management budget with actual results to assess the reliability of

management’s forecasting;

• considered the reasonableness of the assumptions in the year ending 30 September 2024 board

approved operational plan on the forecast utilisation of tax losses;

• assessed the Group’s ability to maintain sufficient continuity of the ultimate shareholders or to

meet the business continuity test and therefore its entitlement to offset the tax losses against

future taxable profits; and

• determined whether it was probable (more likely than not) that the tax losses would be utilised in

the foreseeable future.

Independent auditor’s report (continued)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023108Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Independent auditor’s report (continued)
Our audit approach

Overview

Overall group materiality: $5.1 million, which represents approximately 1%

of gross written premium from continuing and discontinued operations.

We chose gross written premium as the benchmark because, in our view,

it is the benchmark against which the performance of the Group is most

commonly measured by users, and is a generally accepted benchmark

for insurance companies.

A full scope audit was performed for the Company based on its financial

significance to the Group. Specified audit procedures were performed

on financial statement line items of certain subsidiaries and analytical

review procedures were performed on remaining Group entities.

As reported above, we have three key audit matters, being:

• Valuation of outstanding claims

• Valuation of reinsurance recoveries on outstanding claims

• Recoverability of the deferred tax asset arising from tax losses

As part of designing our audit, we determined materiality and assessed the risks of material

misstatement in the consolidated financial statements. In particular, we considered where

management made subjective judgements; for example, in respect of significant accounting

estimates that involved making assumptions and considering future events that are inherently

uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of management override of internal

controls, including among other matters, consideration of whether there was evidence of bias

that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. An audit is designed

to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free

from material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered

material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the

Materiality

Group scoping

Key audit

matters

economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the consolidated financial statements.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for

materiality, including the overall Group materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a

whole as set out above. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine

the scope of our audit, the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate

the effect of misstatements, both individually and in aggregate, on the consolidated financial

statements as a whole.

How we tailored our group audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an

opinion on the consolidated financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of

the Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Group operates.

Other information

The Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the

information included in the annual report, but does not include the consolidated financial

statements and our auditor’s report thereon.

Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and

we do not express any form of audit opinion or assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to

read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially

inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit,

or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed on

the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this auditor’s report, we conclude that

there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We

have nothing to report in this regard.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023109Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Independent auditor’s report (continued)
Responsibilities of the Directors for the consolidated financial statements

The Directors are responsible, on behalf of the Company, for the preparation and fair presentation

of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with NZ IFRS and IFRS, and for such

internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated

financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the

Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going

concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to

liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated

financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial

statements, as a whole, are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and

to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of

assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (NZ) and ISAs

will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or

error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be

expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated

financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements is

located at the External Reporting Board’s website at:

https://www.xrb.govt.nz/assurance-standards/auditors-responsibilities/audit-report-1/

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Who we report to

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a body. Our audit work has been

undertaken so that we might state those matters which we are required to state to them in an

auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept

or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s shareholders, as

a body, for our audit work, for this report or for the opinions we have formed.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is

Karen Shires.

For and on behalf of:

Chartered Accountants Auckland

23 November 2023

ANNUAL REPORT 2023110Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

23 November 2023
The Directors

Tower Limited

136 Fanshawe Street

Auckland 1010

Dear Directors

Review of Actuarial Information contained in the financial statements

As required by Section 78 of IPSA the Appointed Actuary, Geoff Atkins of Finity Consulting,

has reviewed the actuarial information contained in, or used in the preparation of, the financial

statements at 30 September 2023. Geoff Atkins and Finity have no relationship with or interest

in Tower other than being a provider of actuarial services.

I prepared the actuarial valuation of liabilities remaining from the Canterbury Earthquakes and

reviewed the actuarial valuations of insurance liabilities for the New Zealand business and the

Pacific Islands businesses. I reviewed the other actuarial information as specified by IPSA in

Section 77, including the solvency calculations for the financial statements.

No limitations were placed on me in performing the review and all data and information

requested was provided.

Nothing has come to my attention that would lead me to believe that any of the actuarial

information contained in, or used in the preparation of, the financial statements is not appropriate.

In my opinion the company has maintained a solvency margin in excess of the minimum required

as at 30 September 2023.

Geoff Atkins (Appointed Actuary)

Fellow of the New Zealand Society

of Actuaries

Anagha Pasche

Fellow of the New Zealand

Society of Actuaries

Appointed Actuary’s report

The report is being provided for the sole use of Tower for the purpose state above. It is not

intended, nor necessarily suitable, for any other purpose and should only be relied on for the

purpose for which it is intended.

Yours sincerely

ANNUAL REPORT 2023111Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

112ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityGRI content index ContentsCorporate governanceConsolidated financial statements

CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE

AT TOWER

113ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governanceConsolidated financial statements

This section of the Annual Report provides an overview
of the corporate governance principles, policies and

processes adopted and followed by Tower’s Board (Board)

during the year ending 30 September 2023 (FY23).

For the reporting period to 30 September 2023, the Board considers that Tower’s

corporate governance practices have materially adhered to the NZX Corporate

Governance Code (NZX Code). Further information about the extent to which Tower has

complied with each of the NZX Code recommendations is set out in Tower’s corporate

governance statement, available on Tower’s website at tower.co.nz/investor-centre.

Statutory disclosures

Diversity

Gender Diversity

The below table provides a quantitative breakdown as to the gender composition of

Tower’s Directors and Officers, and other employee groups as at 30 September 2023,

compared to 30 September 2022, including subsidiaries. The Executive Leadership

team includes the Chief Executive Officer and those employees who report directly

to the Chief Executive Officer. The Senior Leadership Team refers to employees in

remuneration band 8 and above. Total company figures exclude the Board of Directors,

and include permanent and fixed term employees, and the employees of Tower’s Pacific

Island subsidiaries:

30 SEPTEMBER 202330 SEPTEMBER 2022

GROUP% GROUPNUMBER% GROUPNUMBER

Board of Directors

Males80%480%4

Females20%120%1

Gender Diverse0%00%0

Executive Leadership team

Males70%788%7

Females30%312%1

Gender Diverse0%0

Senior Leadership

Males57%2363%27

Females43%1737%16

Gender Diverse0%0

Employees

Males35%28138%268

Females64%51362%446

Gender Diverse1%6

Total company

Males36% 31139%302

Females62% 53361%463

Gender Diverse1%6

Total employees850765

ANNUAL REPORT 2023114Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Evaluation from the Board on Tower’s performance with respect
to diversity and inclusion

Tower has a diversity and inclusion policy, focussing on:

• Gender diversity

• Age and career progression

• Ethnicity and Pacific and Māori inclusion

• LGBTIQ+ identification and inclusion

• Accessibility

In FY23, Tower has:

• provided ongoing training and education to raise employee awareness of diversity

and inclusion initiatives and associated benefits

• maintained merit-based recruitment and selection, development and talent

management approaches that encourage and support diversity and inclusion

at all levels

• created and maintained a flexible and inclusive work environment that values

difference and enhances business outcomes

• monitored and maintained focus on the diversity of our workforce at senior levels

• embedded leadership behaviours that support its belief in the value of diversity

and inclusion

• promoted workforce involvement in employee representative groups

Board and Committee Composition

During FY23 the Board comprised the following members:

Michael Stiassny (Chair)

Graham Stuart

Marcus Nagel

Geraldine McBride (from 1 October 2023)

Blair Turnbull (from 29 March 2023 - 17 November 2023)

Warren Lee (until 30 November 2022)

Wendy Thorpe (until 29 March 2023)

Director Independence

The Board has determined, based on information provided by directors regarding

their interests, and criteria for independence benchmarked against the RBNZ and NZX

independence requirements, that as at 30 September 2023 Mr Stiassny, Mr Stuart,

and Ms McBride were independent. The Board determined that Mr Nagel was not

independent due to his relationship with Tower’s largest shareholder.

Mr Turnbull is an executive director and is not a member of any of the Board Committees.

Board Committees

During FY23 the Board had the following Committees:

Audit Committee

Members: Graham Stuart (Chair), Michael Stiassny, Warren Lee (until 30 November

2022), Wendy Thorpe (until 29 March 2023), Marcus Nagel and Geraldine McBride

(from 1 October 2022).

Risk Committee

Members: Wendy Thorpe (Chair) (until 29 March 2023), Michael Stiassny, Graham Stuart,

Marcus Nagel. Warren Lee (until 30 November 2022) and Geraldine McBride (from 1

October 2022) (Acting Chair from 29 March 2023).

Remuneration and Appointments Committee

Members: Michael Stiassny (Chair), Graham Stuart), Warren Lee (until 30 November

2022), Wendy Thorpe (until 29 March 2023), Marcus Nagel and Geraldine McBride

(from 1 October 2022).

Other Committees

Tower’s Board may establish Sub-Committees from time to time. In 2023, a Results

Sub-Committee was convened on two occasions.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023115Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Board and Committee meeting attendance
Director attendance at Board and Committee meetings held from 1 October 2022

to 30 September 2023 is set out below:

BOARD

AUDIT

COMMITTEE

RISK

COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION

AND APPOINTMENTS

COMMITTEE

RESULTS SUB-

COMMITTEE

Meetings held 123442

Michael Stiassny 123442

Graham Stuart123442

Warren Lee

(until 30 November 2022)

111––

Wendy Thorpe

(until 29 March 2023)

4122–

Marcus Nagel11344–

Geraldine McBride12344–

Blair Turnbull6––––

All members of the executive leadership team have a standing invitation to attend all

Board meetings, although they do not always attend the entire meeting.

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer and General

Counsel & Company Secretary attend all Audit Committee and Risk Committee

meetings by standing invitation.

The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel &

Company Secretary attend all meetings of the Remuneration and Appointment

Committee by standing invitation.

The General Counsel & Company Secretary is responsible for taking accurate minutes

of each meeting and ensuring that Board procedures are observed.

Remuneration

Director Remuneration

The Board’s approach is to remunerate directors in a manner which is fair and

reasonable in a competitive market, having regard to the skills, knowledge and

experience required. At the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting in February 2004

shareholders approved a maximum payment of NZ$900,000 per annum for

director fees.

Tower seeks external advice when reviewing Board remuneration. The Remuneration

and Appointments Committee is responsible for assisting directors with the review

of directors’ fees. Remuneration is considered through the lens of the Director and

Executive Remuneration Policy to ensure that directors and executives are remunerated

in a fair and reasonable manner, and that such remuneration is transparently

communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Annual fees as approved by the Board with effect from 1 October 2020 are:

TOWER LIMITED BOARD/COMMITTEE FEESCHAIR (NZ$)MEMBER (NZ$)

Base fee – Board of directors180,000100,000

Audit Committee10,000(included in base Director fee)

Risk Committee10,000(included in base Director fee)

Remuneration and Appointments Committee––

The total remuneration received by each director for the year ended 30 September

2023 is set out below (NZ$, and exclusive of GST, if any):

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS RECEIVED BY TOWER LIMITED DIRECTORS

IN THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 (NZD)

Michael Stiassny180,000

Graham Stuart110,000

Warren Lee (retired 30 November 2022)16,667

Wendy Thorpe (retired 29 March 2023)55,000

Geraldine McBride100,000

Marcus Nagel 100,000

ANNUAL REPORT 2023116Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS RECEIVED BY TOWER SUBSIDIARY DIRECTORS
IN THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Isikeli Tikoduadua, Director Tower Insurance (Fiji) Limited

and Tower Group Services (Fiji) Pte Limited18,000 Fijian Dollars

Barry Whiteside, Director Tower Insurance (Fiji) Limited20,000 Fijian Dollars

Ernie Gangloff, Director Tower Insurance (PNG) Limited

(retired 28 October 2022)$16,198.63 Kina

Directors of Tower Limited and its subsidiaries are reimbursed for out of pocket

expenses incurred in the course of their activities as directors, including travel and other

expenses. As these expenses are not in the nature of remuneration or benefits, they are

not listed here.

No employee of Tower Limited or its subsidiaries who acts as a director of a subsidiary

receives any remuneration for their role as a director of that subsidiary. The number

of employees who receive remuneration of more than $100,000 is included in the

remuneration table on this page. Auditor fees paid on behalf of Tower and its subsidiaries

are disclosed in the financial statements.

CEO and senior executive remuneration

The Board’s approach to remunerating the Chief Executive Officer and other key

executives is to provide market based remuneration packages comprising a blend

of fixed and variable remuneration, with clear links between individual and company

performance, and reward. This approach is intended to encourage Tower’s executives

to meet Tower’s short and long term objectives. The Remuneration and Appointments

Committee reviews the remuneration packages of the Chief Executive Officer and the

Chief Executive Officer’s direct reports at least annually.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Blair Turnbull, is remunerated through a combination

of a base salary of $657,588, (exclusive of a 3% Kiwisaver contribution) and variable

performance incentives including a Short Term Incentive (STI) and a Long Term Incentive

(LTI). The maximum STI is currently $328,944 per annum based on meeting key financial

and non-financial and operational performance measures. The maximum LTI per annum

is currently $986,832 (total) should Tower deliver Total Shareholder Return performance

relative to the performance of companies within the NZX50 index.

In FY23, Mr Turnbull was not awarded a STI or LTI payment. Mr Turnbull also received

939,840 unvested share rights pursuant to a long term incentive plan, details of which

are included in the Corporate Governance Statement.

Employee remuneration

The table below sets out the number of employees or former employees of Tower

(excluding directors and former directors and employees of Tower’s subsidiaries)

who received remuneration and other benefits valued at or exceeding $100,000

received during the financial years ended 30 September 2023 and 2022.

Remuneration includes base salary, superannuation contributions, performance

payments and redundancy or other termination payments. The remuneration bands

are expressed in New Zealand Dollars:

FROMTO20232022

100,000109,9992623

110,000119,9992433

120,000129,9993423

130,000139,9992527

140,000149,9991518

150,000159,999269

160,000169,999115

170,000179,999411

180,000189,999611

190,000199,99933

200,000209,99961

210,000219,99952

220,000229,99931

230,000239,99961

240,000249,99931

250,000259,99913

260,000269,99902

270,000279,99920

280,000289,99933

290,000299,99901

300,000309,99911

FROMTO20232022

310,000319,99920

320,000329,99910

330,000339,99910

340,000349,99910

350,000359,99911

360,000369,99911

370,000379,99910

430,000439,99911

440,000449,99901

460,000469,99911

470,000479,99910

490,000499,99910

530,000539,99910

610,000619,99901

670,000679,99910

700,000709,99911

850,000859,99910

Total220186

ANNUAL REPORT 2023117Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Security Holder Information
Substantial product holders (as at 30 September 2023)

The names and holdings of Tower’s substantial product holders based on notices filed

with Tower under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 as at 30 September 2023 are:

NAMETOTAL ORDINARY SHARES

Bain Capital Credit LP, Bain Capital Investments (Europe) Limited and Dent

Issuer Designated Activity Company67,464,858

Salt Funds Management Limited30,479,743

Accident Compensation Corporation36,239,113

New Zealand Funds Management Limited on behalf of itself and its wholly

owned subsidiary New Zealand Funds Superannuation Limited26,615,216

Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited22,072,615

These totals may differ from the shareholdings described in other sections on this report.

Largest shareholders (as at 30 September 2023)

The names and holdings of the 20 largest registered Tower shareholders as at

30 September 2023 were:

UNITS% UNITS

1.Dent Issuer Designated Activity Company75,896,44720.00

2.Citibank Nominees (New Zealand) Limited - NZCSD <CNOM90>47,507,39812.52

3.Accident Compensation Corporation - NZCSD <ACCI40>34,040,3218.97

4.Pacific International Insurance Pty Limited22,072,6155.82

5.Lennon Holdings Limited16,200,0004.27

6.BNP Paribas Nominees (NZ) Limited - NZCSD <BPSS40>13,858,2323.65

7.Masfen Securities Limited13,430,1973.54

8.HSBC Nominees (New Zealand) Limited - NZCSD <HKBN90>11,714,7233.09

9.JBWere (NZ) Nominees Limited <NZ RESIDENT A/C>7,921,4212.09

10.HSBC Nominees (New Zealand) Limited A/C State Street - NZCSD

<HKBN45>

7,758,8952.04

11.Investment Custodial Services Limited <A/C C>5,415,6471.43

12.Public Trust - NZCSD <THE ASPIRING FUND>4,725,0001.25

13.JP Morgan Chase Bank NA NZ Branch-Segregated Clients ACCT -

NZCSD <CHAM24>

3,778,3741.00

14.Tea Custodians Limited Client Property Trust Account - NZCSD

<TEAC40>

2,988,9970.79

15.BNP Paribas Nominees (NZ) Limited - NZCSD2,536,0160.67

16.New Zealand Depository Nominee Limited <A/C 1 CASH ACCOUNT>2,185,2750.58

17.Hobson Wealth Custodian Limited <RESIDENT CASH ACCOUNT>1,920,9630.51

18.HSBC Nominees A/C NZ Superannuation Fund Nominees Limited -

NZCSD <SUPR40

1,660,6180.44

19.Custodial Services Limited <A/C 4>1,623,3150.43

20.FNZ Custodians Limited1,493,5450.39

Totals: top 20 holders of ordinary shares 278,727,99973.45

Total remaining holders balance100,755,98826.55

ANNUAL REPORT 2023118Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Securities held by Directors
At 30 September 2023, directors, or entities related to them held relevant interests (as

defined in the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013) in Tower Limited shares as follows:

Ordinary shares

DIRECTORBENEFICIAL

Wongaling Pty Limited: (Geraldine McBride)5,477

Marcus Nagel62

Michael Stiassny624,897

Graham Stuart202,500

Blair Turnbull (retired 17 November 2023)253,030

Director trading in Tower securities

Tower’s constitution requires that its directors hold shares in the company. On 27

February 2023, Wongaling Pty Limited disclosed its purchase of 5,477 shares in Tower

Limited. Ms Geraldine McBride is the beneficial owner of those shares.

Shareholder analysis

Tower’s shares are quoted on both the NZX and ASX. As at 30 September 2023, 16,713

Tower shareholders held less than A$500 of Tower shares (i.e. less than a marketable

parcel as defined in the ASX Listing Rules), amounting to a total of 6,137,613 of the Tower

shares on issue.

In comparison, a ‘minimum holding’ under the NZX Listing Rules means a holding of

shares having a value of at least NZ$1,000. As at 30 September 2023, 19,447 Tower

shareholders held less than NZ$1,000 of Tower Shares (being, a parcel size of 1,613 at

$0.62 per share), amounting to a total of 9,316,511 of the Tower shares on issue.

Total voting securities

ORDINARY SHARESNUMBER OF HOLDERS

30 September 2023379,483,98723,566

Tower’s ordinary shares each carry a right to vote on any resolution on a poll at a meeting

of shareholders. Holders of ordinary shares may vote at a meeting in person, or by proxy,

representative or attorney.

The address and telephone number of the office at which the register of Tower

securities is kept is set out in the directory at the back of this Annual Report.

Spread of Shareholders (as at 30 September 2023)

HOLDING RANGEHOLDER COUNTHOLDER COUNT %

HOLDING QUANTITY

(ORDINARY SHARES)

HOLDING

QUANTITY %

1 - 1,00017,51474.416,886,4931.81

1,001 - 5,000414117.598,498,7842.24

5,001 - 10,0006722.854,793,7471.26

10,001 - 100,00010154.3130,899,2888.14

100,001 and over195.82328,405,67586.54

Total23,537100379,483,987100

Indemnity and insurance

In accordance with section 162 of the Companies Act 1993 and Tower’s constitution,

Tower has provided insurance for and indemnities to, directors and employees of Tower

for losses from actions undertaken in the course of their duties. The insurance includes

indemnity costs and expenses incurred to defend an action that falls outside the scope

of the indemnity. Particulars have been entered in the Interests Register pursuant to

section 162 of the Companies Act 1993.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023119Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Interests register
Tower and its subsidiaries are required to maintain an interests register in which the

particulars of certain transactions and matters involving the directors must be recorded.

The interests register for Tower Limited is available for inspection on request by

shareholders. Tower’s constitution provides that an ‘interested’ director may not vote on a

matter in which he or she is interested unless the director is required to sign a certificate

in relation to that vote pursuant to the Companies Act 1993, or the matter relates to a

grant of an indemnity pursuant to section 162 of the Companies Act 1993.

During the year to 30 September 2023, pursuant to section 140 of the Companies Act

1993 Tower’s directors disclosed new interests and cessations of interest as noted in the

table below:

Geraldine McBride

Sky Network Television Limited (until 2 November 2022)Director

My Wave LimitedDirector

My Wave Holdings LimitedDirector

Marcus Nagel

3Arrow AGDirector

Jarowa AGDirector

Michael Stiassny

Bengadol Corporation LimitedDirector

Emerald Group LimitedDirector

Gadol Corporation LimitedDirector

Geffen Holdings LimitedDirector

Michael Spencer LimitedDirector

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Housing Trustee Limited (until 16 February 2023)Director

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa Limited (until 16 February 2023)Chair

Poukawa Estate LimitedDirector

Ted Kingsway LimitedDirector

Whai Rawa GP Limited (until 16 February 2023)Director

Whai Rawa Kainga Development Limited (until 16 February 2023)Director

LPF Group LimitedDirector

MS10 LimitedDirector

Morgan HoldCo LimitedDirector

Remuera Investments LimitedDirector

Te Waenga LtdDirector

Tegel Group Holdings LtdDirector

New Talisman Gold Mines LtdDirector

2 Cheap Cars Group Limited Director

Momentum Life Limited (from September 2023)Director

Graham Stuart

Leroy Holdings LimitedDirector

EROAD LimitedDirector

VinPro LimitedDirector

NorthWest Healthcare Properties Management LimitedChair

Metro Performance Glass Limited (until 1 August 2023)Director

H4G Group Limited, trading as Vet South and VetNZChair

Comhla Vet LimitedDirector

Blair Turnbull (retired 17 November 2023)

InsurtechNZ (until February 2023)Co-Chair

Insurance Council of New ZealandBoard member

IFSO Commission (from February 2023)Industry Representative

Wendy Thorpe (retired 29 March 2023)

Online Education Services Pty LimitedChair

Epworth Foundation (Epworth Healthcare)Chair

Australian Central Credit Union Ltd T/A People’s Choice Credit UnionDirector

Epworth Geelong LimitedDirector

Data Action Director

auDADirector

Warren Lee (retired 30 November 2022)

MyState LimitedDirector

MyState Bank LimitedDirector

TPT Wealth LimitedDirector

MetLife Insurance LimitedDirector

MetLife General Insurance LimitedDirector

Warakirri Asset Management LimitedDirector

Warakirri Holdings Pty LimitedDirector

Flinders Investment Partners Pty LimitedDirector

ANNUAL REPORT 2023120Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Subsidiary Company Directors’ Interests
Barry Whiteside

Kontiki FinanceDirector

Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance CompanyDirector

Bayly TrustDirector/Trustee

Fiscal Review Committee, Fijian Ministry of FinanceMember

Isikeli Tikoduadua

Merchant FinanceChairman

Vodafone Fiji Director

Fiji Commerce Commission Commissioner

iTaukei Land Trust Board Director

Special Administrators for Suva City and Lami TownChairman

USP MBA Advisory Committee Chairman

Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa

Bank of Baroda – Fiji OperationsMember, Local Advisory Board

Angus Shelton

Shelton Contracting LimitedDirector

Ernie Gangloff

1

Gangloff Consulting LimitedManaging Director

Gangloff Projects LimitedDirector

Pacific Training Consortium LimitedDirector

BSP Financial Group LimitedDirector

New Britain Palm Oil LimitedDirector

Highlands Pacific LimitedDirector

Business Incubation Solution LimitedDirector

BSP Finance (Fiji) Pte LimitedDirector

Institute of National Affairs Inc.President

University Rugby Football Union ClubPresident

Capital Rugby Union Inc.Treasurer

Specific disclosures of interest

Directors also disclosed the monetary value of dividends received during the year.

NATURE OF INTERESTMONETARY VALUE

Michael StiassnyShareholder of 694,330

shares in Tower Limited

27,773Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 23 November 2022

Graham StuartShareholder of 225,000

shares in Tower Limited

5,625Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 23 November 2022

Wendy ThorpeShareholder of 16,250

shares in Tower Limited

650Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 23 November 2022

Marcus NagelShareholder of 62 shares

in Tower Limited

2Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 24 November 2022

Warren LeeBeneficial Shareholder of

120,500 shares in Tower

4,800Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 24 November 2022

Blair TurnbullShareholder of 253,030

shares in Tower Limited

10,121Based on a Dividend of NZ$0.04 per

share declared on 24 November 2022

ANNUAL REPORT 2023121Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Tower subsidiary company directors
Directors of Tower’s subsidiary companies during the year to 30 September 2023 were:

TOWER SUBSIDIARY COMPANY DIRECTORS

Tower Services Limited Blair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Angus Shelton

The National Insurance Company of New Zealand LimitedBlair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Angus Shelton

Tower Group Services (Fiji) Pte Ltd

Previously known as National Insurance Company

(Holdings) Pte Limited

Blair Turnbull

Isikeli Tikoduadua (retired 24 April 2023)

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

Veilawa Rereiwasaliwa (from 24 April 2023)

Southern Pacific Insurance Company (Fiji) LimitedBlair Turnbull

Isikeli Tikoduadua

Barry Whiteside

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

Tower Insurance (Fiji) LimitedBlair Turnbull

Isikeli Tikoduadua

Paul Johnston

Barry Whiteside

Ronald Mudaliar

Tower Insurance (Cook Islands) LimitedBlair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

National Pacific Insurance LimitedBlair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

TOWER SUBSIDIARY COMPANY DIRECTORS

National Pacific Insurance (Tonga) LimitedBlair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

Tower Insurance (Vanuatu) LimitedBlair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Stephen Grant Ives

Ronald Mudaliar

National Pacific Insurance (American Samoa)Blair Turnbull

Ronald Mudaliar

Paul Johnston

Tower Insurance (PNG) Limited

(ceased to be a subsidiary on 28 October 2022)

Blair Turnbull

Paul Johnston

Ronald Mudaliar

Ernie Gangloff

ANNUAL REPORT 2023122Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

Other matters
Donations

During the financial year ended 30 September 2023, donations made by Tower Limited,

and its subsidiaries totalled $1,000.00.

Credit rating

In April 2023, global rating organisation A.M. Best Company affirmed Tower Limited’s

financial strength rating of A- (Excellent).

Waivers

Tower Limited did not rely on, or make any applications for, waivers from the NZX Listing

Rules or the ASX Listing Rules in the financial year ending on 30 September 2023.

Trading Halts, Suspension, Cancellations and other Powers

A trading halt was put in place pending the release of TWR’s full year results

announcement, which was delayed due to the file size exceeding the NZX market

announcement platform limits. The trading halt remained in place until the release of

TWR’s full year results.

Limits on acquisition of securities under New Zealand law

Tower undertook to the ASX, at the time it granted Tower a full listing in July 2002 to

include the following information in its annual report. Except for the limitations detailed

below, Tower securities are freely transferable under New Zealand law.

The New Zealand Takeovers’ Code prohibits a person (including associates) from

increasing their shareholding to more than 20% of the voting rights in Tower except in

accordance with the Takeovers Code. The exceptions include a full or partial takeover

offer in accordance with the Takeovers Code, a scheme of arrangement (under the

Companies Act 1993), an acquisition or an allotment approved by an ordinary resolution

of shareholders, a creeping acquisition (in defined circumstances) and a compulsory

acquisition once a shareholder owns or controls 90% or more of the voting rights in

Tower.

The New Zealand Overseas Investment Act 2005 and related regulations determine

certain investments in New Zealand by overseas persons. Generally, the Overseas

Investment Office’s consent is required if an ‘overseas person’ acquires Tower shares

or an interest in Tower shares of 25% or more of the shares on issue or, if the overseas

person already holds 25% or more, the acquisition increases that holding.

The New Zealand Commerce Act 1986 is likely to prevent a person from acquiring Tower

shares if the acquisition would, or would be likely to, substantially lessen competition in

a market.

Corporations Act 2001 (Australia)

Tower is not subject to Chapters 6, 6A, 6B or 6C of the Corporations Act 2001 (Australia)

dealing with the acquisition of shares (such as substantial holdings and takeovers).

The Annual Report is signed on behalf of the Board by:

Michael Stiassny Graham Stuart

Chair Director

ANNUAL REPORT 2023123Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsGRI content index ContentsCorporate governance

124ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

GRI CONTENT
INDEX

125ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION
GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021

2-1 Organisational detailsPg 130 Tower Directory

2-2 Entities included in the

organisation’s sustainability

reporting

Pg 130 Tower Directory

2-3 Reporting period,

frequency and contact

point

Tower reports sustainability information annually. This report covers

the period 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2023. This report was

published on 23 November, 2023. Questions about this report can be

directed to Emily.Davies@tower.co.nz

2-4 Restatements of

information

This is Tower’s second report in accordance with the GRI Standard

2-5 External assuranceExternal assurance approach is covered in our Corporate Governance

Statement which can be found in this link: https://www.tower.co.nz/

investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

We have not sought external assurance on our sustainability

information.

2-6 Activities, value chain

and other business

relationships

https://www.tower.co.nz/about-us/

2-7 EmployeesTower has 897 employees across New Zealand and the Pacific, 64%

of whom are women, 35% are men, 1% are gender diverse, non-

binary, or transgender. This is based on the 96% of staff who chose

to disclose their gender. The numbers of permanent, temporary,

full, and part-time employees broken down by gender and region is

currently not available.

2-8Workers who are not

employees

As at 30 September 2023, Tower had 50 contingent workers who are

predominantly independent contractors on either direct or agency

contracts engaged in technology or project-based work. There were

no significant fluctuations in this number during the reporting period.

2-9Governance structure

and composition

Our Governance structure and composition, along with a list of

committees of the highest governance body can be found here:

https://www.tower.co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/

the-board/

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION

2-10Nomination and selection

of the highest governance

body

https://www.tower.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TOWER-

Constitution.pdf

2-11Chair of the highest

governance body

Pg 58

2-12Role of the highest

governance body

in overseeing the

management of impacts

Pg 49

2-13Delegation of responsibility

for managing impacts

The board delegates day-to-day management of the company to

the CEO and does not currently provide for any additional specific

delegation of ESG impacts.

2-14Role of the highest

governance body in

sustainability reporting

Pg 49

2-15Conflicts of interestSee Code of Conduct Policy in this link: https://www.tower.co.nz/

investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

2-16Communication of critical

concerns

See Corporate Governance Statement in this link: https://www.tower.

co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

Communication of critical concerns regarding ESG topics is

unavailable.

2-17Collective knowledge of

the highest governance

body

See Corporate Governance Statement in this link: https://www.tower.

co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

Actions to advance the collective knowledge, skills, and experience

of the highest governance body on sustainable development will

continue to be undertaken in FY24.

2-18Evaluation of the

performance of the highest

governance body

See Corporate Governance Statement in this link: https://www.tower.

co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

2-19Remuneration policiesSee Corporate Governance Statement in this link: https://www.tower.

co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

Tower has reported the information cited

in this GRI content index for the period 1

October 2022 to 30 September 2023, in

accordance with the GRI Standards.

GRI 1: Foundation 2021GRI 1 used:

Statement of use:

GRI content index

ANNUAL REPORT 2023126Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION
2-20Process to determine

remuneration

See Director and Executive Remuneration Policy and Remuneration

and Appointments Committee Terms of Reference in this link:

https://www.tower.co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/

policies/

2-21 Annual total compensation

ratio

Not disclosed: information on annual compensation ratio is not

reported externally.

2-22 Statement on sustainable

development strategy

Pg 48

2-23 Policy commitmentsRelevant policies currently in place can be found here: https://www.

tower.co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

2-24Embedding policy

commitments

See Corporate Governance Statement in this link: https://www.tower.

co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

2-25Processes to remediate

negative impacts

Pg 52-57

https://www.tower.co.nz/contact-us/complaints-and-compliments/

Remediation process for our material impacts is covered under the

relevant topics.

2-26 Mechanisms for seeking

advice and raising

concerns

See Code of Conduct Policy in this link: https://www.tower.co.nz/

investor-centre/corporate-governance/policies/

Staff are encouraged to raise concerns with their manager, or a senior

leader. Tower’s whistle blower service provides a confidential avenue

to report any serious concerns.

2-27Compliance with laws

and regulations

In FY23 Tower recorded no significant instances of non-compliance

with laws and regulations. Accordingly, there are no fines to report.

2-28Membership associationsTower is a member of Insurance Council of New Zealand and is active

in ICNZ’s Climate Change committee. Tower is also a member of the

Sustainable Business Council.

2-29Approach to stakeholder

engagement

Tower takes a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement.

Our company purpose and values have stakeholders at the heart,

see pages 18 and 19. Similarly, our Southern Star drives outcomes for

customers and our people, see ‘our vision’ page 19. Our ESG strategy

was developed in consultation with a range of stakeholders and

considers our impacts on various stakeholder groups.

2-30Collective bargaining

agreements

None

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION

GRI 3: Material Topics 2021

3-1Process to determine

material topics

Pg 51

3-2List of material topicsPg 52-57

3-3Management of material

topics

See material impacts table Pg 52-57, for all.

GRI 305: Emissions 2016

305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG

emissions

Pg 50

Scope 1 emissions include distributed natural gas in New Zealand

and vehicle fleet fuel in New Zealand and the Pacific.

FY20 chosen as the baseline year as this was the first year Tower

measured emissions.

New Zealand emissions factors used were sourced from Ministry

for the Environment’s (MfE) 2020 Measuring Emissions: A Guide

for Organisations. Emissions for Pacific Island electricity use were

sourced from emissionfactors.com and were derived from UN 2021

and IPCC 2006.

Quantities of each greenhouse gas are converted to tonnes CO2e

using the global warming potential from the Intergovernmental Panel

on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The

time horizon is 100 years. Further information on methodology and

assumptions is unavailable.

305-2Energy indirect (Scope 2)

GHG emissions

Pg 50

Scope 2 emissions include electricity consumption from all business

premises. See 305-1 for relevant disclosures on baseline year,

emissions factors and methodology and assumptions.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023127Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION
305-3Other indirect (Scope 3)

GHG emissions

Pg 50

Scope 3 emissions include transmission & distribution losses for

electricity & gas, air travel, hotel stays, rental cars, taxi travel, working

from home, paper purchased (NZ only), waste to landfill (NZ only) and

water (NZ and some Pacific locations).

Tower recognises the extent of Scope 3 emissions is significant. We

have chosen to declare the following emissions sources that have

been excluded from our reporting: HFC emissions from refrigeration

or HVAC (NZ and Pacific); employee vehicle claims NZ; transmission

& distribution losses for Pacific electricity; waste generated in

Pacific operations; value chain emissions from purchased goods &

services, capital goods, transportation & distribution – upstream and

downstream, employee commuting, use of sold products, investment

portfolio. Tower will expand its measurement and reporting of scope 3

emissions in FY25. See 305-1 for relevant disclosures on baseline year,

emissions factors and methodology and assumptions.

305-5 Reduction of GHG

emissions

Pg 50

2016 GRI 401: Employment 2016

401-1 New employee hires and

employee turnover

In FY23 Tower hired 294 new employees to address growth and

attrition. These comprised permanent, fixed term and casual new

hires. New hires by Gender: Female: 174, Male: 92, Gender Diverse: 1,

Non Binary: 1, Not disclosed: 26. New hires by region: New Zealand:

140, Pacific: 154.Number and rate of new employees by age is

currently unavailable.

Over the period employee numbers increased by 97 full-time

equivalent staff, from 790 in FY22 to 887 in FY23, due to the 2023

severe weather events and the development of our Customer Hub

in Fiji.

Employee attrition was 20.4% in FY22, reflecting a softening of the

employment market in New Zealand and our decision to expand

our Customer Hub in Fiji, which typically experiences lower level of

employee movement.

401-2 Benefits provided to full-

time employees that are

not provided to temporary

or part-time employees

Benefits are offered to both full-time and part-time permanent

employees. Tower benefits include Group Insurances, parental

leave, ability to buy additional leave, birthday leave, Tower insurance

discounts, health insurance discounts, partner discounts, eyesight

testing, and study assistance.

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION

401-3 Parental leaveTower increased its parental leave offering in FY23 and expanded

it to our teams in the Pacific. From July 2023, all Tower employees

enjoy 16 weeks paid leave for primary carer leave (or maternity leave

as it’s referred to in the Pacific), or four weeks paid partner’s leave for

partners of primary carers.

We also offer all employees compassionate leave and flexible

working on return. Additionally, any annual leave taken on the

employee’s return from parental leave will be paid at their usual rate.

This is more generous than the current Holidays Act legislation and

means take home pay is not affected when the employee takes paid

annual leave.

In FY23: 22 employees took parental leave (all female) versus 27 in

FY22; 18 employees returned to work from parental leave during

FY23 (all female); of these 16 are still employed 12 months after

return to work (all female).

GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018

403-1 Occupational health

and safety management

system

See Health and Safety Policy in this link:

https://www.tower.co.nz/investor-centre/corporate-governance/

policies/

403-2 Hazard identification, risk

assessment, and incident

investigation

Tower’s H&S Management System has an incident register where

incidents are reported. When reporting, it is mandatory that all

incidents are assessed and each incident must have corrective

actions identified and implemented before being closed.

Once reported, incidents are then reviewed by the Health and Safety

Officer who investigates any incidents with a high rating.

Workers are encouraged to report hazards and hazardous situations

through the H&S system. Tower’s H&S Policy is in line with New

Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. All workers have

access to the Health and Safety Policy on Tower’s intranet.

403-3 Occupational health

services

Tower workers have access to Employee Assistance Programme EAP

counselling sessions provided by external trained counsellors. These

sessions are arranged by workers independently and any information

discussed is strictly confidential between EAP and Tower employees.

If employees choose to get health checks, these are done directly

with General Practitioners and results are kept confidential between

the worker and General Practitioner.

GRI content index

ANNUAL REPORT 2023128Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION
403-4 Worker participation,

consultation, and

communication on

occupational health and

safety

As per the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Tower has a team of

Health and Safety representatives from across the business. These

representatives engage and consult with workers regularly and

report any concerns to the Health and Safety Officer and/or at the

regular Health and Safety meeting. Tower’s H&S Management system

is reviewed by the Health and Safety Officer annually to ensure risks

are kept up to date.

Tower has several Health and Safety committees that meet monthly.

Committee members are allocated specific time each month to

undertake their responsibilities. Their responsibilities include but

are not limited to; office inspections, disseminating H&S updates

from the meetings to relative teams, ensuring H&S is on the agenda

at team meetings and promotion of health, safety and wellbeing

education and activities.

403-5 Worker training on

occupational health and

safety

Tower offers training to workers who volunteer to be First Aiders, Fire

Wardens, Mental Health First Aiders and Domestic Violence First

Responders. Additionally, Defensive Driver training every two years is

mandatory for all workers, where their primary employment involves

driving. Asbestos awareness training is mandatory for Building

Assessors. Training is provided free of charge and workers are given

paid leave to undertake all of the above training.

403-6 Promotion of worker healthTower supports its employees that have non-work-related accidents

through workstation assessments to ensure they have the necessary

equipment to undertake their job. Where a return-to-work plan is

required, Tower will work alongside ACC to facilitate a satisfactory

solution for the employee. Health checks in the Pacific are done

through a local General Practitioner, and the results are confidential

and not shared with Tower.

Tower offers employees access to several health promotion services

including; EAP (online and in person), discounted flu vaccinations and

access to trained Mental Health First Aiders (online and in-person).

Tower promotes prevention of communicable diseases in the

Pacific through education on symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Our Rainbow network supports education on AIDS awareness and

prevention.

DISCLOSURELOCATION/INFORMATION

GRI 405: Diversity and Equal Opportunity 2016

405-1 Diversity of governance

bodies and employees

Pg 114-115

405-2 Ratio of basic salary and

remuneration of women

to men

Pg 38

GRI 418: Customer Privacy 2016

418-1 Substantiated complaints

concerning breaches of

customer privacy and

losses of customer data.

In FY23 Tower recorded no substantiated complaints concerning

breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023129Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governance ContentsGRI content index

Tower Directory
Enquiries

For customer enquiries, call Tower on 0800 808 808

or visit www.tower.co.nz

For investor enquires:

Telephone: +64 9 369 2000

Email: investor.relations@tower.co.nz

Website: www.tower.co.nz

Board of Directors

Michael Stiassny (Chair)

Graham Stuart

Marcus Nagel

Geraldine McBride (from 1 October 2022)

Blair Turnbull (from 29 March 2023 - 17 November 2023)

Wendy Thorpe (until 29 March 2023)

Warren Lee (until 30 November 2022)

Mike Cutter (from 17 November 2023)

Chief Executive Officer

Blair Turnbull

Company Secretary

Tania Pearson

Executive Leadership Team (at 30 September 2023)

Blair Turnbull, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Paul Johnston, Chief Financial Officer

Sharyn Reichstein, Chief Risk Officer

Michelle Finch, Chief Revenue, Marketing and Brand Officer

Andrew Hambleton, Chief Administrative Officer

Anna Kooperberg, Chief Customer Experience Officer (on parental leave)

Kieran Simmons, Chief Customer Experience Officer, (Acting)

Ronald Mudaliar, Chief Underwriting Officer

Steven Wilson, Chief Claims Officer

Registered Office

New Zealand

Level 5, 136 Fanshawe Street, Auckland

PO Box 90347

Auckland

Telephone: +64 9 369 2000

Facsimile: +64 9 369 2245

Australia

c/ – PricewaterhouseCoopers Nominees (N.S.W) Pty Ltd

PricewaterhouseCoopers Darling Park Tower 2

Level 1

201 Sussex Street

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Lawyers

MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Banker

Westpac New Zealand Limited

Company numbers

Tower Limited

(Incorporated in New Zealand)

NZ Incorporation 143050

NZBN 9429040323299

ARBN 645 941 028

Stock Exchanges

The Company’s ordinary shares are listed on the NZSX and the ASX. On

Wednesday 18 May 2016, Tower’s ASX admission category changed to

“ASX Foreign Exempt Listing”.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023130Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

Registrar
New Zealand

Computershare Investor Services Limited

Level 2, 159 Hurstmere Road

Takapuna, Auckland

Private Bag 92119

Auckland 1142

Freephone within New Zealand: 0800 222 065

Telephone New Zealand: +64 9 488 8777

Australia

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited

Yarra Falls, 452 Johnston Street

Abbotsford VIC 3067

GPO Box 3329

Melbourne Vic 3000

Freephone within Australia: 1800 501 366

Telephone Australia: +61 3 9415 4083

Email: enquiry@computershare.co.nz

Website: www.computershare.com/nz

Shareholders can also manage your holdings

electronically by using Computershare’s secure website

www.investorcentre.com/nz

This website enables holders to view balances, change

addresses, view payment and tax information and

update payment instructions and report options.

Tower recommends shareholders elect to have any

payments direct credited to their nominated bank

account in New Zealand or Australia to minimise the risk

of fraud and misplacement of cheques.

We also encourage shareholders to receive investor

communications electronically, as delivery of our

communications to you is faster and it is better

for the environment. All you need to do is log in

to www.investorcentre.com/nz and update your

‘Communication Preference’ to enable us to send all your

investor correspondence electronically where possible.

Please quote your CSN number or shareholder number

when contacting Computershare.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023131Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

132ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

insightcreative.co.nz TOW005
133ANNUAL REPORT 2023Our strategy2023 in reviewWeather eventsSustainabilityConsolidated financial statementsCorporate governanceGRI content index Contents

tower.co.nz

---

Tower
2023 Full

Year Results

1 October 2022 to

30 September 2023

23 November 2023

2
Chairman’s update

Michael Stiassny, Chairman

Business update

Blair Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer

FY23 financial performance

Paul Johnston, Chief Financial Officer

Looking forward

Blair Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer

Agenda

3
Chairman’s update

1. Tower demonstrates resilienceto challenges

•Risk-based pricing underpinscompetitive positioning, robust underwriting and continued growth

•Continued support from global reinsurers

2. Insurance remains critical

•Strong growth and retention demonstrate people value theirinsurance

•Tower will continue to develop innovative offers in response to climate change

3. Tower is well positioned looking forward

•Continue to deliver targeted and sustainable growth via strong rating and customer experience

•Improving solvency and capital position through efficient resolution of catastrophe event claims

Tower has navigated a challenging year, remains resilient

4
Business

update

Blair Turnbull

Chief Executive Officer

Results summary
•Proven resilient through record breaking catastrophe events

•Strong premium growth from rate and volume

•Organisational efficiency continues with further reductions in MER

•Comprehensive reinsurance programme renewed for FY24 at competitive rates

•Remediation payments and increased provision impacts reported loss

•Profit and solvency ratio impacted by large events; no dividend in FY23

5

159%
vs 205% in FY22

Solvency ratio

55.5%

vs 48.9% in FY22

Our performance

Business performance impacted by catastrophe events

BAU claims ratio

(Business as usual)

MER

(Management expense ratio)

32.2%

vs 36% in FY22

Large event costs

(including reinsurance reinstatement)

$55.6m

vs $19m in FY22

Reported loss

-$1.2m

vs $18.9m profit in FY22

6

Note 1: Adjusted to exclude Papua New Guinea

Note 2: A definition of underlying profit and a reconciliation to reported loss is included in the appendix

GWP growth

(Gross written premium)

17%| $527m

vs $457m in FY22

1

$7.6m

vs $27.3m in FY22

Underlying profit

321,000

vs 310,000 in FY22

Customers

1

2

Event description
Current

gross

estimateNet cost

Claim numbers

Settled %

Auckland & upper North Island weather event$174m$12m83%

Cyclone Gabrielle$52m$12m84%

Vanuatu cyclones$11m$9m88%

Auckland rain event (9

th

May)$4m$4m88%

Prior year movements$1m

Total $38m

Catastrophic and large weather events

7

T o w e r l a r g e e v e n t s

Note 1: As at 20 November 2023

$241m

1

Mitigating large event impacts in FY24

•Large event allowance of $45m included within FY24 guidance

•The $45m allowance has been calculated with an estimated 90%

confidence the outcome will be below or up to this level

•Additional prepaid third event cover up to $75m

•Catastrophe retention increased to $16.9m (FY23: $11.9m) on first

two events, $20m on third event

Managing impacts of inflation
8

Managing macro environment

•Monthly inflation rate changes

•77 rate changes during FY23

•Sum insured amounts matched to Cordell or CPI

•Rating for reinsurance and weather-related costs

•High theft vehicle rate & excess changes

Underwriting and risk selection improvements

•Risk based pricing & underwriting enhancements:

•Manual underwriting on landslides March ‘23

•Automated underwriting on sea surge July '23

•House new build rate reduction

•Enhanced motor pricing algorithm with use of

additional rating variables

•Effective average premium highlights impact of change in technical premium, excesses,

and sum insured on GWP

•House normalised for change in EQC cap which became effective from 1 Oct ‘22

T o w e r e f f e c t i v e a v e r a g e p r e m i u m g r o w t h

( a n n u a l i n c r e a s e )

Delivering
on our

strategy

10

11
Targeted customer and premium growth

G R O S S W R I T T E N P R E M I U M

B Y P R O D U C T ( $ m )

•17% GWP growth (75% rate: 25% volume)

•19% GWP growth in NZ; 4% GWP growth in Pacific

•26% GWP growth in active partnerships to $82m

•NZ retention stable at 77% (FY22: 78%)

•50% of customers hold multiple policies and have an

average tenure of 8 years

Note 1: Adjusted to exclude Papua New Guinea

1

1

12
Customer experience improves through digital and data

N Z D I R E C T S A L E S O N L I N E

N Z S E R V I C E & C L A I M S T A S K S O N L I N E

•NPS improved to 28% (FY22: 20%); NZ online NPS at 55%

•Service levels improved, abandonment rate reduced to

12% (FY22: 17%)

•My Tower registrations increase 32% to 264k

•Substantial progress made in multi-policy discount

customer remediation. $6.2m excl GST paid by 31 Oct

13
Reducing MER through simplification and digitisation

M A N A G E M E N T E X P E N S E R A T I O ( % N E P )

•Scale and rating reducing MER

•Increased digitisation lowers cost to acquire and serve

•Operational efficiency: Suva hub answering 16% of

inbound calls relating to NZ policies

•Management expense increase below inflation

•Commission ratio at 1.7% from 2.2% reflecting legacy

portfolio purchases and referral arrangements

14
Profit impacted by record events and claims inflation

•Despite unprecedented weather events, inflation, and

crime our core business remains profitable

•Streamlined business, efficiencies, digitisation, and

targeted growth

•Underlying NPAT of $7.6m, reported loss of $1.2m

U N D E R L Y I N G N P A T

( i n c l u d i n g l a r g e e v e n t s )

1

Note 1: A definition of underlying profit and a reconciliation to reported loss is included in the appendix

Note 1: A definition of underlying profit and a reconciliation to reported loss is included in the appendix

Financial
performance

Paul Johnston

Chief Financial Officer

16
Group underlying financial performance

•Strong premium growth of 17%

•BAU loss ratio of 55.5% as a result of increased motor frequency,

high inflation, and higher number of small weather events

•Large event costs of $55.6m including reinsurance reinstatement

•Management expense ratio improved to 32.2% as a result of

expense efficiencies and scale

•Net investment income increased $13.1m due to higher yields

•Underlying NPAT including large events of $7.6m

•Reported loss of $1.2m from non-underlying transactions

including CEQ valuation increase, prior period tax adjustments,

and an increase to the customer remediation provision partially

offset by gain on sale of PNG and Suva building

Note: 1: A definition of underlying profit and a reconciliation to reported loss is included in the appendix

1

Key ratios (% of NEP)

FY23FY22Change

Claims ratio excluding large events

55.5%48.9%6.6%

Large event costs ratio

13.4%5.3%8.1%

Management expense ratio

32.2%36.0%(3.8)%

Combined ratio

C


C

101.0%90.1%10.9%

Reported (loss)/profit after tax


​​

18.9(20.1)(1.2)

Non-underlying transactions (net of tax)


​​

(8.5)(0.4)(8.9)

Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT)


​​

27.3(19.7)7.6

Tax


​​

(10.9)6.3(4.6)

Other income


​​

1.30.92.3

Net investment income


​​

1.213.114.3

Underwriting (loss)/profit


​​

35.7(40.1)(4.3)

Net commission expense


​​

(9.3)1.0(8.3)

Management expenses


​​

(120.6)(5.0)(125.7)

Large event claims expense


​​

(19.0)(19.2)(38.2)

Large event reinsurance reinstatement

(17.4)0.0(17.4)

BAU claims expense


​​

(176.5)(54.6)(231.1)

Net earned premium


(NEP)

​​

361.155.2416.3

Reinsurance


​​

(69.5)0.1(69.5)

Gross earned premium


(GEP)

​​

430.755.1485.8

$ million

​​​

FY23FY22Change


Unearned premium


​​

(26.6)(14.4)(41.0)

Gross written premium


​​

457.369.5526.8

17
•Underlying NPAT of $7.6m, $19.7m below FY22

•Business growth at a BAU COR of 90%

•Higher BAU loss ratio from elevated motor frequency, higher

cost of claims from inflation, and supply chain constraints

•Reduction in MER contributes $11.4m post tax to underlying

NPAT

•Additional large events impact of $26.4m post tax including

reinsurance back-up costs ($55.6m pre-tax FY23 vs $19m

FY22)

•Reported loss impacted by remediation provision increase

Underlying NPAT impacted by large events

M O V E M E N T I N U N D E R L Y I N G N P A T

Note 1: A definition of underlying profit and a reconciliation to reported loss is included in the appendix

1

18
BAU claims challenged by motor frequency and inflation

N Z M O T O R F R E Q U E N C Y & S E V E R I T Y

•High inflation period and supply chain capacity constraints

impacting cost of claims (severity)

•NZ motor claims frequency above historical norms

•Covid lockdowns lowered motor frequency in previous periods

•Motor theft contributing to higher frequency and severity

•Higher number of small weather events

Note 1: Severity is defined as the cost of claims (excluding large events, large house, windscreen) divided by the count of claims.

Note 2: Frequency is defined as the number of claims (same exclusions as above) divided by risks in force

The historical severity and frequency numbers are updated to the current estimates as at 30 September 2023 reflecting development of prior year claims in their respective incurred periods

N Z H O U S E F R E Q U E N C Y & S E V E R I T Y

T O T A L C L A I M S R A T I O

1

2

19
BAU claims challenged by motor frequency and inflation

•BAU loss ratio increased by 6.6% to 55.5% in FY23

•FY22 benefited from a lower frequency as a result of Covid

lockdown in late 2021

•Motor frequency is elevated above historical norms

predominately due to increased motor theft

•Motor severity impacted by high inflation and supply chain

disruptions. Loss ratio increasing due to inflation running ahead

of rating changes to earned premium

•House loss ratio impacted by higher number of small weather

events in FY23 and inflation

20
Continued improvement in management expenses

M O V E M E N T I N M A N A G E M E N T E X P E N S E R A T I O ( M E R )

•MER reduced 3.8% to 32.2%

•Scale contributes a 4.8% reduction in MER

•Commission expenses decreased due to the

purchase of legacy portfolios

•Inflationary impacts offset by cost containment

and efficiencies particularly in personnel

•Amortisation increases from investment spend

and legacy portfolio purchases

21
Higher investment returns as yields increase

Note 1: Core investment portfolio refers to Tower’s fixed income investment portfolio in NZ. It excludes cash held for operational purposes in NZ and cash and short-term deposits held by Tower’s

Pacific subsidiaries. Subsidiaries of banking groups with a credit rating have been grouped under their parent bank’s credit rating, even if unrated themselves

C O R E I N V E S T M E N T P O R T F O L I O Y I E L D

•Net investment income (NII) $14.3m for FY23, $13.1m higher than FY22

•Running yield on the core investment portfolio has increased to 6.07% at 30 September 2023

•Benefit from low duration strategy (target of 0.5 years) minimised mark to market losses (included in NII)

•Tower maintains a conservative investment strategy

•Outlook for investment income is to remain near current levels

A S S E T P R O F I L E – A L L C A S H & I N V E S T M E N T S

1

22
Reinsurance programme supports resilience

FY23

•Reinsurance expected to cover $204m of large

events costs in FY23

•Catastrophe cover was reinstated following the two

catastrophic events at a cost of $17.4m

FY24

•Catastrophe reinsurance of up to $750m for two

events (FY23: $889m) reduced following EQC cap

change

•Additional prepaid third event catastrophe cover up

to $75m with $20m retention

•FY24 retention limits and programme premium

increases mitigated due to 3 year rolling contracts

$750m

$75m

1st Cat loss

(retention $16.9m)

2nd Cat loss

(retention $16.9m)

1st Cat event2nd Cat event3rd Cat event

3rd Cat loss

(retention $20m)

Reinsurance

coverage of

$733.1m

Reinsurance

coverage of

$733.1m

Reinsurance

coverage of

$55m

23
Canterbury earthquake claims reducing

O P E N C E Q C L A I M S

•Full year charge of $1.2m after tax as a non-underlying item

•23 properties open as at 30 September 2023 with numbers of new claims reducing

•Remaining gross outstanding claims provision is $19.1m down from $24.5m at September 2022

24
Capital and solvency position

Note 1: SR = Solvency ratio – the ratio of actual solvency capital to minimum solvency capital

Note 2: New internal target combines the licence condition, target solvency margin and operating range

T O W E R S O L V E N C Y - N Z P A R E N T ( $ m )

•Solvency ratio of 159% (FY22: 205%)

•Solvency margin is $53.8m above RBNZ minimum

solvency capital although below new internal target

of $67.4m

•Minimum solvency capital has increased from

historical levels due to underlying business and

claims growth, higher catastrophe risk retention, and

capital required for open catastrophe claims

•Solvency position is expected to improve further in

FY24 due to business profit and as catastrophe

claims continue to be settled

•FY24 solvency will be reported under the new

Interim Solvency standards released by RBNZ with

no material change in excess solvency expected

•A- credit rating reaffirmed in April 2023 by AM Best

SR = 215%

SR = 205%

SR = 125%

SR = 225%

SR = 159%

2

1

25
FY24 guidance

FY23 ActualFY24 GuidanceFY25 Target

GWP growth

(excluding operations sold)

17%10% - 15%10% - 15%

Large events allowance$38m$45m

Underlying NPAT

(assuming full utilisation of large events allowance)

$7.6m$22m -$27m

Management expense ratio32.2%30% - 32%<28%

Combined operating ratio101%95% - 97%<91%

Return on equity12% - 15%

1

Note 1: Return on equity is defined as reported net profit after tax divided by average closing book equity

Looking
forward

Blair Turnbull

Chief Executive Officer

FY24 priorities
•Continuing to invest in customer experience and targeting profitable growth

•Completing remediation and further improving transparency of discounts

•Settling FY23 catastrophe event claims

•Continuous efficiency, digitisation, and process improvements

•Investing in future resilience and sustainability

27

28
Leading customer experience and targeted growth

•Enhanced risk-based pricing – landslide, sea surge

automated through quote to buy in FY24

•New business product mix shift towards house

•Leverage existing partnerships to grow organically

•Rating changes made in FY23 will continue to flow

through as policies renew

•Targeting underlying GWP CAGR of 10%-15% to FY25

29
Continuous improvement on efficiency & processes

•Targeting 80% digital transactions of all NZ service

tasks by end FY25 (FY23: 55%)

•New house and motor assessing systems to be

launched in FY24 reducing assessment time and

repair costs

•Expecting Suva hub to answer more than half of

Tower’s call volume

•Streamlining the business through sale of Solomon

Islands subsidiary and NZ rural commercial portfolio

•Intention to sell Vanuatu subsidiary

•Targeting MER of 28% in FY25

M A N A G E M E N T E X P E N S E R A T I O ( % N E P )

30
Investing in future resilience and sustainability

•Large event response embedded within operations and

conservative financial allowance within guidance

•Parametric partnership with CelsiusPro, global insurtech

•Targeting to sell10K+ parametricpolicies across five countries

byFY25

•Emissionsnow 13% below baseline year. Planning to expand

Scope 3 measurementin FY24.

•Climate-related financial disclosure in2024

•Aiming to achieve B Corp accreditation in the coming year

Questions?

Appendices

33
P A R T N E R S H I P S G W P ( $ m )

P A C I F I C G W P ( $ m )

Channel and efficiency improvements

•22% premium growth to $391m

•88% legacy portfolio policy retention

•264k My Tower registrations, up 32%

•26% active partner growthto $82m

•Advisor network grew 66% to 2,500

•Commission reduced to 1.7% of GEP

(FY22: 2.2%)

•Simplifying: PNG & Solomon

Islands sale

•My Tower live in 7 countries

•Tightening risk appetite

PARTNERSHIPSTOWER DIRECTPACIFIC

Note: 1:Legacy partnership portfolios have been transferred from the Partnerships business unit to Tower Direct after purchase, being ANZ in FY21, TSB and Westpacin FY22,

Kiwibank in FY23

1

T O W E R D I R E C T G W P ( $ m )

34
Reconciliation between underlying profit after tax and reported loss after tax

Underlying and reported (loss)/profit:

•“Underlying (loss)/ profit” does not have a standardised meaning under

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP).Consequently it may not

be comparable to similar measures presented by other reporting entities

and is not subject to audit or independent review

•Tower uses underlying (loss)/profit as an internal reporting measure as

management believes it provides a better measure of Tower’s underlying

performance than reported (loss)/profit, as it excludes large or non-

recurring items that may obscure trends in Tower’s underlying

performance, and is useful to investors as it makes it easier to compare

Tower’s financial performance between periods

•Tower has applied a consistent approach to measuring underlying profit

in the current and comparative periods

•“Reported (loss)/profit after tax” is calculated and presented in

accordance with GAAP and is taken from Tower Limited’s financial

statements for the year ended 30 September 2023

(1)Non-underlying items include net impact of Canterbury earthquake valuation update, customer remediation provision update, regulatory and compliance projects

(such as the adoption of IFRS-17), gain on sale of operations and building and a prior period tax adjustment

(2)Reclassification of claims handling expenses from management expenses to net claims expense, FX gains/losses from other income to management expenses, and

reinsurance reinstatement costs as reinsurance expenses

(3)Operations sold during FY23 and those held for sale as at 30 September 2023 are treated as discontinued operations for statutory purposes

35
Disclaimer

This presentation has been prepared by Tower Limited to provide shareholders with information on Tower’s business. This

document is part of, and should be read in conjunction with an oral briefing to be given by Tower. A copy of this webcast of the

briefing is available at http://www.tower.co.nz/investor-centre/It contains summary information about Tower as at 30

September 2023 which is general in nature, and does not purport to contain all information a prospective investor should

consider when evaluating an investment. It is not an offer or invitation to buy Tower shares. Investors must rely on their own

enquiries and seek appropriate professional advice in relation to the information and statements in relation to the proposed

prospects, business and operations of Tower. The data contained in this document is for illustrative purposes only. Past

performance is not a guarantee of future performance and must not be relied on as such. The information in this presentation

does not constitute financial advice.

Forward looking statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements. Such

statements relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur

in the future and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions.

There are a number of factors which could cause actual results and

developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by

such forward-looking statements, including, among others: the

enactment of legislation or regulation that may impose costs or restrict

activities; the re-negotiation of contracts; fluctuations in demand and

pricing in the industry; fluctuations in exchange controls; changes in

government policy and taxation; industrial disputes; and war and

terrorism. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of

this document.

Disclaimer

Neither Tower nor any of its advisers or any of their respective

affiliates, related bodies corporate, directors, officers, partners,

employees and agents (other persons) makes any representation or

warranty as to the currency, accuracy, reliability or completeness of

information in this presentation. To the maximum extent permitted by

law, Tower and the other persons expressly disclaim any liability

incurred as a result of the information in this presentation being

inaccurate or incomplete in any way. The statements made in this

presentation are made only as at the date of this presentation. The

accuracy of the information in this presentation remains subject to

change without notice.

---

1

Tower FY23 Results Announcement Script

Slide 1 – 2023 Full Year Results

Michael Stiassny

Mōrena, good morning and thank you for making the time to join us for this

investor call and presentation of our 2023 full year results.

Slide 2 - Agenda

With me in Auckland is our Chief Executive Officer, Blair Turnbull and our Chief

Financial Officer, Paul Johnston who will take you through the results and

answer your questions.

Slide 3 – Chairman’s update 

The word ‘unprecedented’ gets bandied around plenty these days, but is an

appropriate description for what the global insurance industry has faced in

2023.

A raft of catastrophic weather events worldwide not only highlighted the

immediate impacts of climate change, but also put all insurance businesses on

notice that the risk environment in which we operate is irrevocably altered.

Risk-based pricing continues to be Tower’s best protection to address these

issues and has enabled us to remain resilient, withstanding the challenges the

year served up.

Resilience to challenges

Tower has been the poster child for risk-based pricing in New Zealand. We

were the first to implement risk-based pricing for inland flooding, and we

continue to expand hazard modelling to other climate-related risks. Our view


2


remains that risk and pricing transparency is not only fairer to customers but is

in the best interests of our shareholders.

It has certainly proven to be a compelling factor in securing a comprehensive

reinsurance programme for FY24 at competitive rates. This is crucial as

reinsurance provides protection from volatility caused by large events,

maintains flexibility to enable Tower’s growth and supports strong solvency.

However, while risk-based pricing successfully underpins Tower’s competitive

pricing, robust underwriting, continued growth, and response to issues arising

from climate change, it is not a cure-all for all challenges.

Insurance remains critical

Ideally, comprehensive insurance would be affordable and accessible for all.

Unfortunately, the twin challenges of an inflationary environment and

increasing risks from climate change make this unrealistic.

The unpalatable truth is that not everyone is – or will be – able to afford to

insure their home in the way they do now.

However, the New Zealand market enjoys strong insurance penetration and

people will be loath to give up all protection. So, while affordability is currently

presenting challenges, the desire and need for insurance will not dissipate. Our

view is that fortune will favour those insurers who can pivot and adapt,

something that Tower has the digital capability and proven ability to do.

Tower will continue to innovate by developing cost-effective alternatives to

traditional, comprehensive insurance cover. In the future, options likely to be

offered in New Zealand include parametric cover, which has already been

successfully trialled in the Pacific, and named perils policies which only cover

certain hazards - for example, offering fire only policies in flood-prone areas.


3


This approach is already common in many other parts of the world and, while

it will take some getting used to, it will likely become a necessary replacement

to comprehensive cover for at least some New Zealanders.

In short, Tower’s continued resilience will be fostered through innovation and

meeting the market where it is at... not where we would like it to be.

Well positioned

Despite the obstacles of 2023, Tower continues to be well positioned for long

term growth.

Looking ahead, Tower’s sharp focus is on continuing to deliver strong,

sustainable growth via its rating approach and customer experience. Careful

risk selection and risk-based pricing expansion will remain at the forefront of

our strategy.

Tower’s solvency margin is $53.8m which is above RBNZ’s minimum solvency

capital. And, although this is below historical levels, it will continue to increase

in FY24 as catastrophe event claims are settled.

The fundamentals remain strong.

[pause]

I would like to welcome Mike Cutter who has recently joined the Board and

thank Blair for his contribution as an interim Board member. Mike brings

extensive global governance and executive experience in the financial services

sector that will be invaluable as Tower continues to evolve. 

Finally, on behalf of the Board, our sincere thanks to the entire Tower team –

from the frontline to management – for digging deep in tough times to deliver

on our strategy while supporting our customers and communities.


4


I’ll now hand over to Blair and Paul, who will take you through the results and

outlook before we take questions. 

Blair Turnbull

Slide 4 – Business update

Kia ora, thank you Michael and good morning, everyone.

Thank you for joining us for our 2023 full year financial results.

Slide 5 – Results summary

Here is a summary of our results, which overall demonstrate Tower’s resilience

through a challenging year.

I will talk through these points in more detail shortly, but first, an overview of

our performance this year.

Slide 6 – Our performance – Business performance impacted by catastrophe

events

Gross written premium for the year to 30 September increased to $527 million,

up 17% on the same period last year. This was driven by strong rating actions,

as well as continuing customer acquisition and retention.

Customer numbers increased to 321,000, up from 310,000 in FY22.

Increasing inflation and a higher frequency of motor claims have contributed

to an increase in the BAU claims ratio to 55.5% compared to 48.9% in FY22.

Tower is continuing to apply targeted rating and underwriting actions to

address these challenges.


5


We are pleased to see our management expense ratio improve again to 32.2%

versus 36% in FY22, thanks to our disciplined cost control and improved

efficiencies through digitisation and increasing scale.

Large event costs totalled $55.6m, up from $19m in FY22. These costs include

the additional reinsurance cover purchased to reinstate our reinsurance

arrangements following the two New Zealand catastrophe events earlier this

year.

Given these large events costs, our solvency ratio decreased to 159% from

205% in FY22, but remains in a solid position, which Paul will talk to shortly.

Despite these challenges, we are reporting an underlying profit after tax of

$7.6 million, down from an underlying profit of $27.3m in the full year 2022.

Reported FY23 loss was $1.2m compared to an $18.9m profit in FY22.

On the basis of these results Tower will not pay a full year dividend in FY23.

Slide 7 – Catastrophic and large weather events

As you can see in this graph large events costs have been rising steadily in

recent years.

Tower is monitoring these trends and has important mitigations in place to

help manage these risks. Our robust reinsurance arrangements have provided

protection from catastrophe events this year. We estimate reinsurance will

cover more than $200m of customers’ claims for both catastrophe events

combined.

As at 20 November we had completed approximately 84% of claims for the

New Zealand weather events and 88% of claims for the Vanuatu cyclones. We

are working hard to close the remainder.


6


To help mitigate large events impacts in FY24 we have purchased cover for two

catastrophe events up to $750m each as well as prepaid cover for a third event

up to $75m.

We have also included a large events allowance of $45m within our guidance.

This allowance has been calculated with an estimated 90% confidence the

outcome will be below or up to this level.

We now plan for a higher frequency and intensity of large events in both our

financials and our operations.

Slide 8 – Managing impacts of inflation

While we respond to the challenges presented by climate change, including

increasing reinsurance and other weather-related costs, Tower has also been

actively managing the impacts of inflation.

Tower’s dynamic rating ability saw monthly inflation-based rate changes and

other pricing activity total 77 rate changes in the year.

We are also continuing to improve the accuracy of existing customers’ sum

insured amounts (and therefore their pricing). In New Zealand, for the second

year running, nearly 100% of our house customers’ sums insured were

updated automatically as part of their renewal offer, mainly using data from

the Cordell calculator. This helps customers choose a suitable level of cover.

As we have noted earlier this year, motor theft is a continuing challenge in

New Zealand therefore we continue to increase premiums and excesses for

vehicle models that are being stolen more regularly.

This chart demonstrates the annual growth in Tower's average premium, after

taking into account changes to excesses and sum insured amounts. The


7


substantial annual growth highlights the impact of technical premium

increases and how these flow through to Gross Written Premium.

Increases to home insurance premiums were moderated by the change in the

EQC cap which became effective from 1 October 2022.

We are also continuing to address the challenges presented by inflation

through strong, disciplined underwriting.

Following the New Zealand large events in January and February this year, we

introduced manual underwriting for landslide risks and automated

underwriting on sea surge risks.

Risk ratings for these hazards will be presented to customers in My Tower in

the coming months.

We are also targeting good risks, like new build homes, with competitive rates.

On the motor side we continue to improve our data by taking a more granular

approach to rating factors that are proven to influence claims frequency and

severity.

This helps predict the likelihood of claims and possible customer behaviours,

with greater accuracy.

We are also exploring new telematic options.

Ultimately this is all about getting the right risks at the right price for the right

customers.




8


Slide 9 – Delivering on our strategy

I am proud of Tower’s resilience which has enabled us to continue delivering

on our strategy this year while responding to catastrophic events and other

external challenges.

Slide 10 – Our strategy

At Tower, our purpose is to inspire, shape and protect the future for the good

of our customers and communities. After a year navigating the impacts of

catastrophic weather events in New Zealand and Vanuatu, widespread

inflation and increasing crime, our purpose is more important than ever.

In FY23 we took the opportunity to review and confirm our strategy and focus

on four key areas. These are:

• delivering a leading customer experience;

• being operationally efficient and effective;

• continuing to develop our high performing culture, and;

• ensuring continued resilience.

Our focused outcomes will help lead to the new two year financial targets that

Paul will talk through shortly alongside our FY24 guidance.

Slide 11 – Targeted customer and premium growth

Tower’s focus on simple and rewarding customer experiences combined with

consistent rating actions continues to drive strong growth, in both customers

and premium.

As you can see in this chart, we are growing steadily in our core home,

contents and motor product offerings with GWP reaching $527m year on year.


9


In the context of this high inflation environment, our 17% growth in premium

reflects an appropriate mix of rating and organic growth with 75% of premium

growth driven by decisive rating actions.

Our Partnerships channel is delivering positive growth with GWP from active

partners in New Zealand increasing by 26% to $82m in the year.

We also continue to drive customer engagement, with our retention rate for

New Zealand remaining stable at 77%. Half of our customers hold multiple

policies with us and these customers stay with us for an average of eight years.

Slide 12 – Customer experience improves through digital and data

Our digital platform is improving the overall Tower experience for our

customers as they increasingly adopt our online sales and service channels.

In FY23 77% of New Zealand Direct sales occurred online, up from 66% in the

prior year, while 56% of New Zealand service and claims tasks were completed

online, up from 50% in FY22.

Customer satisfaction for these online engagements remains strong - our

combined New Zealand net promoter score for online experiences remains

steady at 55%.

With our core platform now live across the Tower group we are able to flex

resource up or down across Fiji and New Zealand, our two biggest markets.

Following post-covid resourcing challenges in FY22, which led to customer

service challenges, we scaled up our operations, particularly through our Suva

hub. This helped our call abandonment rate improve to 12%, down from 17%

in FY22.


10


We are pleased to see My Tower registrations continue to rise, increasing by

32% this year to 264,000 registrations. We look forward to this number

climbing further now that My Tower is live in all the markets where we

operate.

An important part of delivering the leading customer experience we aspire to

is fronting up and fixing things when we don’t get them right.

As we noted in our recent market announcement, we have made substantial

progress in refunding customers who did not receive their correct multi policy

discounts extending back to 2016. As of 31 October we had paid $6.2m

excluding GST to these customers.

Paul will talk through the financial impacts of this in more detail shortly.

Importantly we are focused on putting things right for customers and we

sincerely apologise to those who have been affected.

In addition to reviewing our processes, we are also redesigning and simplifying

our multi-policy discount offering.

Slide 13 – Reducing MER through simplification and digitisation

Our investments in simplifying and digitising our business continue to deliver

MER improvements. And in the context of the external challenges we are

managing, we are particularly pleased to have achieved yet another reduction

in MER to 32.2% this year.

Contributing to this MER improvement is our increasing scale as well as the

rating actions we have taken to tackle inflation and other external challenges.


11


With our core platform across all countries, another key driver of MER

improvement is our increased digitisation which continues to lower the cost to

acquire and serve customers.

The expansion of our Suva hub this year has also delivered operational

efficiencies as we moved workflows between sites to manage workload peaks.

In the year our Suva team answered 16% of all New Zealand calls to Tower,

and we expect this portion to increase further.

Pleasingly these efficiencies have also seen our management expenses

increase at below the rate of inflation.

Our commission ratio continues to improve, reducing to 1.7% in the year from

2.2% in FY22 thanks to legacy portfolio purchases and commission terms

focused on referral arrangements.

Slide 14 – Profit impacted by record events and claims inflation

Despite the unprecedented year of weather events, record inflation and crime,

our underlying core business remains profitable.

This is due to our actions to streamline the business, continuous efficiencies

through digitisation, and targeted customer growth.

Slide 15 – Financial performance title slide – Paul Johnston

I will now hand you over to our chief financial officer Paul Johnston who will

take you through the details of our financial performance this year.

Slide 16 – Group underlying financial performance

Thank you, Blair.


12


Looking at the consolidated results, we can see that growth in GWP has been

strong, increasing by $69.5m, or 17%, on FY22. This growth was predominantly

driven by rating actions and excludes Tower’s Papua New Guinea subsidiary

which was sold during the year.

Increased motor frequency, along with high inflation and a higher number of

small weather events contributed to our BAU loss ratio increasing 6.6% to

55.5%.

Large events costs totalled $55.6m and included net claim costs of $38.2m and

reinsurance reinstatement costs of $17.4m.

Pleasingly, the MER improved to 32.2% as a result of expense efficiencies and

scale.

Higher yields have seen net investment income increase by $13.1m to $14.3m.

Underlying NPAT before large events was $7.6m down from $27.3m in the

prior year, reflecting the catastrophic weather events experienced in FY23.

Including large events costs we have reported a net loss after tax of $1.2m.

This was impacted by non-underlying transactions which include an increase to

the CEQ valuation, tax adjustments relating to the prior period, and an increase

to the customer remediation provision. These were partially offset by gains on

the sale of our Papua New Guinea subsidiary and our building in Suva.

Slide 17 – Underlying NPAT impacted by large events

Here is the bridge between underlying NPAT in FY22 of $27.3m and underlying

NPAT of $7.6m in FY23.


13


You can see that business growth, MER and investment income have helped

support this result, but large events, and the change in the BAU loss ratio have

had adverse impacts this year.

Slide 18 – BAU claims challenged by motor frequency and inflation

We have been taking strong rating actions over the past two and a half years

to combat rapidly increasing inflationary pressures.

However, BAU claims costs continue to be challenged by the increasing

frequency of motor claims as well as inflation and supply chain capacity

constraints which are impacting the severity, or cost of claims.

These are continuing to track above historical norms in New Zealand, following

a more subdued period due to Covid lockdowns in previous periods.

Motor crimes tend to result in the total loss of a vehicle, so this trend of

increasing motor theft contributes to both higher frequency and severity.

Average New Zealand motor claims costs are now up to $3,201.

While house claims frequency in New Zealand is flat at 7.2%, the average

severity is up to $3,766.

These factors have led to our BAU loss ratio increasing to 55.5%. The large

events experienced this year have contributed an additional 13.4% to a total

claims ratio of 68.9%.

Tower has applied targeted premium increases across motor and home to

offset inflation and other increases. We also continue to work closely with

supply chain partners while focusing on internal efficiencies to moderate the

impact on customers as much as possible.


14


Slide 19 – BAU claims challenged by motor frequency and inflation

This page illustrates the increase in the loss ratio from FY22 to FY23, reflecting

the increases to motor and home severity as outlined on the previous page.

Slide 20 – Continued improvement in management expenses

We are pleased to see our management expense ratio continue to reduce with

an improvement over the year of 3.8% to 32.2%.

Increased scale from business growth has enabled efficiencies and a 4.8%

reduction in MER with a further 0.3% decrease in net commission expenses

due to the legacy portfolio purchases.

The effects of inflation were offset by cost containment measures in the year,

particularly staff costs which provided a 1.1% decrease.

A 0.8 percentage increase in amortisation was due to legacy portfolio

purchases and continued spend on investments to drive growth and efficiency

automations.

Slide 21 – Higher investment returns as yields increase

Net investment income in FY23 increased to $14.3m before tax, this was

$13.1m higher than in FY22.

This increased income reflects interest rates stabilising, resulting in higher

running yields.

Tower maintains a conservative investment policy with a focus on high credit

quality and liquidity bonds, and a target duration for the core investment

portfolio of six months.


15


Our strategy has mitigated the impact on our profit from macroeconomic

factors and mark to market movements in the past, and now allows us to

benefit from higher interest rates, as evidenced by the running yield on the

core investment portfolio increasing to 6.07% at 30 September 2023.

Our outlook for investment income is to remain near current levels over the

next year.

Slide 22 – Reinsurance programme supports resilience

Tower’s reinsurance strategy provides protection from volatility caused by

large events and maintains financial flexibility to support growth, while

underpinning strong solvency.

This resilience was realised in the year as we expect our reinsurance

arrangements to cover $204m of FY23 large event claims costs.

In line with our conservative approach to reinsurance, we reinstated our

reinsurance arrangements following the two catastrophe events at a cost of

$17.4m.

We were very pleased with the successful placement of our reinsurance

arrangements for FY24 which include catastrophe reinsurance of up to $750m

for two events with an excess of $16.9m for each event. This was down from

$889m in FY23 due to the EQC cap change which reduced the amount of

coverage needed.

We have also purchased coverage for a third event of up to $75m with a $20m

excess.



16


Slide 23 – Canterbury earthquake claims reducing

We are continuing to make steady progress in settling Canterbury claims with

33 closed over the year. In line with expectations, we received an additional 20

new overcap and reopened claims, bringing the total number of open claims to

23 at 30 September 2023. This was a net decrease of 13 from the end of

September 2022.

FY23 has seen an adverse Canterbury earthquake P&L charge of $1.2m after

tax in non-underlying items.

Some of our open CEQ claims are complex and long-term. However, the

remaining gross outstanding claims provision reduced to $19.1m over the year

from $24.5m at September 2022.

We continue to closely manage these outstanding claims and our specialist

team is working to finalise claims as efficiently as possible.

Slide 24 - Capital and solvency position

We progressed well settling catastrophe event claims in the second half of

FY23 and collecting the recoveries from reinsurers which has improved our

solvency position compared to the first half. With a solvency ratio of 159%, we

are now holding $53.8m above the minimum capital required for solvency. This

is below our new internal target of $67.4m set in preparation for the new

interim solvency standards released by RBNZ.

Our minimum solvency capital has increased from historical levels due to

underlying business and claims growth, higher catastrophe risk retention, and

capital required for open catastrophe claims.


17


We expect our solvency position to further improve in FY24 due to business

profit and as catastrophe claims continue to be settled.

In FY24 solvency will be reported under the new Interim Solvency Standard

with no material change in excess solvency expected.

Our A- credit rating was reaffirmed in April by AM Best.

Slide 25 – FY24 guidance

In FY24 Tower expects GWP growth - excluding revenue from sales of

subsidiary operations - of between 10% and 15%.

We have set a conservative large events allowance of $45m for FY24 versus

$38m in the prior year. Consistent with FY23, we will measure large events as

those which have a total cost of more than $2m.

Assuming full utilisation of the large events allowance Tower anticipates

underlying NPAT of between $22m and $27m.

We expect further improvements to our management expense ratio which we

anticipate will be between 30% and 32% in FY24. As the rating and other

actions that we have in place to address inflation begin to improve our BAU

loss ratio, we expect a reduction in our combined operating ratio to between

95% and 97%.

You’ll note new, medium-term targets that we are sharing with the market for

the first time today. In FY25 we will be focused on delivering another 10% to

15% GWP growth, a management expense ratio of less than 28% and, a

combined operating ratio of less than 91%. We are targeting a return on equity

of between 12% and 15%.


18


Slide 26 – Looking forward

Thank you. I will now hand back to Blair who will provide an update on our

priorities for FY24.

Blair Turnbull

Thank you, Paul.

Slide 27 – FY24 priorities

In line with our strategy and focus on delivering the medium-term targets Paul

just highlighted, our five priorities for the coming year are clear.

I will take you through some of the actions that support these priorities in our

final few slides.

Slide 28 – Leading customer experience and targeted growth

We will continue to invest in creating leading customer experiences and

targeting profitable growth.

This includes adding landslide and sea surge risk ratings to our automated

customer-facing quote-to-buy tool, where customers can already see their

home’s risk ratings for earthquake and flood hazards.

In the coming year, we anticipate a greater proportion of new business to

come from home insurance policy sales as we target high quality risks. This

includes a greater emphasis on new builds.

We will continue to grow organically through our existing partnerships.

And we expect the rating changes we made in FY23 to continue to flow

through the portfolio as policies renew.


19


An important priority is to complete the multi-policy discount remediation

while continuing to redesign our multi-policy discount offering. As you can see

in the example on this phone screen on the slide, we are also working to give

customers greater transparency of their discounts.

Slide 29 – Continuous improvement on efficiency & processes

We’re focused on delivering efficiency, digitisation and process improvements.

By the end of FY25 we want digital transactions to account for 80% of all New

Zealand service tasks, increasing from 55% at the end of FY23.

We will launch new house and motor assessing systems to reduce assessment

times and repair costs. And we are expecting more than half of our call

volumes to be answered by our team in Suva.

We will continue to streamline the business through the sale of our Solomon

Islands subsidiary and exiting our New Zealand rural commercial portfolio.

It is also our intention to sell our Vanuatu business and we are going through a

process of identifying a buyer. We’ll update you once we have progressed this

further.

Slide 30 - Investing in future resilience and sustainability

We will continue to invest in our future resilience and sustainability.

Large events are now business as usual for insurers and we will continue to

protect both our financial and operational resilience by conservatively

budgeting for increased large events costs while embedding large events

response processes into our everyday operations.

We are scaling our parametric insurance offering by partnering with global

insurtech, CelsiusPro and the United Nations to expand our pilot beyond Fiji to


20


Tonga. We plan to offer parametric insurance across five Pacific territories by

FY25.

We are excited by the possibilities parametric insurance provides for people

who may not benefit from traditional insurance products.

We are reducing our operational emissions which are now 13% below our

baseline year. In FY24 we will expand our measurement of scope 3 emissions

to include emissions from our underwriting activities and supply chain. While

we expect the inclusion of this previously unreported data to increase Tower’s

total carbon emissions profile, we look forward to turning this new information

into actions that contribute to a low carbon future.

Our first Climate-related Financial Disclosure is required for the 2024 financial

year. We look forward to sharing more information with you then about how

we are preparing for a range of possible futures shaped by climate change.

We know that sustainability issues are important to our people and customers.

Our consumer research shows that for almost half (47%) of people, a

commitment to sustainability and climate action matters when choosing an

insurance company.

With this in mind, Tower is aiming to achieve B Corp accreditation in the

coming year. B Corp is a globally recognised sustainability benchmark which

measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact.

Thank you for your time this morning, I will now hand back to the operator to

ask for questions.

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.