Did you know that nearly $900 million of our investments support companies that cause Social Harm?
The tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment, pornography, and alcohol industries have long been recognised for the harm they can inflict on individuals and society. Tobacco, with its undeniable links to many health issues; gambling, which can lead to addiction and financial hardships; pornography, often criticised for its exploitative nature; and alcohol, associated with health risks and societal issues.
But did you know your KiwiSaver and Investment funds could be directly funding these companies?
A staggering $487 million is currently invested in these industries through KiwiSaver alone, complemented by an additional $397 million from other investment funds (analysis of September 2025 data). This accumulates to a total of $883 million - a figure that starkly contrasts with the values many New Zealanders hold.
Our recent survey showed that a significant majority of Kiwis wish to ensure their investments avoid industries that can contribute to social harm:
75% of Kiwis prefer their investments to steer clear of companies engaged in adult entertainment or pornography.
Equally, 75% wish to avoid companies involved in the tobacco industry.
74% of New Zealanders wish their funds to stay away from gambling companies.
59% would rather not see their hard-earned money supporting the alcohol industry.
What does Social Harm Free mean?
Social harm free investing means no investments in the following:
Tobacco - Where companies are involved in the production or retail of tobacco, or tobacco-related products and services.
Gambling – Where companies are involved in the manufacture or retail of gambling specialised equipment, gambling supporting products and services, or gambling operations.
Adult Entertainment/Pornography - Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of adult entertainment.
Alcohol - Where companies are involved in the production or retail of alcoholic beverages, or alcohol-related products and services.
Read more about our methodology for identifying companies causing social harm here.
KiwiSaver & Investment Funds free from Social Harm
Look for our Social Harm badges on funds. These have met Mindful Money's robust criteria, and are proven to have less than 0.01% (one hundredth of one percent) invested in companies that cause Social Harm. The list includes only aggressive, growth or balanced funds that have at least 35% in equities. There are other funds free from social harm beyond these requirements - use the Fund Checker to be sure.
KiwiSaver Funds free from Social Harm (based on September 2025 data)
AE KiwiSaver Plan
Booster KiwiSaver Socially Responsible Balanced Fund
Booster KiwiSaver Socially Responsible Geared Growth Fund
Booster KiwiSaver Socially Responsible Growth Fund
Booster KiwiSaver Socially Responsible High Growth Fund
Generate KiwiSaver Australasian Fund
Generate KiwiSaver Global Fund
Generate KiwiSaver Moderate Fund
Generate KiwiSaver Stepping Stones 61-64
Generate KiwiSaver Stepping Stones Growth 61-75
Generate KiwiSaver Thematic Fund
GoalsGetter KiwiSaver Amova Global Shares Fund
GoalsGetter KiwiSaver Amova SRI Equity Fund
Goalsgetter KiwiSaver Generate Thematic Fund
Goalsgetter KiwiSaver Harbour Sustainable Impact Fund
Goalsgetter KiwiSaver Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
Goalsgetter KiwiSaver Salt Capital Growth Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Castle Point Trans-Tasman Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Foundation Series Global ESG Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Foundation Series High Growth Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Foundation Series Nasdaq-100 Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Harbour Australasian Equity Focus Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Harbour T. Rowe Price Global Equity Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Mercer NZ Shares Passive Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Mint Australasian Equity Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Mint Diversified Growth Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
InvestNow KiwiSaver Salt Capital Growth Fund
Kernel KiwiSaver Global ESG (NZD Hedged) Fund
Kernel KiwiSaver Global ESG Fund
Kernel KiwiSaver NZ 20 Fund
Kernel KiwiSaver NZ 50 ESG Tilted Fund
Mercer KiwiSaver Responsible Moderate Fund
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Balanced Fund
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Growth Strategy
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Inflation Strategy
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Life Cycle - Age 0-54
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Life Cycle - Age 65
NZ Funds KiwiSaver Life Cycle - Age 75
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Balanced Fund
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Growth Fund
Pathfinder KiwiSaver High Growth Fund
QuayStreet KiwiSaver Socially Responsible Investment Fund
Sharesies KiwiSaver Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
Simplicity KiwiSaver Balanced Fund
Simplicity KiwiSaver Default Fund
Simplicity KiwiSaver Growth Fund
Simplicity KiwiSaver High Growth Fund
SuperLife KiwiSaver NZ Dividend Fund
Investment Funds free from Social Harm (based on September 2025 data)
AE Investor
Amova Global Shares Fund
Amova Global Shares Hedged Fund
Amova SRI Equity Fund
Betashares Australian Sustainability Leaders Fund
Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund
Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund (NZD Hedged)
Betashares NZ Sustainability Leaders Fund
BNZ Private Wealth Series Australasian Equity Active Fund
BNZ Private Wealth Series Australasian Equity Fund
BNZ Private Wealth Series NZ Equity Passive Fund
Booster Income 99 Fund
Booster Socially Responsible Balanced Fund
Booster Socially Responsible Growth Fund
Booster Socially Responsible High Growth Fund
Booster Wealth Balanced Fund
Booster Wealth Growth Fund
Castle Point Ranger Fund
Castle Point Trans-Tasman Fund
Clarity Dividend Yield Fund
Devon Alpha Fund
Devon Dividend Yield Fund
Devon Global Sustainability Fund
Devon Sustainability Fund
Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund
Epoch Global Quality Select Equity (Hedged) Fund
Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund
Fisher Funds Australian Growth Fund
Fisher Funds International Growth Fund
Fisher Funds Premium Australian Fund
Fisher Funds Premium International Fund
Forsyth Barr Climate Change Fund
Forsyth Barr Global Growth Fund
Forsyth Barr Global Sustainability Fund
Foundation Series Global ESG Fund
Foundation Series High Growth Fund
Foundation Series Nasdaq-100 Fund
Generate Australasian Managed Fund
Generate Global Managed Fund
Generate Thematic Managed Fund
Harbour Australasian Equity Focus Fund
Harbour Australasian Equity Fund
Harbour Australasian Equity Income Fund
Harbour Sustainable Impact Fund
Harbour Sustainable NZ Shares Fund
Harbour T. Rowe Price Global Equity Fund
Harbour T. Rowe Price Global Equity Fund (Hedged)
Hyperion Australian Growth Companies PIE Fund
Hyperion Global Growth Companies PIE Fund
Insync Global Quality Equity PIE Fund
Kernel Global ESG (NZD Hedged) Fund
Kernel Global ESG Fund
Kernel NZ 20 Fund
Kernel NZ 50 ESG Tilted Fund
Lighthouse Global Equity Fund
Mercer Macquarie Real Return Opportunities Fund
Mercer NZ Shares Passive Fund
Mercer Responsible Global Shares Fund
Mercer Responsible Trans-Tasman Shares Fund
Milford Global Equity Fund
Mint Australasian Equity Fund
Mint Diversified Growth Fund
Mint New Zealand SRI Equity Fund
NZ Funds Global Macro
NZ Funds Global Shares
NZ Funds Income Generator
NZ Funds Life Cycle - Age 0-54
NZ Funds Life Cycle - Age 65
NZ Funds Life Cycle - Age 75
NZ Funds New Zealand and Australian Shares
NZ Funds Wealth Builder - Growth Strategy
NZ Funds Wealth Builder - Inflation Strategy
OneAnswer SAC Equity Selection Fund
Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
Pathfinder Ethical Trans-Tasman Fund
Pathfinder Global Responsibility Fund
Pella Global Generations PIE Fund
Pie Australasian Dividend Growth Fund
Pie Australasian Growth 2 Fund
Pie Growth UK & Europe Fund
Private Wealth Series Immigration Investor Series NZ Equity Fund
QuayStreet Socially Responsible Investment Fund
Salt Capital Growth Fund
Salt Core NZ Shares Fund
Salt Income Fund
Salt NZ Dividend Appreciation Fund
Salt Select Global Shares Fund
SBS Wealth Australasian Equity Portfolio
Schroder Sustainable Global Core PIE Fund
Schroder Sustainable Global Core PIE Fund (Hedged)
Simplicity Balanced Investment Fund
Simplicity Growth Investment Fund
Simplicity Hedged Global Share Fund
Simplicity High Growth Investment Fund
Simplicity NZ Share Fund
Simplicity Unhedged Global Share Fund
Smart Global ESG ETF
Smart NZ Core Equity Trust
Smart NZ Dividend ETF
Smart S&P/NZX 20 ETF
Stewart Investors Worldwide Leaders Sustainability Fund
SuperLife NZ Dividend Fund
TAHITO Te Tai O Rehua Fund
Trust Management - ESG Australasian Share Fund
Trust Management - ESG Balanced Fund
Trust Management - ESG International Share Fund
Whai Rawa Mataī - Balanced Fund
Want to know more?
The discussion in the seminar below examines the case for divesting from alcohol and the arguments for a more selective approach.
There has been a strong campaign for stronger health warnings on alcohol labeling and annual surveys show that most Kiwis want to avoid alcohol in their investments. Or is there a way to use responsible investing for responsible drinking?
