“The New Zealand Super Fund supported the development of the Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code because we believe an industry-led code will encourage shareholders to engage with companies on governance and sustainable development, to be considered with their voting and bring transparency to the practice of stewardship. Active ownership of assets by investors contributes to the healthy functioning of the domestic market, improves capital flows and will help to develop a more sustainable financial system.” 

- Anne-Maree O’Connor, Head of Sustainable Investment, NZ Super Fund

“It’s about getting our investments right for all stakeholders, be it from a risk perspective, a pure ESG angle or due to our fiduciary responsibility to our investors. We are continuously seeking to understand our investee companies’ positions and sustainability goals by engaging in active conversation with them to improve ESG outcomes.” 

- Mei Zi Ho, Research Analyst, Nikko Asset Management

“Our participation in the Stewardship Code signifies our commitment to the Code’s nine principles to achieve its three interconnected goals of effective stewardship. Good stewardship facilitates a healthy listed market, good corporate behaviour and ultimately better outcomes for New Zealand. As signatories, we are able to work with New Zealand institutions to grow and mature stewardship in New Zealand for the benefit of all stakeholders.”

- Frances Sweetman, Head of Sustainable Investment, Milford Asset Management

“Harbour became a signatory to the Stewardship Code because stewardship has always been a core part of our responsible investing approach given our belief that it can be a powerful lever for creating positive, real-world changes that benefit a wide set of stakeholders across current and future generations. In practice, the code provides a useful framework to guide what good looks like in stewardship and helps hold signatories accountable to promote integrity and mitigate greenwashing.”

- Jorge Waayman, Manager ESG Research, Harbour Asset Management

“Devon Funds is a signatory to the Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code as a demonstration of our commitment to stewardship within the markets we operate in. Our stewardship practices include voting, monitoring, and engaging with companies on matters including strategy, performance, corporate governance, decarbonisation, and social outcomes. It is our fiduciary duty to encourage companies to produce better outcomes for their investors and communities.”

- Slade Robertson, Managing Director, Devon Funds Management

“Stewardship requires a shift to longer-term thinking on capital management decisions, to ensure a just transition to a more sustainable planet and societies. As the focus in New Zealand shifts away from exclusions and towards thoughtful engagement with corporates and policy makers on ESG issues, there is a need for a regime to guide best practice stewardship and reporting. Mint Asset Management recognises the importance of such a framework, as well as the shift to active stewardship, and is proud to be a signatory to the inaugural Code.”

- Rachel Tinkler, Head of Responsible Investment, Mint Asset Management

“We are committed to promoting acceptance of responsible investment considerations within the industry and this naturally supported us signing as a Founding Signatory to the Code, which supports best practice for stewardship. Investment stewardship is a key part of our responsible investment approach and being a signatory means we are committed to adopting and embedding the Code.”

- Emma Lavelua, Product Manager Wealth, ASB

“We are proud to play a leadership role in the embedding of the Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code by the industry. Our commitment to the Code and effective stewardship aligns with our business’s values and the values of our charitable client base.”

- Rachael McDonald, CEO, Trust Management

“We firmly believe active monitoring of ESG factors improves our investment analysis and ultimately reduces the overall risk in our portfolios of private debt assets. By engaging with the companies to which we lend, we can influence their ESG strategies to drive stronger performance from their operations and deliver real outcomes for New Zealand.” 

- Andrew Lockhart, Managing Director, Metrics Credit Partners

“We believe stewardship helps promote higher standards of corporate governance, which supports long-term value creation and ultimately benefits investors.”

- Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, BTNZ