Source: Mindful Money
Today Mindful Money launches an online tool that identifies investments providing high levels of positive outcomes.
There is now an opportunity to mobilise funding to address public concerns over climate change, biodiversity, affordable housing and health. A significant share of the $250 billion of savings in KiwiSaver and retail investment funds could be invested in much-needed solutions. We can all contribute to building a better future for ourselves and for New Zealand.
For years, growing your investments and helping build a better future have felt like two separate things. From today, they don’t have to be.
The new free online tool from Mindful Money shows New Zealanders exactly where their investments are creating positive change in the world; and names the entities making it happen.
It arrives at a moment when hope about the future is sorely needed. Just 17% of New Zealanders believe the next generation will be better off than they are today. Against that backdrop, a tool that hands people real, visible agency over where their money goes, and shows the good it’s already doing, matters more than ever.
Every positive outcome company identified by the tool can be invested in through a KiwiSaver or other retail fund – proof that doing good and strong financial performance aren’t a trade-off. Research increasingly backs this up, with sustainable investing linked to stronger long-term returns.
Kate Vennell, Mindful Money’s interim CEO points out: “We urgently need investment to address the challenges of our time. On issues like housing, we need to mobilise billions of dollars to provide secure, warm and affordable housing for all. We need billions to scale up production and use renewable energy. We also need to address large global inequalities on health outcomes and deploy advances in treatments. The good news is there are exciting developments and investment opportunities in all these themes. Our funds can provide more capital for innovation to accelerate progress on positive outcomes in NZ and the world. The first step is for Kiwis to find out where their money goes, and how more of their savings could be used to build the future we need.”
Mindful Money has long provided portfolio transparency for over 1000 New Zealand funds, helping investors see what’s really in their portfolio and how to steer clear of issues of concern, including human rights violations, weapons, animal cruelty and climate destruction.
But knowing what to avoid has never been the whole picture. Positive outcomes responds to the large majority of Kiwis who want their investments to create real-world benefits. It shows where investors’ money is actively building a better future: renewable energy, affordable housing, health, water and nature restoration, and the circular economy.
Barry Coates, Mindful Money founder, said: “Mindful Money started seven years ago by helping Kiwis to invest in line with their values, avoiding issues like human rights violations and environmental damage. We always intended to help Kiwis to invest in their ideal funds – making a difference and making good returns. It has taken three years of research and development to trace the money and verify the results. We are proud that we can now show the public how their retirement savings are helping build a better future. With Mindful Money providing transparency, we expect KiwiSaver and managed funds to step up and raise the level of their investment for good.”
New Zealanders can check exactly what their own KiwiSaver fund is invested in, and find a fund that better aligns with their values, for free, at mindfulmoney.nz.
Notes to editors:
Positive Outcome Categories
- Circular Economy – alternatives to plastic, materials and products that are reused repeatedly.
- Climate Solutions – renewable energy and technology that reduces emissions.
- Community Development – affordable housing, education.
- Health – innovation in treatments and improved access.
- Water and Nature – innovation in water treatment, ecosystem restoration.
Full methodology is available on request.
Ethical returns and strong investments
Evidence that returns from well-managed ethical investments results in stronger long-term performance, including comprehensive datasets of comparative studies, is available here.
About Mindful Money:
Mindful Money is an independent New Zealand charity that empowers Kiwis to align their investments with their values, by tracking where KiwiSaver and managed fund money actually goes, and helping members of the public find funds that meet their ethical standards.