Welcome to My Net Worth, our regular column on the lives and motivations of our country’s top business, legal and political people in their own words.

Nick Astwick took on the leadership role at the not-for-profit friendly society in 2017 after more than 10 years at Kiwibank, where he was chief operating officer, and before that group manager of personal markets and general manager of consumer finance. In addition to his CEO role, he also serves on the boards of a number of the Southern Cross subsidiaries, and is the former chair of Leadership New Zealand, which connects leaders working together for a more just, equitable and sustainable Aotearoa. In all, he has more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry in leadership and governance roles across retail and investment banking organisations. He has a bachelor of commerce degree in accounting and finance from the University of Canterbury, and he and wife Georgina are parents to school-age children Charlie and Katie.

I had a really good childhood. I’m proudly from provincial New Zealand and I guess that shaped me. I grew up on the sports fields of Christchurch – my brother and I played cricket, football, a lot of sport.

I really enjoyed school because I’m quite a social person. I was a good student, but I had to work hard for my As. They didn’t come naturally, as they do for some people. I put my head down and had achievement, but it was hard-earned.   

I had a dream that I was going to be a police detective. As it turns out, my brother is now a detective. I don't think I would have been a very good detective, ultimately. So I’m pleased he chose his career pathway and I chose mine.

My dad was a Yorkshire man and I really cherished him. He had this magical sense of humour and taught me not to take life too seriously. I think the humility that I've got and the authenticity I try to live by every day have come from him.

I studied Japanese for a long time at high school. I loved learning languages and about other cultures. I travelled a lot in Asia as a result of learning the language and I lived in Japan for four or five months. 

My first real 9-5 job was at the good old National Bank’s Ilam branch, which was the university branch. Basically, the switch flicked and I fell in love with serving others at that point.

Nick Astwick aged eight. 

 

I’m a corporate who is a social capitalist. I like working in businesses that have a cause, or something bigger than profits. I want to be purpose-orientated.

You get a short number of years on this Earth. For me, it's about being the best dad, husband, son and friend I can be. That’s the epicentre of how I judge success – the positive impact you can have on people’s lives. How many people will show up to my funeral is always in the back of my mind! 

In business, I think my greatest success is probably not following just a pay cheque, but following what I believe in. 

Playing sport taught me a lot about failure and getting off the deck and going again. I think the biggest failure I had in my career was more about my self-worth. So when failures came along, I thought it was me that was a failure. Learning I had an unhealthy attachment to work was probably my biggest lesson. Nowadays, I focus on not attaching myself to success or failure.

The best business advice I ever received was from Tā Tipene O’Regan. He said, “Look to the horizon, when others are watching the waves lapping at their feet.” I always have that front and centre. 

I don’t really lie awake at night worrying; I’ve learnt skills to prevent this from happening. There’s still some list writing, though: can I control it or not control it? It's a conscious process. I also have a cracking leadership team, so that helps me not to worry too much. I think being purposeful and intentional is the way I cope with stress.

I have three things for managing stress. First, sleep is paramount for me; it gives me clarity of thought that I otherwise wouldn't have. Second is a great bunch of friends, from all walks of life. I love having a wide social connection. And third, staying healthy – I always go for a walk with my wife, Georgina, and the dog, or play golf. 

Family is the most important thing to me, but I also value my reputation. New Zealand is a relationship-based country, and I think it’s about sleeping straight in bed each night. You’ve got to be true and honest to yourself. 

There was some media attention on my salary. I think that goes with the CEO position. I was quite happy for it to be out in the open; I'd much rather that we’re a brand that is open and honest. But I would say probably I had some anxiousness over that weekend.

I hope my friends would describe me as a bloody good bloke to be around, as really genuine and a good laugh. I would say I’m a real honest broker, very truthful, sincere and caring. 

I like architecture and developing things. I like designing; I find it quite relaxing. Things on the house or landscaping, those sorts of things, I really like to dabble with. Then I get somebody who’s highly capable to do it.

As told to Jacqui Loates-Haver.
This interview has been edited for clarity.