HDI Global has appointed Scott Aspinall as property underwriting manager for New Zealand, adding dedicated local leadership to a portfolio the insurer is looking to grow as competition intensifies across commercial property.

Based in Auckland, Aspinall will be responsible for expanding HDI’s New Zealand property book and working with colleagues across the business to develop its property offering and broader specialty presence.

The appointment comes during a softer phase for commercial insurance across the region. Pacific property insurance rates fell 15% in the second quarter of 2026, marking a ninth consecutive quarterly decline, with insurers competing through lower rates, increased limits and improved coverage, according to recent market data.

New Zealand data also points to pressure on the commercial property market. Gross written premium for commercial material damage and business interruption cover fell 10.7% to NZ$1.43 billion in 2025, from NZ$1.60 billion a year earlier, while the loss ratio increased to 63.3% from 57.9%, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand.

Against that backdrop, adding experienced underwriting capability gives HDI greater scope to pursue growth while assessing where it wants to deploy capacity as pricing becomes more competitive.
Aspinall brings almost 16 years with HDI’s UK branch and has worked in property underwriting across several jurisdictions. He will now lead the insurer’s New Zealand property proposition after returning to the country following around two decades in the UK.

His appointment is the latest step in HDI’s expansion in New Zealand. The insurer aligned its Australian and New Zealand operations under Stefan Feldmann in 2024, bringing its commercial and specialty businesses under a more integrated regional structure.

HDI has since continued to build its Auckland operation, including the appointment of Richard Upton as New Zealand branch manager and head of financial lines earlier this year.

“We are delighted to welcome Scott to the HDI New Zealand team. His extensive Property underwriting experience, strong technical capabilities, and proven relationship management skills will be invaluable as we continue to grow our Property portfolio and strengthen our Specialty presence in the New Zealand market,” Upton said.