Funds
Aurora Conservative Fund
Issues of concern
The graph below shows the percentage of the fund invested in each of the worst issues of concern to New Zealanders. Below the graph are listed all the companies this fund invests in, by issue of concern.
Key:
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Harm
- Animal Cruelty
- Weapons
- Fossil Fuels
- Social Harm
Companies of concern
Human Rights Violations
-
Meta Platforms, Inc. 0.13%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
META PLATFORMS, INC. Public Safety
Meta is the world’s largest online social network consisting of the Facebook app, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and many features surrounding these products. The company has faced several investigations and legal action linked to privacy-related allegations, including its handling of user data, and breaches of user privacy. Meta has also been criticised for its poor governance model, as well as allowing its platform in non-English speaking countries to be used to incite ethnic violence.
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Johnson & Johnson 0.04%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON Public Safety
Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most diverse healthcare firm. The company has been involved in repeated incidents related to the quality and safety of several of its products across all three of the company’s business segments — drugs, devices, and consumer products. Several products have been associated with allegations of severe or even fatal adverse impacts on patients.
-
Caterpillar 0.02%
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. -
Motorola Solutions Inc 0.01%
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.
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC War & Conflict
Motorola is an American provider of communication products, video equipment, telecommunications equipment, software, systems, and services. Motorola Solutions and its subsidiary, Motorola Israel, have been accused of complicity in human rights violations due to its sale of communication products to the Israeli Ministry of Defence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are deemed illegal under international law and the United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Motorola as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements. As of 2023, Motorola is the sole supplier of the 4G cellular network for the Israeli Military and provides their surveillance and security system, which research shows is being used for border surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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Thermo Fisher Scientific 0.01%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
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Wells Fargo 0.01%
Business Ethics
Where low standards of ethics create harm because of poor culture and inappropriate incentives, inadequate governance and oversight, and incidents of bribery and corruption.
-
Meta Platforms, Inc. 0.13%
Environmental Harm
-
Pg&E Corp 0.06%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Pg&E Corp 0.06%
Animal Cruelty
-
Beiersdorf AG 0.13%
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.
-
Rentokil Initial 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.
-
Procter & Gamble Co. 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.
-
The Sherwin-Williams Co. 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.
-
Unilever PLC 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.
UNILEVER PLC Animal Testing
Diversified personal-care, homecare, and packaged food company. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.
-
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 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.
-
Colgate-Palmolive 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.
-
Ecolab, Inc. 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.
-
Hermès International Sca 0.01%
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).
-
L'Oréal SA 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.
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.
-
PPG Industries, Inc. 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.
-
Rpm International, Inc. 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.
-
Beiersdorf AG 0.13%
Weapons
-
Walmart, Inc. 0.03%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
WALMART, INC. Firearms
Walmart is the USA’s largest retailer by sales, selling a variety of general merchandise and grocery items. Walmart retails shotguns, pistols and ammunition at some of its stores in the USA, as well as components for firearms such as scopes. Walmart are currently working to improve their weapon-realted controls.
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Transdigm Group, Inc. 0.01%
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
-
Walmart, Inc. 0.03%
Fossil Fuels
-
Contact Energy Ltd. 0.41%
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.
-
Nextera Energy, Inc. 0.27%
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.
-
American Electric Power Co., Inc. 0.22%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
National Grid PLC 0.17%
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.
NATIONAL GRID PLC Fossil Fuel Production
Operates electric and natural gas transmission systems in the UK and US. It also operates facilities for storing LNG. including the Grain LNG terminal in the UK which is the largest LNG facility in Europe and 8th globally.
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Dominion Energy, Inc. 0.14%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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.
-
Xcel Energy, Inc. 0.14%
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.
-
Weg SA 0.11%
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.
-
Alliant Energy Corp. 0.09%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Hera Spa 0.09%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Centerpoint Energy, Inc. 0.06%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
National Grid North America, Inc. 0.06%
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.
-
Pg&E Corp 0.06%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Aes Corporation 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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.
-
Cassa Depositi E Prestiti Spa 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.
-
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
-
Nextera Energy Partners Lp 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.
-
Enel 0.01%
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.
ENEL Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Enel is Europe’s largest electric utilities company by market capitalisation and holds a 70.1% stake in the energy company, Endesa. Evidence shows that energy generated from fossil fuels accounts for 15% of the company’s revenues. However, the company have announced plans to abandon coal by 2027 and gas by 2040, while investing significantly in expanding their renewable energy capacity. By 2030, the company expects to have invested a total of EUR €70 billion in renewable energy. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Halliburton Co. 0.01%
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.
-
Iberdrola 0.01%
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.
IBERDROLA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Iberdrola is a Spanish energy company, and one of the largest utilities in the world with electric utility operations in nearly 40 countries. Evidence shows that energy generated from oil and gas accounts for 15% of the company’s revenues. However, the company currently generates 80% of their electricity from renewable sources and have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. The company reports a total investment of EUR €150 billion is planned for this decade to enable its energy transition. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
-
Marathon Petroleum Corp. 0.01%
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.
-
Phillips 66 0.01%
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.
-
Texas Pacific Land Corp. 0.01%
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.
-
Valero Energy Corp. 0.01%
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.
-
Contact Energy Ltd. 0.41%
1.5°C
Fund Provider Response
At Aurora Capital (AC), the focus of our responsible investment approach is to prioritise the climate and environment and to support the change that's needed to create a healthier climate and environment. We actively exclude companies that do more social and environmental harm than good, however, we accept that we can’t be all things to all people. While exclusions are important in avoiding the most harmful activities, using the climate and environment as an example, exclusions can’t create the change that’s needed to reduce carbon emissions, which is central to improving the climate crisis. We need to do more than simply exclude high carbon emitting companies; we also need to fund innovations that are needed to replace legacy carbon emitting processes. We may invest in companies that currently have high carbon emissions provided they are on a path to a renewable future. Please see our website for more information about our Responsible Investing Policy and exclusions: https://www.aurora.co.nz/assets/Fund-Documents/Aurora_Responsible_Investment_Feb24.pdf
This data is compiled by Mindful Money from the fund information and portfolios
that each KiwiSaver fund has
filed with the Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2024 and Mindful Money
analysis of funds within those portfolios. The list of companies of concern has
been drawn from ratings agencies and public sources, including the Norwegian
Sovereign Fund, NZ Super Fund, Sustainalytics and research organisations.
Please note that companies may breach more than one of these areas of
concern.
The listing of companies of concern is based on definitions used in Mindful Money's
methodology. These definitions may
be different from the exclusions policy and definitions applied by the fund provider.
Mindful Money uses the term Mindful Funds as our standard
for ethical investment and responsible investment. This does not imply that
other funds are unethical or that the fund providers that do not meet these
standards are unethical providers.
About this fund
In their own words
Diversified fund aiming to provide moderate investment returns. It invests in mostly income assets and includes some growth assets. The underlying portfolio is actively managed and includes cash, fixed interest, infrastructure, Australasian equities, and international equities. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability considerations are integrated into portfolio decision-making.
| Value | $75.0M NZD |
| Period of data report | 30th Sept. 2024 |
| Members | 4,814 |
| Fund started | 20th Aug. 2021 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.25% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 1.25% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.0% |
| Total other charges | 36.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Sean Henaghan |
Currently: CIO & Director, Aurora Capital (3 years, 5 months) |
|
Ian Coates |
Currently: General Manager, Aurora Capital (2 years, 7 months) |
|
Thomas Mcrobie |
Currently: Investment Analyst, Aurora Capital (3 years, 5 months) |
|
George Steele |
Currently: Operations Lead (2 years, 6 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2024.
Past Returns
Past annual returns for this fund are after fees and taxes. Please note that higher past returns do not always mean higher future returns.
| Year | Market Average | Fund Annual Return |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.55% | 4.96% |
| 2023 | -1.85% | -2.43% |
The market average is the average return for funds of the same risk category, sourced from the Commission for Financial Capability's Sorted website. The fund information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2024.
Top 10 Investments
-
Mercer Macquarie NZ Fixed Interest PIE
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest30.06% -
Affirmative Global Impact Bond Fund - Class A
Australia Int Fixed Interest29.36% -
Mercer Macquarie NZ Cash Fund
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents17.78% -
Mint Australasian Equity Fund
New Zealand Australasian Equities3.54% -
Kernel NZ 50 ESG Tilted Fund
New Zealand Australasian Equities2.56% -
Pcg Diversified New Zealand Private Debt Fund
New Zealand NZ Fixed Interest2.48% -
Cash At Bank (BNZ)
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents AA-0.46%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 0.0% | 18.39% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 35.29% | 32.54% |
| International Fixed Interest | 35.29% | 29.36% |
| Australasian Equities | 9.41% | 6.23% |
| International Equities | 20.0% | 13.18% |
| Listed Properties | 0.0% | 0.41% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Other | 0.0% | -0.12% |
| Commodities | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment Mix
How the money in this fund is invested against the fund's targets.
Target
Actual
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2024.