Canstar New Zealand

Office address: Level 11/55 Shortland Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
Website: www.canstar.co.nz
Year established: 1992
Company type: financial services
Employees: 80+
Expertise: home loan comparison tool, home loan calculators, first home buyers, personal loans, bank accounts, insurance, investing, business products, rating system
Parent company: Canstar Group
Key people: Jose George (GM), Anne-Marie Lewis (national client manager), Bruce Pitchers (editor), Irene Chapple (PR manager), Tom Slee (group manager), Mark Gracey (MD and group CEO), Chris Mitchell, CA (CFO), Paul Duggan (Canstar Gold CEO)
Financing status: N/A

Canstar is a trusted financial platform and one of New Zealand's largest comparison sites, headquartered in Auckland. Their team of over 80 experts collects, analyses, and researches loans, cards, policies, and products, with a focus on consumer education. Specialising in banking, insurance, investing, and business products, the company rates and reviews more than 240 home loans from over 11 lenders.

History of Canstar

Canstar was founded in 1992 and has formed strong ties within New Zealand’s banking sector and gained a reputation for reliable third-party analysis. They offer insights to over 250 institutions, including banks and credit unions. Initially named Cannex, the company has over 25 years of experience aiding consumers in making smart financial choices.

Their ratings have covered a wide array of financial products, focusing on overall value and not price. In 2011, the company introduced Canstar Blue, a division dedicated to customer satisfaction research and ratings. Today, the company remains committed to providing thorough, value-based ratings and insights for both consumers and financial institutions.

Products and Services of Canstar

The company offers a wide range of financial products and services tailored to meet consumer needs:

• home loan comparison tool: compares home loan products from various lenders to help consumers find the best options
• home loan calculators: provides tools for calculating repayments and assessing loan affordability
• first home buyers home loans: specialised loan options designed for first-time home buyers
• personal loans: offers comparisons and insights on different personal loan options
• bank accounts: reviews and rates various types of bank accounts
• insurance: provides comprehensive analysis and comparison of insurance products
• investing: offers information and comparison of various investment products
• business products: rates and reviews financial products designed for businesses
• Star Ratings: a system that evaluates financial products based on overall value to help consumers make informed decisions

Culture at Canstar

The company cultivates a supportive workplace that values the health and wellbeing of its employees, offering a variety of benefits. The company’s culture is described as agile, fast-paced, high-performing, high-performing, and focused on results, while also respecting employees' personal commitments. They provide numerous programs and policies to ensure a balanced work-life environment, with benefits including:

• health and wellbeing: provides annual flu vaccinations, access to employee assistance programs, various wellness classes, and educational sessions on sleep, nutrition, and mindfulness
• flexibility: offers flexible working hours, options for remote and hybrid work, and a supportive environment to achieve challenging objectives
• leave: includes parental leave, leave for birthdays, compassionate leave, and other types of personal leave

The company prioritises consumer education, aiming to make their site user-friendly and informative. Their research and experts are often featured in the media, showcasing their industry authority. It commits to providing valuable insights and transparent methodologies, setting them apart from other comparison sites, with company promises including:

• value comparison: focuses on comparing products based on value, not just price
• wide product range: displays a broad array of products, including major brands
• expert staff: employs financial experts to ensure accurate information
• transparency: clearly publishes methodologies and data used in ratings
• established reputation: over 20 years of experience in the financial sector

The company promotes sustainability by helping customers make informed financial decisions and aiding institutions in product development. The Canstar brand, valued by businesses in Australia and New Zealand, drives substantial success. They offer a guide for partners to understand and maximise the brand’s values.

About Canstar General Manager Jose George and Key People

Jose George served as the company’s general manager for the New Zealand region for nearly nine years and is also a financial adviser at Tella. Before this role, he was a principal consultant at Expense Reduction Analysts, a national manager at ASB Bank, and a senior manager at Westpac, among others. George graduated from the University of Calcutta and earned certificates from Strategi Institute.

Key people assisting the GM in operating the company include:

• Anne-Marie Lewis, as a national client manager, oversees client relationships and ensures customer satisfaction
• Bruce Pitchers, serving as content and editor manager, leads the content team and manages editorial strategies
• Irene Chapple, as a PR Manager, handles public relations and media communications
• Tom Slee, as Canstar group manager - wealth, health, and New Zealand, oversees the company's wealth and health product lines and operations in New Zealand
• Mark Gracey, as a managing director and group CEO, directs the company's overall strategy and operations
• Chris Mitchell, CA, serves as CFO, manages the financial operations and strategies of the company
• Paul Duggan, serving as a Canstar Gold CEO, has responsibility for the operations of Canstar NZ

The Future at Canstar

Canstar's third nationwide Consumer Pulse survey, released in March 2024, reveals Kiwis' financial hopes, dreams, and worries. The survey highlights how New Zealanders cope with financial pressures and adapt their budgeting strategies. Insights from this survey help the company understand and respond to changing economic conditions.

In April 2024, the company announced BNZ as the winner of its Bank of the Year, Home Loans Award. This award evaluates residential and investor home loans based on factors like net cost, ease of application, and customer satisfaction. BNZ's comprehensive product offerings and services helped them secure this accolade, reinforcing the company's commitment to recognising excellence in the financial sector.