Australasia CPD Tour – the New Zealand leg
The CPD tour landed in New Zealand on 12 August. We had lively events in both Auckland on 12 August and Wellington on 13 August.
Actuaries Institute President Daniel Smith, CEO David Bell, and I had a busy couple of days taking in two lunches, two dinners as well as the CPD sessions.
Presenter Matthew Michalewicz ran a high energy session on maximising your contribution. I was really impressed with the way he made this real and relevant, covering a wide range of topics from goal setting to our personal brand. I’d recommend this course to all actuaries.
We also had two successful YAP lunches in Auckland and Wellington with a number of good discussions around the room on issues from education to employment prospects.
The tour concluded with meetings at Victoria University, who are planning to offer some actuarial courses next year, and with the Reserve Bank reflecting on the Appointed Actuary three years on.
Paul Rhodes
President, New Zealand Society of Actuaries
The session was realistic, relevant and broad-ranging – I’d recommend this course to all actuaries.
The Australasia CPD Tour drew to a close with a small but enthusiastic gathering in Wellington on 13 August. The afternoon began with a luncheon affording members an opportunity to meet visitors IAA President Daniel Smith and CEO David Bell, and NZSA President Paul Rhodes. Guest speaker Matthew Michalewicz then took over with an exciting and insightful presentation on maximising success, developing your personal brand, and engaging others.
Matthew’s presentation resonated strongly with me. It was refreshing to listen to someone who clearly lived what he advocated. The session also served to underscore the value of some goal- setting wisdom that many of us ‘know’ but often don’t have front-of-mind: setting clear goals that we desire, breaking them into manageable steps, actively taking opportunities that move us forward, and educating ourselves so that we can discern that next step. It was a worthwhile reminder that while there’s power in long-term thinking (‘patience is one of the greatest virtues’), achieving success also requires regular action.
The Actuaries Institute is to be commended for arranging such a relevant and valuable session, and for bringing the Tour to New Zealand shores. Thanks also go to the NZSA for sponsoring the evening’s dinner at Trade Kitchen – it was great to be able to talk with our visitors and colleagues in such a cordial setting.
Jeffrey Azzato
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