NZI’s Manager, Partner Governance Risk and Performance, Sarah Latch, has built her career on a foundation of relationships, resilience and a drive to make a difference.
With a career spanning life insurance, governance, regulatory frameworks and community care, Sarah demonstrates remarkable adaptability and a deep commitment to supporting others. Outside of work, her family, community connections and love of travel have shaped her into the influential leader she is today.
A chance beginning
Sarah’s insurance journey began, “a bit by chance,” she recalls. “My first role was with Sovereign Insurance in the 1990s. I’d moved from West Auckland to the North Shore to escape the commute, and I thought, Wow, this admin job sounds sweet!”
What she didn’t anticipate was falling in love with the industry. “It was meant to be a low-key gig, but I found myself loving both the people and the dynamic work on offer.”
After two years with Sovereign, Sarah took a seven-year break from paid work to channel her energy into raising her children, Kenzie and Ben, with her husband Roger, a career advisor at Rosmini College.
“For me, the career break was challenging because I’m the sort of person who can’t sit still,” she shares. “For six of those years, I became involved in the community through Playcentre, even serving as Secretary to the North Shore Playcentre Association. It kept me connected and engaged.”
The comeback queen
When she re-entered the workforce in the early 2000s, fate stepped in. “A former colleague reached out about a Zurich Insurance role, and the timing was perfect,” she recalls. Over the next decade, she advanced from PA to Office Manager to Operations Manager, eventually transitioning into the regulatory space and paving the way for her NZI journey, which began in April 2022.
“In my role at NZI, I’m focused on building a solid governance framework to keep our partnerships on track, promoting a strong risk-aware culture, and making sure that we’re delivering the best partner outcomes,” she explains.
Drawing on her extensive experience, Sarah advocates for collaboration. "I'm not here to reinvent the wheel,” she says. “Instead, I’m utilising the skills and knowledge I’ve developed over the years and working with our talented team to apply them in fresh, innovative and impactful ways.”
To support her team, Sarah fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. “I work to ensure that we celebrate everyone’s successes, and on the flipside, I also ensure we’re supporting people during challenging times as well. It’s about forming connections on a human level and creating a team with a family feel.”
Giving for good
Sarah’s passion for community has evolved into many areas. During her time at Zurich, she drove initiatives through the Z Zurich Foundation, helping raise and distribute over $2 million to charitable organisations.
“We supported causes like the Sir John Kirwan Foundation and their Mighty (a mental health education programme) and Variety, which felt so rewarding,” she shares.
At NZI, Sarah has continued her community-led approach through the First Foundation scholarship programme, which NZI has proudly supported since 2008.
The programme plays a vital role in empowering New Zealand students to positively impact their communities by providing financial assistance, mentorship and paid work experience, helping them build networks and transition from school into meaningful careers.
“Our scholarship students bring such fresh energy into the industry,” she says. “I’m passionate about encouraging young people to consider an insurance career as it’s such a rewarding people-driven field.”
From soirees to swimming, away from work, Sarah has a keen sense of adventure. Later this year, she and Roger are planning an epic celebration for her 50th birthday.
The itinerary includes exploring Cornwall and Greece, with a week-long e-bike tour in Slovenia and a dining experience at Rick Stein’s iconic Padstow restaurant. “Travel feeds our souls, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate milestones and create lasting memories.”
Speaking of feeding souls, Sarah’s known for hosting elaborate dinner parties. “For a friend’s recent birthday, I created a four-course menu with tasting notes, wine pairings and personalised name cards. It’s my way of celebrating the people I love.”
Alongside her love of travel and top-notch dinner parties, Sarah has also participated in two events for the Half Ironman in Taupō, swimming 1.9 kilometres each time. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not breaking speed records out there, but I make sure I get it done!” she laughs.
Family at the core
For Sarah, family is everything. Growing up with three siblings, she valued the love, guidance and support of her parents - an influence that profoundly shaped her outlook.
She’s carried these lessons into her own family, where raising her children stands as her proudest achievement. Reflecting on parenthood, Sarah shares, “Balancing work and raising children is a challenge for many new parents, but it’s an incredibly satisfying one.”
Whether advocating for new insurance talent, creating governance frameworks, or hosting the ideal dinner party, Sarah brings humour, warmth and dedication to everything she does.
As she prepares for her birthday adventure, she leaves us with this message: “Life is all about relationships. At work or at home, it’s the people who make the journey worthwhile.”
