AA Insurance has become the first general insurer in New Zealand to sign the Pride Pledge, a move designed to promote safety, visibility, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ communities both within the company and in its external dealings.
The Pride Pledge is a commitment that aligns with AA Insurance’s broader objective of fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment, according to Stephen Grey, talent acquisition Consultant and leader of the insurer’s rAAInbow Employee Action Group.
“The Pride Pledge is about growing awareness and understanding. It’s a natural fit with our commitment to supporting and empowering our people,” Grey said.
In its initial steps, AA Insurance has rolled out Pride Pledge training to its leadership team and is planning to expand rainbow-focused education and resources across the company.
Additionally, the insurer’s digital team is working with the rAAInbow group to incorporate gender expression and inclusive pronouns into future digital initiatives.
In a LinkedIn post, AA Insurance leaders shared their experiences with the Pride Pledge.
John Lewis, head of enterprise data and architecture and sponsor of the rAAInbow group, emphasised his own journey in becoming a better ally.
“Attending the Pride Pledge leadership session was about growing my own knowledge and understanding so I can continue to use my position (and privilege) to create a safer and more inclusive organisation for our Rainbow communities,” he said.
Nancye Maloni, home claims manager, discussed the intersectionality of her role as both a Rainbow ally and a woman of Pacific heritage. She pointed out how the training allowed her to reflect on the balance between cultural traditions and embracing diversity.
“I strongly believe that meaningful efforts in education and dialogue can help in bridging the obstacles between respecting cultural traditions and embracing diversity in an authentic way,” she said.
Harmony Underwood, claims improvement manager, highlighted the importance of continuous learning to foster inclusivity.
“I attended the session as I believe that we all have an important part to play in learning how we can be more inclusive, supportive, and understanding of the many diverse communities that exist,” she said.
Martin King, director of the Pride Pledge, emphasised the continuous nature of promoting rainbow inclusion, describing it as an ongoing effort rather than a final destination.
“Rainbow inclusion isn’t so much a destination as it is about a continuous journey. We’re looking forward to working together so AA Insurance is supported with additional training and practical advice to ensure progress is meaningful,” he said.
By taking this pledge, AA Insurance joins other prominent New Zealand organisations, including Fletcher Building, PwC, Southern Cross Healthcare, Auckland Transport, Air New Zealand, and Kiwibank, in committing to raising awareness and support for rainbow communities.
In addition to reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion, AA Insurance has expanded its operational abilities.
The insurer has partnered with Drive Group, a well-established entity in the Australian vehicle repair market, to open a new motor vehicle collision repair centre in East Tamaki, Auckland.
Launched this month, this facility aims to address the growing demand for vehicle repairs, driven by the increasing complexity of modern vehicles.
Simon Hobbs, chief operating officer of AA Insurance, stressed the importance of understanding the repair industry’s evolving dynamics to ensure consistent service delivery.
“An important part of our job is to assess and understand the lifecycle of our repairers so we can plan for changes in the market and take steps as needed to ensure we can continue providing the service our customers expect of us,” he said.
The new repair centre is expected to reduce wait times for customers and optimise the repair process.
Hobbs added that smaller repair shops would also benefit from reduced backlogs, leading to increased efficiency and quicker service for customers.
