Responsible investing

Managing your wealth with a focus on long-term sustainable investments.

Working together to invest responsibly

BNZ Investment Services Limited (BNZISL)^ manages the investment products available through BNZ, including:

  • the BNZ KiwiSaver Scheme
  • YouWealth
  • Private Wealth Series. 

BNZ works with BNZISL to make sure these products help customers to achieve their investment goals. BNZISL integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions with the goal of driving sustainable, long-term returns.

What BNZISL is responsible for

BNZISL decides how to invest the assets of the investment products available through BNZ. It does this by appointing underlying investment managers that select the investments for each asset class. Asset classes are different types of investments, for example shares, bonds, and cash.

When BNZISL appoints or reviews its investment managers, it considers how they incorporate ESG factors into their investment process.

How BNZISL invests

The BNZISL Responsible Investment Policy describes the guiding principles for how BNZISL invests responsibly. It covers: 

  • ESG factors in investment decision making
  • investment exclusions
  • climate change
  • other sustainability considerations.

BNZISL expects that the investment managers engage on ESG matters with companies they invest in. Supporting companies to manage ESG factors can create positive change and promote sustainable business outcomes.

BNZISL Responsible Investment Policy (82KB)

Excluding harmful activities

BNZISL doesn’t invest in companies involved in or profiting from certain harmful activities. This is a summary of what activities are excluded from investment. Full details are outlined in the BNZISL Responsible Investment Policy (PDF 82KB).

Fossil fuels

Companies are excluded if they:

  • mine, process, or market thermal coal as their primary business
  • are engaged in the exploration and production of oil and gas as their primary business
  • own proved or probable reserves in coal, oil, or gas and derive at least 15% of their revenue from exploration and extraction of coal, oil, or gas.

Gambling

Companies are excluded if they generate more than 10% of their revenue from:

  • owning or operating gambling establishments, including online gambling
  • manufacturing or importing specialised equipment used exclusively for gambling, or supporting gambling products and services.

Tobacco

Companies are excluded if they:

  • are involved in the manufacture of tobacco, tobacco products, or vaping products
  • generate more than 10% of their revenue from specialised tobacco or vaping products wholesaling and retailing.