development committee

The development of the inaugural Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code has been made possible only by the contributions and commitments of an industry-led Stewardship Committee and sponsors:

  • Anne-Maree O’Connor, New Zealand Super Fund

  • Bruce W Lee, Who’s Good, CFA Institute

  • David Kandziora, Russell Investments, CFA Board

  • Erica Miles, ESG consultant (Committee Chair)

  • Emma Dale, Chapman Tripp

  • Jorge Waayman, Harbour Asset Management

  • Katie Beith, Forsyth Barr

  • Matt Mimms, The Investment Store, RIAA Board

  • Nicola Swan, Chapman Tripp

  • Penny Sheerin, Chapman Tripp

  • Philip Houghton-Brown, BT Funds Management NZ / Westpac, CFA Board

  • Robert Sloan, Trustees Executors, FSC Sustainability Committee

  • Sebastian Gehricke, Otago University, INFINZ

  • Simon O’Connor, Responsible Investment Association of Australasia

  • Sue Walker, Bank of New Zealand, INFINZ

  • Susan Quinn, Responsible Investment Association of Australasia

“Development of our inaugural Stewardship Code is a significant milestone for the investment policy landscape in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Code provides a unique and invaluable framework for investors to elevate their stewardship activities beyond a short-term financial value lens to a lens focused on activities – and outcomes – that not only create and preserve long-term value for current and future generations, but also a lens focused on contributions towards sustainable outcomes for our planet, our people, and our economy.

“This wider, more holistic view of value, and the Code’s focus on both the long-term and sustainable outcomes has only been possible due to the constructive, dedicated, and enthusiastic involvement by not only the Code Development Committee, but also the wider industry. Having the Committee and industry involvement throughout the development phase perfectly positions the Code to succeed”.

- Erica Miles, Chair of the Code Development Committee and ESG consultant

“It has been a true team effort and very rewarding to be developing such cutting-edge policy that is giving back to the community and the funds management industry. Chapman Tripp is proud to support Toitū Tahua and the investment community with the launch of the Code – and is excited to have the opportunity to be able to bring our own legal expertise, as part of this combined effort, in setting clear standards of good industry practice for New Zealand’s future.”

- Penny Sheerin, Emma Dale, Nicola Swan from Chapman Tripp

Advice and guidance

The Stewardship Committee received a range of advice and guidance, including from: 

  • David Woods, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance

  • Halie Hartigan

  • Helen Skinner

  • Holly Marshall, Kiwi Wealth

  • Jo Kelly, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance

  • Karren Beanland, NZ Super Fund

  • Michael Webb, King’s Counsel

  • Tawa Campbell-Seymour, ASB Bank

  • United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) stewardship team.

Regulatory input was provided by Fiona Whyte and Paul Gregory of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).