Parasitic worm unlikely hero

A trans-Tasman research team believes hookworms may be the key to treating Coeliac Disease.  Remarkably, it seems these parasitic worms produce molecules beneficial to gut flora in people suffering from inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. It’s called worm-induced immune modulation and, according to the Bowel and Liver Trust’s General Manager, Margaret Fitzgerald, it could…

Risky business

We all love the convenience and ease of digital life, but cyber insurance is one of the fastest growing insurance lines for a reason. The simple fact is, the bigger your digital footprint, the greater the risk of unwelcome attention – to you, your family, your business and your customers.  And while it’s tempting to…

What do EQC’s claims handling changes mean for you?

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) reviewed its claims management process last year in the wake of widespread criticism following the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Under a new agreement between EQC and the Insurance Council of New Zealand that came into effect in December 2016, policyholders now deal directly with their insurers for all earthquake-related house and contents…

ACC levies – are you paying too much?

Following a $35,000 client refund from ACC, our dedicated Life and Health adviser Bree Catterall says it pays to check your ACC levy calculation. Your ACC levy is determined by the Business Industry Classification Unit (BIC) code assigned to your business, but it’s an arbitrary grouping applied across the workplace and business owners need to…

New addition to our Board

We welcome Tim Loan to the Abbott Board as the Southsure appointed director.  Tim has extensive experience in the banking and information systems industries and is currently the Chief Financial Officer at SBS Bank. Based in Invercargill, Tim joined the Board in May and offers a fresh insight into financial services as SBS Bank continues…

Fire & general policyholders face levy increases

  With the Earthquake Commission and Fire Service levies on the increase, it can be tempting to look for ways to save but whatever you do, don’t compromise your insurance cover. It’s important you continue to have the right cover in place, where and when you need it. If you are concerned about the impact of…

Walk the line

From Invercargill to Cape Reinga, we walked an imaginary line up the islands in an increasingly competitive office challenge. With our standardized, office issued pedometers at the ready, our in-house health promotions committee of Donna, Kendal and Lynne, divided the Christchurch team into four, and gave us four weeks get to Cape Reinga – one…

Bowel & Liver Trust fundraising boost

Help us reach our fundraising target by purchasing your Entertainment 2017 membership through us. With 20 percent of each digital membership or book sold going to our charity of choice, we’re helping the Bowel & Liver Trust do their vital research and promotion work. So if you’re looking for a corporate gift idea, or something…

Abbott Sharp Shooters win local 5-aside

Congratulations to the aptly named Abbott Sharp Shooters for winning the Coastal Spirit Football Club’s summer five-aside competition in February, beating some interesting rivals in the open grade social draw, including ‘Messi Undies’. The Sharp Shooters starred some of the wider Abbott Christchurch family, with players representing the Cameron, Halpine and Reid families. With plenty…

Bowel and Liver Trust Fundraising

Abbott Group is proud to be a foundation sponsor of the Bowel & Liver Trust, making an annual donation of $10,000 towards the Trust’s lifesaving research and promotional work. But we’re keenly aware that fundraising is a constant demand for Bowel & Liver Trust General Manager Margaret Fitzgerald.  So this year, we’re trialling new ways to…