About Us

Created by unions - for Members, not profit.

As a union owned co-operative, we continue to have benevolence and strong union values entrenched in our DNA, it is who we are. So have a look at our story to find out when and why we started, our vision, mission and core values.

On this page, you also can read more about our union owners, who our Board members are, more information about our Annual Reports and our partners who provide our member services.

Our Values

Our Vision

To support the financial, physical and mental wellbeing of Union Members

 

Our Mission

HealthCarePlus is committed to working with Member Unions to improve the Physical, Mental and Financial Health and Wellbeing of their Members and Whanau.

E ū ana a HealthCarePlus kia mahitahi ai me ōna Mema Uniana kia piki ake te Oranga Tinana, te Oranga Wairua/Hinengaro me te Oranga Ahumoni, ā, me te Oranga Katoa o ō rātou Mema me ō rātou Whānau.
 
HealthCarePlus – It’s Good to Belong

HealthCarePlus - He Mea Pai kia Honotahi


Our Values

HealthCarePlus’s culture and conduct are aligned with Union values including, Integrity, Fairness, Transparency, Solidarity, Equity, and Protecting the Environment.

Ko te kaupapa me te wairua o HealthCarePlus e haere tapatahi ana me ngā uara o te uniana arā, te Ngākau Piripono, te Matatika, te Tuwhera, te Piritahi, te Taurite, me te Tiaki i te Taiao.
 

its-good-to-stay-true image

It's good to stay true

Integrity is central to everything we do. We give every member the information they need to make informed decisions that are right for them - and we stand behind the spirit, not just the letter, of any promise of support that we make. And we never forget that it’s our members we are working for - not ourselves.

its-good-to-act-fairly image

It's good to act fairly

Our actions serve all members… not a favoured few. As a Benevolent Society, our first principle is to look for ways we can do more for members in need - not less. A commitment to fair dealings and fair outcomes defines the actions we take… the services we provide… and the partners we choose.

its-good-to-be-clear image

It's good to be clear

We are open and transparent in our language - and our processes. We don’t mislead, sugar-coat or exaggerate. Our goal is always for our members to understand the value - and the limits - of every support or service that we offer.

its-good-to-stand-together image

It's good to stand together

Being stronger as a collective, is our reason to exist. Created by unions, we use the collective strength of our members, to secure better outcomes for us all - in our insurance, and in the added services we provide. We give choice to individuals - but the same choices, to all.

its-good-to-respect-all image

It's good to respect all

With a collective focus, we champion the rights of all. Equity of access, of benefit and of voice, is a top priority both for our organisation and team, reflecting our diverse base of members. We recognise and lean into our role in celebrating and strenghening the religious, ethnic and gender diversity in NZ - and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

its-good-to-look-forward image

It's good to look forward

Our environment is our future - and we ensure our actions protect it. We actively look to minimise the impact of our actions on our natural world and ensure that we consider future generations, in the decisions we make today.

Our Owners

Our Owners

The very same unions that protect your rights at work created HealthCarePlus to protect your health in life.   

So, as part of your union membership, you and your families can benefit from affordable, supplementary healthcare that genuinely leaves you, your whānau, and your fellow workers better off.

  • ISEA

    — ISEA

    "Members of the Independent Schools Education Association (ISEA) appreciate the benefits of belonging to HealthCarePlus and the range of healthcare and insurance products and services offered through the scheme. ISEA are proud of our relationship with HealthCarePlus because it is owned by the education unions which means that Members benefit from the collective power of belonging to a union to get affordable supplementary healthcare. We were also pleased to hear that HealthCare Plus was the first accredited Living Wage Employer in the insurance sector."

    Matthew Fitzsimons
    General Secretary
    ISEA

    Learn more
  • NZEI

    — NZEI

    "NZEI Te Riu Roa is proud to be one of the founding union owners of HealthCarePlus.  It's a not-for-profit health insurer created by union members for union members to provide low cost insurance to cover you (and your whanau's) day-to-day medical costs.

    NZEI Members are the largest group of HealthCarePlus subscribers who recognise the real value for money products they can get, who like dealing with an organisation with a Member first, values driven approach and who know the benefits of working collectively to look after each other.

    So, if you're an NZEI Te Riu Roa Member and not yet a HealthCarePlus subscriber, why not take a closer look?"

    Andrew Casidy
    General Manager - Operations
    NZEI

    Learn more
  • PPTA

    — PPTA

    "PPTA are proud to be a member of HealthCarePlus and include their services as a premier package as part of our members benefits scheme.

    We positively promote HealthCarePlus at all of our conferences and events and look forward to  continuing our successful association with them."

    Doug Clark
    PPTA Members Benefit Coordinator

    Learn more
  • PSA

    — PSA

    "HealthCarePlus is different because it was established by workers, for workers and it continues to serve union members everywhere.  PSA is proud to have been associated with it for so many years.  Our  Members have benefited from affordable, supplementary healthcare for themselves and their families and we stand by the products on offer at HealthCarePlus, and the work of their great team."

    Benedict Ferguson
    PSA President

    Learn more
  • TEU

    — TEU

    "Members of the Tertiary Education Union appreciate greatly the benefits of belonging to HealthCarePlus. Not only is it exceptional value for money at a time when many costs are rising especially the cost of keeping whanau and family well and healthy, but the fact that HealthCare+ is owned by the education unions means that once again the collective power of belonging to a union benefits members. Great value and great service"

    Julie Douglas
    National President

    Learn more
  • TIASA

    — TIASA

    The Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association (TIASA Te Hononga) is the professional association and union for allied (non-teaching/general) staff across the New Zealand tertiary education sector. If you work in an allied staff role at any level then TIASA is for you!

    Learn more
  • ISEA

    — ISEA

    "Members of the Independent Schools Education Association (ISEA) appreciate the benefits of belonging to HealthCarePlus and the range of healthcare and insurance products and services offered through the scheme. ISEA are proud of our relationship with HealthCarePlus because it is owned by the education unions which means that Members benefit from the collective power of belonging to a union to get affordable supplementary healthcare. We were also pleased to hear that HealthCare Plus was the first accredited Living Wage Employer in the insurance sector."

    Matthew Fitzsimons
    General Secretary
    ISEA

    Learn more
  • NZEI

    — NZEI

    "NZEI Te Riu Roa is proud to be one of the founding union owners of HealthCarePlus.  It's a not-for-profit health insurer created by union members for union members to provide low cost insurance to cover you (and your whanau's) day-to-day medical costs.

    NZEI Members are the largest group of HealthCarePlus subscribers who recognise the real value for money products they can get, who like dealing with an organisation with a Member first, values driven approach and who know the benefits of working collectively to look after each other.

    So, if you're an NZEI Te Riu Roa Member and not yet a HealthCarePlus subscriber, why not take a closer look?"

    Andrew Casidy
    General Manager - Operations
    NZEI

    Learn more
  • PPTA

    — PPTA

    "PPTA are proud to be a member of HealthCarePlus and include their services as a premier package as part of our members benefits scheme.

    We positively promote HealthCarePlus at all of our conferences and events and look forward to  continuing our successful association with them."

    Doug Clark
    PPTA Members Benefit Coordinator

    Learn more
  • PSA

    — PSA

    "HealthCarePlus is different because it was established by workers, for workers and it continues to serve union members everywhere.  PSA is proud to have been associated with it for so many years.  Our  Members have benefited from affordable, supplementary healthcare for themselves and their families and we stand by the products on offer at HealthCarePlus, and the work of their great team."

    Benedict Ferguson
    PSA President

    Learn more
  • TEU

    — TEU

    "Members of the Tertiary Education Union appreciate greatly the benefits of belonging to HealthCarePlus. Not only is it exceptional value for money at a time when many costs are rising especially the cost of keeping whanau and family well and healthy, but the fact that HealthCare+ is owned by the education unions means that once again the collective power of belonging to a union benefits members. Great value and great service"

    Julie Douglas
    National President

    Learn more
  • TIASA

    — TIASA

    The Tertiary Institutes Allied Staff Association (TIASA Te Hononga) is the professional association and union for allied (non-teaching/general) staff across the New Zealand tertiary education sector. If you work in an allied staff role at any level then TIASA is for you!

    Learn more
Our Board

Our Board

The Society is governed by a Board of six Directors appointed by the Member Union owners. The Board consists of four Member Board Members appointed to represent the four largest Member Unions and two Independent Board Members.

  • Chair / Board Member

    Darrell worked as a teacher and principal in various Southland schools from 1971 until 2002.  He became an EBS subscriber as a trainee teacher in 1968.  Darrell was an elected member of NZEI’s National Executive from 1990 until 2002.  This included the role of National President and director of Education House Ltd.  From 2002 until his retirement in 2012 he was employed by NZEI Te Riu Roa as Assistant Secretary at the National Office.  In 2015 he was awarded Life Membership of NZEI Te Riu Roa. 

    Darrell has been a member of the Board since 2011.  He brings to the board significant education union knowledge, leadership experience and a broad union network.

  • Deputy Chair / Board Member

    Samantha Stephen oversees the support operations of the Tertiary Education Union Te Hautu Kahurangi o Aotearoa, managing a team essential to the smooth running of the organisation.

    After graduating with a Bachelor of Social Sciences from the University of Waikato, Samantha spent several years working in a community-based role for a non-profit organisation that offered preventative and rehabilitative support to offenders and their whanāu.

    Samantha went on to work in events management where for nine years she was part of a team responsible for organising an annual event attended by over 45,000 New Zealanders.

    Samantha is an accomplished people manager and brings to the board a detail-oriented, problem-solving approach.

  • Member / Board Member

    Benedict has been a member of PSA since he commenced work in Local Government 20 years ago. He has held many elected roles with the PSA, including being elected to the PSA Executive Board in 2008 - 2012, and setting up the PSA Youth network in 2010.  In 2016 Benedict was again elected to the Executive Board and in 2020 was elected as President of the PSA.  

     

    "I am proud of the outcomes that Health Care Plus offers to union members and am keen to help drive this organization through good governance."

  • Member / Board Member

    Allan Vester recently retired as being Principal of Edgewater College a role that he held for 23 years.

    Allan continues to be a strong supporter of the PPTA and has been a member of EBS now HealthCarePlus since 2000.  Allan believes that HealthCarePlus provides the members of PPTA with a very valuable service.

    By being on the Board, Allan sees the opportunity to contribute to ensuring that the work that HealthCarePlus does, and the benefit that work confers on members is maximised.  The Board does this by ensuring effective corporate governance and by ensuring we operate in a professional yet cost effective way.

  • Independent Board Member

    Kristen Thompson is a lawyer with a background in employment, health and safety, and personal injury law, predominantly acting for unions and injured workers.  

    She has previously worked as a litigator and advisor to a number of not-for-profit incorporated societies and charities.

    She has also worked as a health and safety policy analyst for the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.  She sits on a number of other boards, including Worksafe Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa, the New Zealand Institute of Safety Manangement, and the Inspired Kindergarten Association. 

  • Independent Board Member

    I guide investors on their journey to meeting their objectives with specific reference to meeting obligations and managing risks. This involves ensuring that good governance structures and fit-for-purpose policies are in place.

    I have served a very diverse range of investors in the private, public and philanthropic sectors, including not-for-profit entities, Crown Financial Institutions, superannuation schemes and KiwiSaver providers.

    Partnering with you to achieve financial success is my passion!

Our Report

Annual report

In this section you can find the Education Benevolent Society Incorporated’s (trading as HealthCarePlus) Annual Reports including it’s Financial Statements and Governance.

annual-report
Our Partners

Our Partners

HealthCarePlus selects partners to help us deliver more comprehensive services to members, based on the following criteria:

They are values-driven - with a core mission and history of putting people, before profit.

They are genuinely trusted by New Zealanders - with a track record of being solid, reliable, transparent and doing the right thing.

They are innovative - looking for smart ways to add value and deliver more, for less.

They are affordable - with a focus on making their services accessible and affordable not only today but into the future, and their benefits achievable, for NZ’s education and public service workers and families.

They are prepared to add real value to HealthCarePlus members - by reducing cost or adding value on their products, to a greater degree than the commercial marketplace will usually provide.