The insurance industry lost one of its iconic figures to cancer recently.

Timaru-based adviser Ross Collett finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer after he was first diagnosed in May 2025 and given, at best, two to three months to live.

In keeping with his character Collett took rather unusual approach to his condition. He believed in alternative medicines and was reportedly an anti-vaxxer.

His treatment included what he described as "a very simple protocol of ivermectin and fenbendazole, vitamin D with K2 and have used an 2 ATA hyperbaric chamber as often as possible."

He even installed a hyperbaric chamber for his own use in his office after using one at a hospital and finding it helped management of his cancer.

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Collett made the chamber available to others. "This brings joy to me and my only desire is that they have the same results as I have had," he said in a Facebook post.

"Thank you to those who have used the chamber and have been given hope where the health system hasn’t."

Collett built a highly successful insurance advice business and made many friends across the industry, and had a passion for MDRT.

Gary Binnie became Collett's Fidelity Life business development manager 16 years ago and became a good friend.

He describes Collett as "a beautiful soul."

"He could make a conversation with anyone." Invariably this conversations led to an appointment to discuss insurance advice.

Collett was a proud MDRT member and bought a Māori Korowai cloak which was worn at the opening ceremony of MDRT meetings when delegates from all countries took the stage.

After he was diagnosed with cancer Fidelity Life created an MDRT scholarship with Collett's name on it.

The cloak is now with Fidelity Life and is on display in its reception area.

MDRT former New Zealand chair Travis Hamilton says: "I first met Ross back in 2011. What I've always remembered is that even though I had just joined the industry, he treated me like an equal from day one. He was extremely relatable, which is probably what made him such a great adviser."

"Ross represented New Zealand as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony at MDRT, which was a huge honour. It's not a surprise that a MDRT grant is made in his name. I always remember his huge, infectious grin and his willingness to help other advisers and share ideas. He was one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure to meet."

"The best are often taken too soon. This is definitely the case with Ross. We'll always remember the way Ross made us feel more than anything. A donation from MDRT to the foundation will be made in his honour. We will continue to speak of Ross often and of his influence. He is a true legend who left a huge mark on our industry. Thoughts are with his beautiful family at this time."

Fellow MDRT member Mat Page says; "Ross was a long standing MDRT member, and great supporter of all the NZ MDRT membership was doing around the globe."

"Ross was a great guy and well respected in the industry and a big loss to not only his family and friends but the MDRT and advice community in New Zealand."

Likewise, Brian Burgess commented; "Ross was a great guy, he always had a warm and infectious grin that lit up the room.

"A great member who has been freely and generously sharing his knowledge and success with advisers for as long as I can remember."

Collett was also a keen flyer and had his own plane which he would often use to go to meetings and appointments. 

While flying was a passion, Collett, was a traffic cop before becoming and adviser, had a reputation of driving from Timaru to Christchurch in times would no doubt would attract the attention of his former peers. 

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Ross's plane (Source: Facebook)

Binnie says Collett was a big name in Timaru and expects his funeral on Thursday (October 1) to be a big event.

"Faith was a big part of his life," Binnie says.

Collett posted an update last year saying; "It has truly been a challenging seven months, but with the love of my wife Linda, my rock and our family along with our church family, many prayers and my faith in God we have come through this challenge."

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