7. Communications
7.1 The office endeavours to maintain effective communications with those concerned in the superannuation industry.
As part of this process, office staff have attended various seminars, and discussed various matters concerning the administration of the Act with the Association of Superannuation Funds of New Zealand, Investment Savings and Insurance Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Society of Actuaries, Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand, Inland Revenue Department, Chief Human Rights Commissioner, and the Retirement Commissioner.
7.2 To further smooth the administration of the Act -
- the office continues to be willing to discuss particular problems on an informal basis with trustees and their professional advisers. Within the office a facility is provided to respond to telephone enquiries from trustees and their professional advisers;
- newsletters are issued on technical superannuation matters from time to time. These newsletters are generally subject to a "peer review" process before being issued: a draft of a newsletter is produced within the office, and then sent to selected external industry experts who are invited to comment. However, where the content of the newsletter is not contentious, this procedure may be condensed.
Earlier this year the initiative was taken to move to issuing future newsletters only in an electronic format and we currently have 153 email addresses comprising scheme trustees, accountants, actuaries, solicitors, banks, life offices and other providers of investment and administration services, other consultants, government departments and agencies and the financial press.
Three newsletters were issued during the past year:
- Newsletter 56, July 2003
It contained an update of industry statistics and comment on matters relating to defined benefit superannuation schemes.
- Newsletter 57, November 2003
It contained advice that the Government Actuary's Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2003 was available on the website and commentary on the Office's view of the lodgement requirements for Employer Participating Agreements.
- Newsletter 58, May 2004
Provided information and comment on amendments made by the Superannuation Schemes Amendment Act 2004 and the Securities Amendment Act 2004 and which came into force on 15 April 2004.
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