New Zealand Superannuation Fund wins INFINZ* Excellence in Treasury Award

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund last night took out one of the top prizes at the 2012 INFINZ Industry Awards, winning the ‘Massey University College of Business Excellence in Treasury’ award category.

Established in 2009, the Fund’s Treasury function has expanded rapidly to become a key driver of value for the $19.4b Fund, which aims to smooth the tax burden of the rising cost of New Zealand Superannuation, by investing money today to pay for superannuation entitlements in the future.

Key achievements have included bringing currency management in-house, resulting in considerable cost savings and improved risk management; and designing a framework to test the adequacy of the Fund’s liquidity in stress scenarios.

The Treasury team, which manages around 40% of the Fund’s total assets, has also expanded its activities beyond traditional treasury management, and looks to add value using a range of investment strategies.

Other finalists in the category were Meridian Energy and Telecom, for the Chorus demerger.

General Manager Asset Allocation Neil Williams said the award was welcome recognition for a “mammoth effort” by his team.

Ends

* Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc.

For more information

Catherine Etheredge, Head of Communications, New Zealand Superannuation Fund, 09 366 4905, 027 4777 501, cetheredge@nzsuperfund.co.nz, www.nzsuperfund.co.nz