How do you solve a problem for Maria?

Each year, MAS encourages graduating students to take part in a financial review with a MAS adviser, where they set out their financial goals and plan how to achieve them.

Everyone who took part in 2021 had a chance of winning $3,000. This year's winner was Maria Nonis, a first year house officer working at Christchurch Hospital.

As a first year house officer at Christchurch Hospital, Maria Nonis' life is incredibly busy, and when her windscreen recently chipped, she appreciated the speed and ease of dealing with MAS.

The 26-year-old said, "last week I went for a drive on my day off and realised when I got home that I'd got a chip in my windscreen. I called MAS and it was all sorted in a couple of minutes, no hassle.

"I don't have heaps of free time at the moment, and it makes a world of difference not to be stuck on hold for ages."

Maria has income security insurance and total and permanent disablement insurance with MAS, as well as motor vehicle insurance. 

"I've actually encouraged my parents to switch over to MAS too - they moved over their car, home and contents insurance. I've even convinced my little sister to join up," she says.

Stepping up to the challenge

Maria's lifelong love of science and passion for working with people drew her towards medicine. After studying at University of Otago, she returned home to Christchurch to complete her clinical years and start her first year of working as a house officer at Christchurch Hospital. 

"Going from my clinical years in Christchurch to now working in the hospital was a big step up. But the teams are so supportive - it's a great learning environment," says Maria.

The challenge of adjusting to long days and shift work is balanced by the reward of getting to know patients and being part of their progress.

"You see patients deal with some of the tougher things, but also see them working hard on their rehab with the multi-disciplinary team, which is rewarding."

Navigating the nitty gritty

Maria first encountered MAS through student events, and became a Member when she moved her motor vehicle insurance over. When she finished her degree, she took advantage of the free consultation MAS offers to all final year students to discuss their financial goals. 

"I met up with my adviser Justin, and he explained the types of insurance I should be looking at now, as well as some of the things that I didn't need. Like I don't need life insurance at the moment, but it's good to understand when I should get it down the track."

Maria's MAS adviser Justin Bentley says he loves providing guidance to students like Maria, as they transition from studying to joining the workforce.

"For me, grad reviews are about education, explaining to grads the types of cover available to them and also how KiwiSaver and retirement savings investments work. Too often people don't realise that their biggest asset is their ability to earn, and knowing that they can insure this with income protection insurance is really valuable to grads."

Maria says, "It's great to have someone like Justin explain the nitty gritty stuff that I'd have to listen to hours of podcasts to figure out for myself. I'll definitely utilise that resource again."

Maria was randomly drawn as the winner of $3,000 following her review, which she's putting toward saving for her first home.