Rothbury Insurance Brokers

What Rothbury Insurance Brokers does

Rothbury Insurance Brokers Limited is a New Zealand-headquartered independent insurance brokerage founded in 1950, operating as the core operating subsidiary of Rothbury Group Limited. The company distributes personal, commercial, and specialty insurance products on behalf of clients through a network of 23 branches nationwide, a mobile application (My Rothbury App), and a dedicated Kiwibank-branded team. It earns revenue primarily through commissions paid by insurer partners (including Vero/IAG, Chubb, AIG, QBE, Lloyd's, and AMP) on placed policies, supplemented by premium funding fees via Rothbury Instalment Services Limited, employee benefits consulting via Rothbury Employee Benefits Limited, and underwriting agency income via NZ Underwriting Agencies Limited.

The company serves a distributed base of over 53,000 clients ranging from individual consumers and high-net-worth households (through its Private Client offering) to small and mid-sized businesses across more than 20 specialty verticals (aviation, childcare, churches, hairdressers, IT contractors, motels, taxi drivers, motor dealers, rural contractors, and others). It also operates a dedicated Asian Broking (亚洲部) division in Takapuna, Auckland serving Chinese-speaking clients with Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking brokers. Claims management is a meaningful operational capability, with the in-house claims team handling more than 16,000 claims in the most recent reported year.

Rothbury's distribution model is sales-led and relationship-driven, with brokers operating across branch offices supplemented by digital enquiry channels and a dedicated banking channel via Kiwibank. The technology stack is centered on a standard brokerage management workflow with a proprietary consumer-facing mobile app; the company shows no meaningful AI/ML, API platform, or proprietary underwriting technology investment in the source data. Recent corporate activity is concentrated on inorganic growth, most notably the March 2024 acquisition of Austinsure from Steadfast Group NZ Holdings Limited, which expanded the broker network and added scale to the Auckland and broader New Zealand footprint.

Name

Rothbury Insurance Brokers

Legal name

Rothbury Insurance Brokers Limited

Website

https://rothbury.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Rothbury Insurance Brokers is an independent New Zealand insurance brokerage founded in 1950, distributing personal, commercial, and specialty insurance through 23 branches, a Kiwibank channel, and a mobile app to over 53,000 clients nationwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines) (FSAEADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAA)

Keywords

• Commercial insurance brokerage
• Personal insurance brokerage
• Specialty insurance solutions
• Insurance claims management
• Premium funding services

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: Rothbury generates revenue through commissions paid by insurance providers for placing client policies. As an independent insurance broker, the company works on behalf of clients to find suitable coverage from multiple insurers, earning commission-based compensation from those insurers.
2. Premium Funding Services: Through Rothbury Instalment Services Limited, the company provides premium funding allowing clients to pay insurance premiums by instalment, generating fee income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rothbury Insurance Brokers is an independent New Zealand insurance brokerage that places business, personal, and specialty insurance policies with a panel of 50+ insurer partners on behalf of clients. The firm provides advice, broker-led placement, ongoing policy servicing, claims advocacy, and premium funding through its 23-branch network and the My Rothbury mobile app.

Product overview

Rothbury Insurance Brokers is a New Zealand-based insurance brokerage offering three core insurance product lines: Business Insurance (liability, property, vehicle, cyber coverage), Speciality Insurance (niche industry-specific products), and Personal Insurance (home, contents, vehicle, travel coverage). The company operates a multi-channel distribution model including direct broker services, the My Rothbury App digital platform, and insurer partner network. Recent expansion through Austinsure acquisition adds to their network of 23 locations nationwide serving over 53,000 clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Rothbury App: Mobile application for managing insurance cover at fingertips
• Asian Broking (亚洲部)

Products and services

• Business Insurance Comprehensive commercial insurance solutions covering liability, property, vehicles, business interruption, cyber, D&O, professional indemnity, statutory liability, employee benefits, and management liability for businesses of all sizes.
• Speciality Insurance Tailored insurance products for niche industries and trade groups including aviation, childcare, churches, hairdressers, IT contractors, motels, photographers, motor dealers, taxi drivers, rural contractors, non-profits, and trades.
• Personal Insurance Individual insurance coverage including home, contents, vehicle, boat, jet ski, and travel insurance for individuals and families across New Zealand.
• Private Client Insurance Customised insurance for high-value personal assets including homes valued above $2.5 million, contents above $250,000, jewellery, wine, fine art, and classic or prestige vehicles, targeting high-net-worth individuals.
• Asian Broking Service Specialised insurance broking service for the Chinese community in New Zealand, providing personal service in Mandarin and Cantonese across business and personal lines.
• My Rothbury App Mobile application allowing clients to access their insurance cover details and manage policies at their fingertips.
• Claims Management Service Dedicated claims handling service with a nationwide team supporting clients through the claim lodgement and settlement process across business and personal lines.
• Rothbury Instalment Services Premium funding service allowing clients to pay insurance premiums by instalment, generating transaction-based fee income.
• NZ Underwriting Agencies Underwriting agency providing specialised insurance underwriting services as a Rothbury Group subsidiary.
• Rothbury Employee Benefits Employee benefits advisory and broking service provided to corporate clients via subsidiary Rothbury Employee Benefits Limited.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 16,000 claims managed last year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Vero Insurance New Zealand LimitedcoreOthersPrimary insurer partner providing Vero, Star, AMP Brands, Mariner Marine Insurance Ltd, and Nautical Insurance Underwriting Agency Ltd coverage through Rothbury brokers
• IAG New Zealand LimitedcoreOthersMajor insurer partner underwriting State, AMI, NZI, NAC, some Classic Cover, Lantern, Swann, IUA and Lumley brands
• Chubb Insurance New Zealand LimitedcoreOthersInsurer partner also underwriting Rosser brands and Protecsure Pty Ltd
• AIG Insurance New Zealand LimitedcoreOthersMajor global insurer partner also underwriting Mecon policies
• QBE Insurance (Australia) LimitedcoreOthersMajor international insurer partner providing coverage through Rothbury brokers
• Lloyd's of LondoncoreOthersWorld's largest insurance market providing access to multiple underwriting agencies including Dual, Event Cover, IUA, 360 Commercial Ltd, and many specialty markets
• IBANZ (Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand)strategicOthersRothbury is a Corporate Member of IBANZ, the single industry body for insurance brokers in New Zealand providing industry strength and support
• NZI / IAG New ZealandcoreOthersThrough Ag Guard Limited, NZI (business division of IAG New Zealand) provides coverage for various business sectors
• Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance CompanyminorOthersAlso underwrites TLC Underwriting Agency Ltd through the partnership
• The Hollard Insurance Company Pty LtdminorOthersUnderwriter for Ando Insurance brand
• Steadfast Group NZ Holdings LimitedstrategicOthersAustinsure Ltd is listed as a Steadfast Group company partner. Rothbury was acquiring 100% of Austinsure shares from Steadfast Group NZ Holdings Limited, expected to complete 15 March 2024
• KiwibankstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated Kiwibank team providing insurance services to Kiwibank customers through Rothbury brokers
• Allianz Partners New ZealandminorOthersInternational insurer partner providing travel and assistance coverage
• Austinsure LtdcoreOthersInsurance broker subsidiary acquired by Rothbury from Steadfast Group NZ Holdings Limited in March 2024

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Steadfast Group Limited: Australian-listed insurance broker network that previously owned Austinsure (acquired by Rothbury in March 2024). Indirectly comparable through its broker network model and NZ presence — relevant as a counterparty, network operator, and potential acquirer.
• Lumley / IAG New Zealand: NZ's largest general insurer, parent of brands including State, AMI, NZI, NAC, Lumley, and Swann. Functions as a major insurer partner to Rothbury while competing at the carrier level — relevant for understanding the concentrated supply side of the NZ broker market.

Broad incumbents

• Aon New Zealand: Global insurance and reinsurance broker with a sizable NZ presence serving large commercial accounts and specialty risks. Competes with Rothbury for mid-market and large commercial clients while also offering wider risk advisory and HR consulting services.
• Willis Towers Watson (WTW) New Zealand: Global advisory, broking, and solutions firm with NZ operations spanning insurance brokerage, consulting, and actuarial services. Comparable in commercial and specialty broking but with broader integrated consulting capabilities.
• Arthur J. Gallagher (NZ): Global insurance broker with NZ operations following its acquisition of Crombie Lockwood. Brings international scale and specialty resources into NZ, competing for mid-to-large commercial accounts against Rothbury.
• Marsh New Zealand: Global insurance broker and risk advisor operating in NZ, focused primarily on enterprise and specialty commercial risks. Overlaps with Rothbury's commercial and specialty lines while operating with a fundamentally different scale and client mix.

Emerging players

• Delta Insurance Group: NZ-focused specialty insurance and underwriting agency with emphasis on niche commercial and specialty lines. Overlaps with Rothbury's specialty broking and underwriting agency subsidiary while competing in similar boutique segments.

Direct peers

• ICIBI Insurance Brokers: NZ-based independent insurance broker group formed from multiple regional brokerages. Direct competitor operating a similar multi-branch independent broker model with comparable personal, commercial, and specialty offerings.
• Crombie Lockwood: One of New Zealand's largest independent insurance broker networks offering business, personal, and specialty insurance. Direct competitor across product lines, customer segments, and geographic footprint with comparable multi-branch distribution.
• PMC Insurance Brokers: NZ-based independent insurance broker providing commercial and personal lines, with multi-branch regional presence. Comparable independent broker model competing for similar SMB, commercial, and personal insurance clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RothburyNZ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/497926

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rothbury Insurance Brokers