New Zealand Banking Association
1. Business / Trading Name: New Zealand Banking Association – Te Rangapū Pēke (formerly New Zealand Bankers’ Association).
2. Company Number: (Unincorporated association; not registered as a company).
3. NZBN (NZ Business Number): (No NZBN listed; operates as an unincorporated industry association).
4. Entity Type: Non-profit unincorporated association (industry trade association for banking sector).
5. Business Classification: Industry association for banking and financial services (advocacy and policy representation).
6. Industry Category: Finance – Banking industry.
7. Year Founded: 1891 (established as the “Associated Banks in New Zealand”; renamed New Zealand Bankers’ Association in 1958, and as the New Zealand Banking Association in 2023[1]).
8. Addresses:
• Physical/Head Office: Level 2, Brandon House,149 Featherston Street, Wellington
• Postal: PO Box 3043, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
9. Website URL:
http://www.nzba.org.nz/
10. LinkedIn URL: (No association page on LinkedIn).
11. Company Hub NZ URL: (No specific Company Hub profile; see Companies Office or BusinessNZ references).
12. NZ Companies Office URL: (Not incorporated as a company or society; no Companies Office registry entry).
13. Social Media URLs:
(No official Facebook or Instagram; public communications via website, staff LinkedIn posts and media releases.)
14. Ultimate Holding Company: None – the Association is member-owned
15. Key Shareholders: Not applicable (no shareholders; 18 member banks fund and control the Association). (Full members list under “Clients/Members” below.)
16. Leadership (Governance and Executive): (*denotes previous or present role in government)
Roger Beaumont (CEO)[2]
Antony Buick-Constable* (Deputy Chief Executive and General Counsel)
Dan Huggins (Chair)
17. Staff:
Philip van Dyk* (Communications Director)
Miles Erwin* (Engagement Director)
Sam Schuyt (Associate Director - Policy and Legal Counsel)
18. Staff with Previous Government Roles: Miles Erwin – Engagement Director, is a former government communications advisor (Ministry of Economic Development) and liaises with MPs/ministers. Karen Scott-Howman – past NZBA CEO – previously a legal adviser at the Broadcasting Standards Authority and Ministry for Culture & Heritage. (No known former Ministers or MPs on staff; primarily ex-industry and ex-public service backgrounds.)
19. Past Employees:
Karen Scott-Howman (CEO)
Vittoria Shortt (Chair)
Steve Jurkovich (Chair)
20. Clients/Members
Member Banks: 18 registered banks in New Zealand :
ANZ Bank NZ
ASB Bank
Bank of China (NZ)
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
China Construction Bank (NZ)
Citibank NA
The Co‑operative Bank
Heartland Bank
The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC)
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (NZ)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
Kiwibank
KB Kookmin Bank (Auckland branch)\
MUFG Bank
Rabobank NZ
Southland Building Society (SBS Bank)
TSB Bank
Westpac NZ
21. Industries/Sectors Represented: Primarily banking and financial services (commercial banking, retail banking, banking technology/payments). Also indirectly represents related services via Affiliate Members (credit card networks Visa, American Express & Mastercard, and banking sector law firms Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh, etc.).
22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements:
• Parliamentary Submissions: Regular submissions on laws/regulations affecting banking. Examples: Lobbying Disclosure Bill 2012 (NZBA submission to Govt Administration Committee) ; Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act amendments; Privacy Bill; Deposit Takers Bill (deposit insurance) ; Financial Markets (Conduct) legislation; Consumer Credit law reforms. These submissions are public record via Parliament or MBIE/Treasury websites.
• Select Committee Appearances: NZBA representatives often appear in select committee hearings (e.g. Finance & Expenditure Committee) to speak on behalf of banks. (E.g. NZBA testified on the Credit Contracts Legislation Amendment Bill and Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Bill in recent years – transcripts in parliamentary records.)
• Ministerial Meetings (Diary Disclosures): Ministerial diary releases show meetings between NZBA officials and government ministers. For instance, in Feb 2019 Commerce Minister Kris Faafoi’s diary, a meeting is recorded with NZBA CEO Roger Beaumont and lobbyist Miles Erwin at Parliament to discuss consumer credit issues. Such engagements, when proactively released under the Official Information Act, confirm direct lobbying.
• Regulator Consultations: Frequent input to the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ) and Financial Markets Authority. E.g. NZBA published its submission on RBNZ capital requirements (2019) on its website, and corresponded with RBNZ on macro-prudential policy (debt-to-income limits, etc.).
• Public Campaigns: NZBA often communicates through media on policy – e.g. press releases welcoming or criticising policy changes, which are picked up by news outlets . These statements serve as disclosed advocacy.
23. Affiliations:
• BusinessNZ (Affiliated Industries Group): NZBA is a member of BusinessNZ’s Affiliated Industries Group. Through this umbrella, it coordinates with other industry associations to present a united business voice on cross-sector issues (e.g. regulation, taxation).
• International/Other: NZBA historically administered NZ’s banking industry standards and clearing systems until 2010, when it helped establish Payments NZ Ltd (now an independent industry utility). NZBA maintains close links with Payments NZ on payments policy.
• Banking Ombudsman Scheme: NZBA founded the independent Banking Ombudsman in 1992 and continues to appoint two board members to the Ombudsman’s governing board (ensuring industry representation in the dispute resolution scheme).
• Member of Tāwhia Māori Banking Rōpū: (Internal affiliation) NZBA received its Māori name “Te Rangapū Pēke” from Tāwhia (a Māori bankers network), reflecting engagement with Māori business and cultural stakeholders.
24. Sponsorships / Collaborations:
• Financial Inclusion & Accessibility: NZBA leads an “Older and Disabled Persons Banking Group” in collaboration with groups like IHC and Age Concern, to improve accessible banking services. It has worked with the NZ government on initiatives for vulnerable customers (e.g. producing Easy Read versions of the Code of Banking Practice for people with disabilities).
• Financial Literacy: Participates in the annual Money Week (financial capability) campaigns alongside the Retirement Commission. Member banks (through NZBA) support school and community financial education programs (often via individual bank programs, with NZBA amplifying industry efforts).
• Anti-Fraud/Scam Initiatives: In partnership with government agencies (like Police, CERT NZ) and consumer groups, NZBA in 2023 launched the “Take a sec to check” anti-scam public awareness campaign. NZBA also sponsors events such as the Fraud Film Festival to highlight fraud prevention (NZBA’s CEO featured in 2023 festival sessions). In 2024, NZBA wrote to the government urging a public-private Anti-Scam Centre and offering industry support.
• Community Support: NZBA coordinates industry charitable contributions for crisis relief. For example, after the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks, NZBA and member banks jointly donated NZ$1 million to a victims’ fund. During COVID-19, member banks (via NZBA announcements) contributed to emergency funds and refrained from government wage subsidies.
25. Events:
• Regional Banking Hubs Trial: NZBA and six major banks jointly launched regional “banking hub” pilots (since 2020) to provide banking services in small towns losing bank branches. NZBA-organized community consultations and media events for these hubs (e.g. opening of hubs in Opōtiki, Ōamaru, etc. in 2021–2023).
• Annual Meetings & Conferences: NZBA holds an Annual Council Meeting (AGM of member bank CEOs) and periodic industry forums (closed to public). It does not host large public conferences, but its leaders appear in industry events (e.g. NZ Finance Summit, parliamentary seminars on banking).
• Parliamentary Functions: Occasionally, NZBA co-hosts Parliament receptions or briefings on banking issues (for example, a parliamentary breakfast on financial inclusion in 2019, in collaboration with an MP caucus group – as noted in NZBA newsletters). (These events are part of advocacy outreach, though not always publicly advertised.)
(If no major public events are hosted solely by NZBA, note that NZBA’s advocacy is mostly through direct consultation and media rather than public event campaigns.)
26. Political Donations: None disclosed. NZBA itself does not donate to political parties. As a not-for-profit industry body, it pools member fees for advocacy, not partisan donations. (The major member banks individually make occasional donations or sponsor political events in compliance with NZ electoral law, but the Association has no recorded political contributions.) (In the COVID-19 context, NZBA was criticised for banks’ limited charitable giving, indicating no significant political gifting either.)
27. Controversies:
• Opposition to Lobbying Transparency (2012): NZBA drew criticism for opposing the Lobbying Disclosure Bill in 2012. In its submission, NZBA argued the bill was “unnecessary” for NZ and imposed excessive compliance costs, suggesting instead that MPs disclose meetings. This stance – effectively helping kill a lobbying transparency law – has been highlighted as protecting its behind-closed-doors influence.
• Banking Conduct & Culture (2018): In the wake of Australia’s banking misconduct inquiry, NZBA’s then-CEO Karen Scott-Howman strongly asserted NZ banks did not have the same issues. Consumer advocates questioned NZBA’s assurances and whether self-regulation (like NZBA’s Code of Banking Practice) was sufficient. The NZ Government and regulators ultimately proceeded with new conduct regulation, implicitly rebuffing NZBA’s claims that no further law was needed.
• COVID-19 Mortgage “Holiday”: In 2020 NZBA coordinated a six-month loan deferral scheme for pandemic-hit borrowers. While NZBA hailed its success, some commentators (e.g. Simplicity’s Sam Stubbs) accused banks of profiting via continued interest charges and called NZBA “disingenuous” for portraying deferrals as generous. NZBA’s Roger Beaumont defended the scheme as vital relief, but the episode drew debate about the industry’s social license.
• RBNZ Capital Requirements Dispute (2018–2019): NZBA fiercely opposed the Reserve Bank’s proposal to almost double bank capital reserves. The Federated Farmers lobby oddly echoed NZBA’s warnings about costs in its own press release, prompting media to question if NZBA was enlisting other groups to amplify its message. Federated Farmers denied any formal alliance, stating they quoted NZBA for “balance”. Ultimately, RBNZ proceeded (with a longer phase-in), and critics noted the intense bank lobby campaign via NZBA and others.
• “Banking Oligopoly” Debate (2023–2024): As NZ’s big four banks reaped record profits, NZBA faced scrutiny in the Commerce Commission’s retail banking market study. When the Commission’s final report (Aug 2024) recommended only modest changes, NZBA “welcomed” the findings. This led commentators like Dr. Bryce Edwards to suggest the “bank lobby” had headed off radical reforms, preserving an oligopoly. Political leaders even acknowledged NZBA’s power – Finance Minister Nicola Willis remarked “the bank lobby may be strong, but democracy is stronger” in vowing to act on the report’s recommendations. The perception that NZBA’s influence helped dilute tougher measures (such as forcing more competition) is a live controversy.
28. Other Information of Note:
• Name Change in 2023: In February 2023, the NZBA rebranded as the “New Zealand Banking Association – Te Rangapū Pēke”, updating its English name (from “Bankers’” to “Banking”) to emphasize representing the industry rather than individual bankers, and formally adopting a Māori name. This was seen as a modernising move, though some skeptics viewed it as cosmetic “integrity washing” while core lobbying activities continued unchanged.
• Code of Banking Practice: NZBA publishes the voluntary Code of Banking Practice, first introduced in the 1990s, with periodic updates (latest edition 2018). The Code sets standards for banks (e.g. fair treatment, complaint handling). While it’s a self-regulatory tool, NZBA often cites the Code to counter calls for regulation, claiming high industry standards. Consumer groups have at times challenged the Code’s adequacy (e.g. early 2000s disputes over liability for internet banking fraud led Consumer NZ to fight NZBA’s stance). The Code’s existence is frequently highlighted in NZBA’s advocacy to show the industry’s commitment to good conduct.
• Economic Footprint: Through its members, NZBA indirectly represents one of NZ’s largest economic sectors. The banking sector contributes significant tax revenue (NZ$2.8 billion in 2023) and employs ~29,000 people in NZ. NZBA leverages this data publicly to underscore the industry’s importance (often to argue against policies it views as threatening bank viability or investor confidence).
• Interaction with Regulators: NZBA regularly hosts forums with the Reserve Bank and Treasury – for example, “Regulatory Priorities” roundtables listed on its website. It maintains a close consultative relationship with regulators (while still lobbying against certain proposals). This dual role sometimes raises eyebrows about regulatory capture – however, regulators like RBNZ have in recent times pushed back despite NZBA’s lobbying (e.g. going ahead with stricter capital rules).
• Revolving Door Watch: While no high-profile politicians have directly joined NZBA, the movement of leaders like Kirk Hope (from NZBA to BusinessNZ) exemplifies how influence can shift across lobbying bodies. NZBA’s close ties with BusinessNZ (whose own staff and board include former government figures) means NZBA can indirectly access ex-official networks. Additionally, member banks often hire former ministers or officials as board members or advisors (creating potential backchannels for NZBA’s agenda via those banks).
29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: No. NZBA did not receive COVID-19 wage subsidies. It continued operating with its small staff funded by member banks throughout the pandemic. (Notably, major member banks also declined wage subsidies in 2020 and instead contributed to community relief funds.)
[1] https://www.nzba.org.nz/2023/02/01/nzba-announces-new-name/#:~:text=NZBA%20was%20established%20in%201891,the%20New%20Zealand%20Bankers'%20Association.
[2] https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/the-life/my-net-worth-roger-beaumont-ceo-new-zealand-bankers-association
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz