Booster KiwiSaver Conservative Fund

Companies of concern

• Human Rights Violations

  • Caterpillar 0.14%
    War & Conflict

    Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.

    CATERPILLAR War & Conflict

    Caterpillar, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, power solutions, and locomotives, has a history of supplying the Israeli military. In 2004, Human Rights Watch reported the use of Caterpillar D9 bulldozers in demolishing over 250 Palestinian homes in Gaza, resulting in Palestinian casualties. Subsequently, in 2017, the Israeli military acquired numerous Caterpillar heavy engineering vehicles through a significant deal. The sale was financed by the United States Government, but the deal itself was between the Israeli military and Caterpillar. Incidents involving Caterpillar equipment causing harm to Palestinians have persisted, with recent instances reported as of 2023.
    These occurrences include the use of Caterpillar equipment in demolishing Palestinian homes in illegally occupied territories, constructing illegal settlements and their infrastructure on occupied land, as well as building the Separation Wall in the West Bank and the Gaza border wall. Evidence also suggests Caterpillar’s products have been used by third parties in other conflict-affected areas, including Myanmar and the Western Sahara. Caterpillar's continued supply to these conflict areas raises concerns about its complicity in the misuse of its products.

  • Rio Tinto 0.02%
    Fossil Fuel Power Generation

    Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.

    Human Rights Abuses

    Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.

    RIO TINTO Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses

    Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
    Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries.

• Environmental Harm

  • BHP Group 0.08% !!
    This company is expanding their fossil fuel production and
    is off track with the UN target to limit global temperature
    rise to 1.5°C
    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

    BHP GROUP Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production

    One of the world's largest mining companies, headquartered in Australia with operations globally. In 2015 Samarco (a BHP joint venture with Vale SA) caused the Mariana dam disaster releasing huge quantities of heavy metal waste into the Doce River basin. This is the largest pollution incident ever recorded and devastated communities and the ecosystem. BHP also mines thermal coal. While it sold some coal mines, it will continue to operate the Mt Arthur mine in New South Wales until 2030.

• Animal Cruelty

  • L'Oréal SA 0.06%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

    L'ORÉAL SA Animal Testing

    L'Oréal is a personal care company and cosmetics company concentrating on hair colour, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume, and hair care. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.

  • The Sherwin-Williams Co. 0.06%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Hermès International Sca 0.05%
    Animal Welfare Issues

    Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.

    Fur & Speciality Leather

    Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).

  • Ecolab, Inc. 0.04%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Givaudan SA 0.03%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 0.02%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. 0.02%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize Nv 0.02%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • PPG Industries, Inc. 0.02%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Henkel AG & Co. Kgaa 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Kao Corp. 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • Novozymes A/S 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

  • The Clorox Co. 0.01%
    Animal Testing

    Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.

• Weapons

  • Daikin Industries Ltd. 0.03%
    Controversial Weapons

    Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of controversial weapons (e.g., landmines and cluster munitions) or components or services thereof.

• Fossil Fuels

  • Contact Energy Ltd. 0.33% 1.5°C
    This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
    Fossil Fuel Power Generation

    Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.

    CONTACT ENERGY LTD. Fossil Fuel Power Generation

    Contact Energy is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest electric utilities companies. Contact operates three thermal power stations that employ gas and diesel. In FY2023, 7% of the energy Contact generated came from thermal generation. However, Contact has announced plans for further investment in renewable generation. This includes NZD 1.2 billion in geothermal power, by constructing a new station and expanding capacity at an existing station, along with early developments in wind and solar generation. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.

  • BHP Group 0.08% !!
    This company is expanding their fossil fuel production and
    is off track with the UN target to limit global temperature
    rise to 1.5°C
    Environmental Damage

    Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.

    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

    BHP GROUP Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production

    One of the world's largest mining companies, headquartered in Australia with operations globally. In 2015 Samarco (a BHP joint venture with Vale SA) caused the Mariana dam disaster releasing huge quantities of heavy metal waste into the Doce River basin. This is the largest pollution incident ever recorded and devastated communities and the ecosystem. BHP also mines thermal coal. While it sold some coal mines, it will continue to operate the Mt Arthur mine in New South Wales until 2030.

  • Valero Energy Corp. 0.03%
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

  • Atmos Energy Corp. 0.02%
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

  • Halliburton Co. 0.02%
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

  • Rio Tinto 0.02%
    Fossil Fuel Power Generation

    Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.

    Human Rights Abuses

    Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.

    RIO TINTO Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses

    Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
    Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries.

  • Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 0.02% !!
    This company is expanding their fossil fuel production and
    is off track with the UN target to limit global temperature
    rise to 1.5°C
    Fossil Fuel Production

    Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.

    WOODSIDE ENERGY GROUP LTD. Fossil Fuel Production

    Australia’s largest oil and gas company with the largest LNG production in the southern hemisphere. The company seeks to massively expand gas production in NW Australia, which will produce huge levels of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 50 years. Ecologists are also very concerned about Woodside’s expansion plans on important coral reef habitats.

• Social Harm

  • Skycity Entertainment Group Ltd. 0.06%
    Gambling

    Where companies are involved in the manufacture or retail of gambling specialised equipment, gambling supporting products and services, or gambling operations.

    SKYCITY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD. Gambling

    Casino and hotel operator across Australia and New Zealand. Has failed on a number of occasions to meet its regulatory obligations. Failures by the Auckland Casino to minimise harm for a problem gambler led to a mandatory shut down for 5 days in 2024. Repeated failures to prevent money laundering resulted in a large fine in Australia of AUD$67m and in NZ of NZD$4m.

  • Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. 0.01%
    Gambling

    Where companies are involved in the manufacture or retail of gambling specialised equipment, gambling supporting products and services, or gambling operations.

  • Vici Properties, Inc. 0.01%
    Adult Entertainment/Pornography

    Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of adult entertainment.

    Gambling

    Where companies are involved in the manufacture or retail of gambling specialised equipment, gambling supporting products and services, or gambling operations.