Mindful Money Awards celebrates the funds that lead the way in investing in positive social environmental benefits and in climate action. This is a rapidly growing and hugely important part of the investment world, and crucial for our future. 

This seminar profiles two of this year's winners.  

Bill Murphy is the founder and CEO of Purpose Capital, who took home the Best Impact Investment Fund for 2023. 

The judges were impressed by the clear focus for the Purpose Capital Impact fund, and the sound framework for impact measurement. This includes the important step in including validation from local communities and intended beneficiaries. They welcome the contributions to the success of ventures through advice and support that extends beyond financial investment.

Rohan MacMahon is a partner at Climate Venture Capital Fund, who took home the Best Net Zero and Climate Action Investor for 2023. 

The judges were impressed at the thoroughness that Climate Venture Capital fund used to select investments and measure impact, including the specific objectives for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The fund’s contributes significantly to the success of their climate investments and is working to build a stronger climate solutions sector in New Zealand.

Almost all KiwiSaver and investment fund providers claim to be ethical or responsible or sustainable or ‘ESG’. 

This seminar will unpack what these terms mean and how you can find out the real impact of your investment. It will cover the different approaches to ethical investment and whether, as is often claimed, they are good for financial returns as well as for the people and the planet. 

Amidst all of the claims and the greenwash, the seminar will help to identify the ethical funds with real credibility.

In the face of financial market turbulence, consumer demand for ethical investing not only remains resilient but continues to gain momentum. Consumers not only want to avoid investing in companies that cause harm, they are increasingly also looking to invest in KiwiSaver and investment funds that do good. 

This seminar explored our recently launched report:"Voices of Aotearoa: Demand for Ethical Investment in New Zealand 2023".

This session shined a light on the significant shift towards impact investing in New Zealand, the ongoing concerns about greenwashing, and an in-depth understanding of the consumer's perspective.

Our panel featured: 

• Jules Riley - As the Senior Growth Manager for Investment Funds at Medical Assurance Society (MAS),
• Rebecca Styles - An Investigative Writer at Consumer NZ

Despite decades of promises and commitments, the destruction of global forests and other natural systems continues. Damaging impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and violations of the rights of indigenous and forest-dwelling peoples.

In this seminar, we delve into the driving forces behind deforestation and explore the role of both global and New Zealand investments in perpetuating this damage, releasing new data on how much our Investments in KiwiSaver and Investment funds are linked to deforestation.   

We also discuss the potential risks faced by investors and underscore their responsibilities in fostering a sustainable future. 

The panel comprised of: 

• Emma Thomson: Forest 500 Lead at Global Canopy
• Alana Lampitt: Partner at Chapman Tripp - Environment and Resource Management 
• Shannen Barns: Research Analysis at Mindful Money 

Forests play a major role in our economy, society and ecology. 

This seminar looks at the urgent questions facing forest management including the increase in exotic plantations driven by the Emissions Trading Scheme, the damage from slash and loss of soil during flooding, and the growing interest in native forest regeneration. 

The panel comprised of: 

• Manu Caddie, entrepreneur and community activist in Tairāwhiti
• Meg Graeme, ecologist and co-Director at Natural Solutions
• Dr. Christina Hood, a policy expert on climate change and carbon pricing.

Explore the evolving landscape of positive impact within KiwiSaver and Managed funds, where financial returns are integrated with social and environmental progress.

 Recently, new funds have been introduced, enabling the public to invest in companies promoting positive change in areas such as social housing, renewable energy, and clean technology.

Our expert panellists included: 

• Melissa Yiannoutsos:  Fund Manager at Booster NZ

• Simon Pannett: Senior Analyst at Harbour Asset Management

Recent surveys have shown that more than half of Kiwi investors are concerned about misleading claims, exaggeration and greenwash when it comes to investing. 

With no common standards or measures used by investment providers, it can be difficult to know what to believe.

In this seminar, we address these concerns and provide insights on how you can find funds that meet your specific needs and aspirations. We discuss the importance of due diligence and how to identify funds that align with your personal values and investment goals.

There are a growing number of New Zealand companies that have a business purpose beyond profit maximisation. Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder interests are part of business practices, along with mission statements to make companies a force for good. 

However, these concepts are far less common in the New Zealand financial sector. Consideration of social and environmental issues are now mainstream for investment providers, but largely as a means to manage financial risk rather than as an opportunity to make a positive difference. 

This seminar will examine the reasons and constraints, such as the limitations imposed by fiduciary duty, with examples of financial enterprises that have built their values into their business purpose. 

Mindful Money’s CEO, Barry Coates  moderated a panel discussion with:

• Qiulae Wong, Aotearoa NZ manager for B-Lab AANZ 
• Nick Stewart, CEO of Stewart Group, a financial advisory firm with B-Corps certification
• Jules Riley, Senior Growth Manager for Investment Funds at Medical Assurance Society (MAS)

A huge thanks to our sponsors:

Gold Sponsors: Alphinity, Medical Assurance Society, Mercer, NZGIF
Silver Sponsors: Chapman Trip, Booster, Harbour, Trustees Executors 

A core issue for investors is the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The financial risks of this transition were outlined by the research think tank, CarbonAction Tracker in 2011 in their report ‘Unburnable Carbon’.

Their projections were hugely influential, including introducing the term ‘stranded assets’ to describe the infrastructure that becomes worthless as the fossil fuel sector declines, and highlighting the associated financial risks.

Mark Campanale, the founder and CEO of Carbon Tracker Initiative has contributed a video to provide an update on their latest research. The findings will be discussed by our investment panel including David Lewis, founder of Novus Consulting and Jessica Cairns Head of ESG and Sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management.

A huge thanks to our sponsors:

Gold Sponsors: Alphinity, Medical Assurance Society, Mercer, NZGIF
Silver Sponsors: Chapman Trip, Booster, Harbour, Trustees Executors 

Climate change is having a devastating impact on New Zealand and the world, causing costly damage and causing suffering to communities.  As the situation worsens, it's becoming increasingly important to invest in infrastructure that can withstand the extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. This is not only important for the government, but also for investors who want to ensure the long-term sustainability of their investments and contribute to greater resilience.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on how we can mobilise investment to fund climate-resilient infrastructure. We will be joined by Dr. David Hall, who will share insights from his new report on investment in climate resilience. 

He will also be joined by Professor James Renwick, a leading New Zealand and IPCC climate researcher, who will outline the severe climate risks facing New Zealand households, infrastructure and businesses. 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about this critical issue and explore ways investors can take action.