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Responsible investing

See how we’re investing responsibly for the long run. 

About responsible investing

We’re strong advocates of responsible investing. Responsible investing means when we’re considering whether to invest in a company, we don’t just look at their financial performance. We also look at their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, because we believe these factors have a big impact on long-term returns.

ANZ Investments named a Responsible Investment Leader 2023

By placing in the top 20% of responsible investors, as assessed by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), we have been named a Responsible Investment Leader 2023.

This recognises our commitment to responsible investing. It acknowledges our consideration of environmental, social and governance factors in our investing, our strong and collaborative stewardship, and our transparency in reporting, including societal and environmental achievements.

RIAA 2023 Benchmark Report

How we invest responsibly

We look at the big picture

There’s more to choosing quality investments than just financial criteria. So as well as returns, we take ESG factors (for example the impact on climate change and worker’s rights) into account. 

We think that’s in everyone’s best interests – and the evidence backs that up. Studies show responsible investments can outperform ‘traditional’ investments.

See more about these studies

We're serious about responsible investing

We apply the same responsible investment approach to all our ANZ-managed KiwiSaver schemes and investment funds. 

That means whatever ANZ-managed fund you invest in, you can be sure we’re taking responsible investing seriously.

We're hands-on

We’re active managers and we control what we invest in. That means there are some things we won’t invest in. It also means we can act quickly to exit investments that don’t meet our responsible investment criteria.

But we don’t stop there. We use our influence to engage with the companies we invest in, and encourage them to incorporate responsible investing principles into their decision-making.

We walk the talk

As part of the wider ANZ Group we’re also committed to managing our impact on the environment and building stronger communities through things like improving financial knowledge, supporting community organisations throughout New Zealand, and reducing our own carbon footprint.

Responsible Investment Framework

Our Responsible Investment Framework sets out our investment approach and the key principles that guide our investment decisions. 

Responsible Investment Framework (PDF 606.1KB)

What we don't invest in

We won’t invest in companies involved in the following harmful activities

Controversial weapons

Companies that manufacture (including components of support systems) controversial weapons including cluster munitions, anti-personnel mines, biological/chemical weapons or nuclear weapons.

Civilian firearms

Companies that manufacture automatic or semi-automatic firearms, magazines and parts for civilian use.

Tobacco

Manufacturers of tobacco products.

Whaling

Companies involved in whaling and whale meat processing.

We also won’t invest in companies that earn material revenues from the following activities*

Conventional weapons

Companies that generate more than 5% of their revenue from conventional weapons-related activities.

Unconventional oil and gas

Companies that generate more than 10% of their revenue from the extraction of unconventional oil and gas. This includes revenues from oil sands, oil shale (kerogen-rich deposits), shale gas, shale oil, coal seam gas, and coal bed methane.

Thermal coal

Companies that generate more than 10% of their revenue from thermal coal mining.

Adult entertainment

Companies that generate more than 5% of their revenue from adult entertainment.

*We apply the revenue thresholds noted above to some of our exclusions because some of the companies derive small, non-material revenue from these activities – for example Amazon.com, which generates less than 1% of their revenue from adult entertainment.

We also don’t invest in companies that have severely breached global standards – for example through severe abuses of human rights or the environment.

We maintain and regularly review a register of excluded companies that we don’t invest in.

Environmental, social and governance factors

When we’re deciding whether to invest in a company, we don’t just look at their financial performance, because that is just one piece of the overall picture. We also look at how well they integrate ESG considerations into their business, because ESG factors have a significant impact on a business’s long-term success. 

Environmental

What is their impact on the environment?

This includes factors such as climate change, pollution, hazardous waste, energy or resource usage, green technologies or water management.

Social

What is their impact on communities and stakeholders?

This includes factors such as human rights, health and safety, diversity, social or charitable programs, and how they work with supply chain partners and other stakeholders.

Governance

How do they run their business?

This includes factors such as, transparency, conflicts of interest, bribery and corruption, executive compensation or shareholder voting procedures.

Active ownership through engagement and voting

Two ways that we demonstrate active ownership of the companies we invest in are through engagement, and proxy voting.

View our recent Stewardship update (PDF 2.3MB)

Engagement

We actively engage with various companies we invest in on key issues to ensure they are aligned with our Responsible Investment Framework – see some examples below:

As an investor in a global resources company through our Australian Equity manager, we were concerned about the environmental impact of a dam collapse in one of their projects in Brazil. They visited the site to ensure there were controls in place to prevent a similar event happening again, and continue to monitor their activities in Brazil.

Following allegations of bullying and harassment by the CEO of an industrial company we invest in, our investment team met with the Board Chair to discuss the allegations. Following our discussions, the CEO stepped down with the support of the Board, and the Board Chair stepped in as interim CEO. We were satisfied with the transition process to a new CEO and continue to engage with the Board on ESG matters.

Proxy voting

As the fund manager, we vote on behalf of our investors on particular issues relating to the companies we invest in.  It’s one way to ‘have our say’ on the future direction of the company. This can be on matters such as electing directors to the Board, executive pay and company disclosures.

ANZ Investments’ portfolio managers, as well as external fund managers, vote on thousands of different matters each year across the companies our funds invest in, on behalf of our investors. This is known as proxy voting.

Our memberships and certifications

The RIAA Responsible Investment Certification Program is the leading initiative for distinguishing quality responsible, ethical and impact investment products and services in New Zealand and Australia.

We’re proud to say the following funds are certified by RIAA— according to the strict operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program:

ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme

  • Conservative Fund
  • Conservative Balanced Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Balanced Growth Fund
  • Growth Fund.

ANZ Investment Funds

  • Conservative Fund
  • Conservative Balanced Fund
  • Balanced Fund
  • Balanced Growth Fund
  • Growth Fund.

United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment

We are signatories to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is a UN-supported global network of investors that works to promote responsible investment through the incorporation of ESG factors into investment decisions. 

Read our PRI public transparency report (PDF 1.4MB)

PRI website

Responsible Investment Association Australasia

We are a member of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), an organisation that champions responsible investing and a sustainable financial system in New Zealand and Australia.

RIAA website

Stewardship Code Aotearoa New Zealand

We are a Founding Signatory of the inaugural Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code. This industry-led Code aims to create and preserve inter-generational value for investors, as well as efficiently direct capital where it is most needed for a resilient economy.

Stewardship Code website

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0800 736 034

From overseas: +64 9 356 4000

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Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5pm

0800 269 238

If you wish to speak to an external financial adviser, call 0800 736 034 and we’ll put you in touch with one.

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Important information

ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited (‘ANZ Investments’) is the issuer and manager of the ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme, ANZ Investment Funds and ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme. Download a copy of the ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme and ANZ Investment Funds guide and product disclosure statement or ask at any ANZ branch. Further information is also available about the ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme by searching ‘ANZ Default KiwiSaver Scheme’ on the offer register at disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz.