Money for Good Seminar Series

Our electricity system isn't just about power – it's about our future. It's at the heart of our journey to net zero, our struggle for affordable energy, and our quest for resilience.But there's a growing worry that we're not hitting the mark on these vital goals.

Over the past ten years, there's been a surprising lack of investment in renewable energy, despite it being the most cost-effective way to generate power. Instead of focusing on this sustainable path, major energy companies have revalued their assets and paid out the proceeds to their shareholders. Their dominance in the electricity market has created barriers for new players and higher prices for consumers.

This seminar aims to explore various reform proposals and consider alternative solutions, looking for a way forward to meet these challenging aims. We will be talking with Alva Feldmeier, Executive Director of 350 Aotearoa, and Margaret Cooney, CEO of Octopus NZ

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In an ironic twist, expectations are building that the forthcoming climate summit (COP28) will agree on a phase out of fossil fuels, negotiated in the United Arab Emirates of all places. The summit will be chaired by Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, which has announced plans for a massive expansion of oil production.

The spotlight at COP28 won't just be on the hosts. Countries like New Zealand will also be under close watch. We, along with others, are facing scrutiny over what appears to be a step back from our climate commitments. The strategy set by our Cabinet before the election declares that New Zealand will push for a worldwide phase-out of fossil fuels. Yet, this stance seems at odds with our own proposed backtrack on the ban against offshore exploration and production.

Rod Oram, Business Journalist, and Jo Kelly, the Chief Executive of the Centre for Sustainable Finance, will be sharing their insights and experiences directly from the climate summit with us.

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The Mindful Money Award for Best Ethical Financial Adviser celebrates the people that lead the way in helping others to invest in positive social environmental benefits and in climate action. 

Listen to Mindful Money CEO and Founder Barry Coates in conversation with two of this years winners, Carey Church, Financial Adviser and Managing Director at Moneyworks and Peter Lee, Director and Financial Planner at Ethical Investing NZ.

Here's your golden opportunity to learn from the best, topics covered were: 
- Their innovative business models that merge client ethics with financial advice in two distinct ways
- Steps for advisers to initiate value-driven conversations with clients
- Pathways to integrate sustainability into financial advice in New Zealand

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This seminar explored international trends in renewable energy and fossil fuels and the pathway for rapid growth in renewable energy in New Zealand.

We were joined by Kingsmill Bond, Energy Strategist at Rocky Mountain Institute, Deion Campbell, Operating Partner with the global investment manager, and David Tong, Campaign Manager at Oil Change International.

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This seminar, co-hosted by Mindful Money and the NZ Stewardship Code, examined the ways that fund managers can use the tools of corporate governance to improve social, environmental and governance practices of companies. This ‘stewardship’ approach is both a responsibility for good investment practice and an approach that can improve real world outcomes.

Good practice examples from New Zealand and Australia will be used to look at the potential for stewardship influence and discuss its limitations.

The discussion on real world examples will then be linked to the principles of the recently formed NZ Stewardship Code.

We were joined by Jessica Cairns is the Head of ESG and Sustainability at Alphinity Investment Management, Frances Sweetman is Milford’s Head of Sustainable Investment and  Jackson Rowland is the lead in the NZ Stewardship Code Secretariat. 

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Almost all KiwiSaver and investment fund providers claim to be ethical or responsible or sustainable or ‘ESG’. This seminar unpacks what these terms mean and how you can find out the real impact of your investment. It covers the different approaches to ethical investment and whether, as is often claimed, they are good for financial returns as well as for the people and the planet. Amidst all of the claims and the greenwash, the seminar helps to identify the ethical funds with real credibility.

Mindful Money’s CEO, Barry Coates was in discussion with Moana Nottage, ESG and Sustainability Analyst for Alphinity Investment Management.

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Missed the 2023 Mindful Money Conference and Awards? 

This is a special online seminar that captures the insights of the conference and celebrates the winners of the 2023 Ethical & Impact Awards. 

We deep-dived into the pioneering work of funds that led the way in ethical and impact investing. Their innovative strategies and dedication to sustainability were more than just achievements; they were the blueprints for the future of our industry.

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In the face of financial market turbulence, consumer demand for ethical investing not only remains resilient but continues to gain momentum. Consumers not only want to avoid investing in companies that cause harm, they are increasingly also looking to invest in KiwiSaver and investment funds that do good. 

This seminar explored our recently launched report:"Voices of Aotearoa: Demand for Ethical Investment in New Zealand 2023".

This session shined a light on the significant shift towards impact investing in New Zealand, the ongoing concerns about greenwashing, and an in-depth understanding of the consumer's perspective.

Our panel featured: 

• Jules Riley - As the Senior Growth Manager for Investment Funds at Medical Assurance Society (MAS),
• Rebecca Styles - An Investigative Writer at Consumer NZ
  
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Despite decades of promises and commitments, the destruction of global forests and other natural systems continues. Damaging impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, loss of biodiversity and violations of the rights of indigenous and forest-dwelling peoples.

In this seminar, we delve into the driving forces behind deforestation and explore the role of both global and New Zealand investments in perpetuating this damage, releasing new data on how much our Investments in KiwiSaver and Investment funds are linked to deforestation.   

We also discuss the potential risks faced by investors and underscore their responsibilities in fostering a sustainable future. 

The panel comprised of: 

• Emma Thomson: Forest 500 Lead at Global Canopy
• Alana Lampitt: Partner at Chapman Tripp - Environment and Resource Management 
• Shannen Barns: Research Analysis at Mindful Money 
  
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Forests play a major role in our economy, society and ecology. 

This seminar looks at the urgent questions facing forest management including the increase in exotic plantations driven by the Emissions Trading Scheme, the damage from slash and loss of soil during flooding, and the growing interest in native forest regeneration. 

The panel comprised of: 

• Manu Caddie, entrepreneur and community activist in Tairāwhiti
• Meg Graeme, ecologist and co-Director at Natural Solutions
• Dr. Christina Hood, a policy expert on climate change and carbon pricing.
  
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Discover how to invest responsibly and use your money to make a positive difference in the world while still achieving your financial goals.

In this seminar, we break down the basics of ethical investing and answer common questions, so you can make confident decisions about where to invest your money.

• Ethical Investing Basics: Understand what ethical investing is, why it matters, and the different ways it can be applied.
• Checking Your Investments: Learn how to find out where your money is invested and decide if it aligns with your values.
• Choosing the Right Fund: Discover how to pick a fund that matches your ethical priorities and financial goals.
• Avoiding Greenwash: How to ensure that your fund is walking the talk on ethical investment
• Q&A Session: Ask our founder and CEO any questions you have about ethical investing, and get simple, straightforward answers.

We were joined by Ayla Barfoot, Network Engagement Manager at Sustainable Business Network

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Explore the evolving landscape of positive impact within KiwiSaver and Managed funds, where financial returns are integrated with social and environmental progress. Recently, new funds have been introduced, enabling the public to invest in companies promoting positive change in areas such as social housing, renewable energy, and clean technology.

This seminar delved into various approaches to impact investing while discussing the opportunities and challenges of expanding this significant financial movement.

Our expert panellists included: 

• Melissa Yiannoutsos:  Fund Manager at Booster NZ

• Simon Pannett: Senior Analyst at Harbour Asset Management

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Recent surveys have shown that more than half of Kiwi investors are concerned about misleading claims, exaggeration and greenwash when it comes to investing. 

With no common standards or measures used by investment providers, it can be difficult to know what to believe.

In this seminar, we addressed these concerns and provide insights on how you can find funds that meet their specific needs and aspirations. We discussed the importance of due diligence and how to identify funds that align with your personal values and investment goals.

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There are a growing number of New Zealand companies that have a business purpose beyond profit maximisation. Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder interests are part of business practices, along with mission statements to make companies a force for good. 

• Qiulae Wong, Aotearoa NZ manager for B-Lab AANZ 
• Nick Stewart, CEO of Stewart Group, a financial advisory firm with B-Corps certification
• Jules Riley, Senior Growth Manager for Investment Funds at Medical Assurance Society (MAS)

Our featured panelists shared their experiences as financial businesses who have integrated corporate responsibility into their operations. Discussing important topics such as what is happening in the sector, the opportunities of adopting corporate responsibility, constraints and barriers, and what role fiduciary duty plays. 

If you are curious  about corporate responsibility in the financial sector and what it could  mean for you as a consumer or a business, this seminar is for you. 

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A core issue for investors is the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The financial risks of this transition were outlined by the research think tank, CarbonAction Tracker in 2011 in their report ‘Unburnable Carbon’. Their projections were hugely influential, including introducing the term ‘stranded assets’ to describe the infrastructure that becomes worthless as the fossil fuel sector declines, and highlighting the associated financial risks.

Mark Campanale, the founder and CEO of Carbon Tracker Initiative contributed a video to provide an update on their latest research.

The findings were discussed by our investment panel including David Lewis, founder of Novus Consulting and previously deputy Chief Investment Officer at Milford Asset Management.

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Climate change is having a devastating impact on New Zealand and the world, causing costly damage and causing suffering to communities.  As the situation worsens, it's becoming increasingly important to invest in infrastructure that can withstand the extreme weather conditions caused by climate change. This is not only important for the government, but also for investors who want to ensure the long-term sustainability of their investments and contribute to greater resilience.

This seminar discusses how we can mobilise investment to fund climate-resilient infrastructure. We were joined by Dr. David Hall, who shared insights from his new report on investment in climate resilience. 

We were also joined by Professor James Renwick, a leading New Zealand and IPCC climate researcher, who outlined the severe climate risks facing New Zealand households, infrastructure and businesses. 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about this critical issue and explore ways investors can take action.

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When your KiwiSaver or investment fund uses your money for equity investments they buy shares in the company. That makes them a part owner of the company and gives them the power to vote their shares at Annual General Meetings. It also opens the door to influence company management and Boards through meetings and other forms of engagement. When this is done at a large scale it can influence companies by changing their policies or their Directors. More fund providers are now recognising they have a responsibility to influence companies towards higher social and environmental standards. 

Most individual investors are not provided with the information to be able to understand how this works, and whether the change is real. New Zealand fund providers now have a Stewardship Code to guide good practice, and some experience of how engagement can be effective. 

 In this seminar, we deep dived into this engagement or ‘stewardship’ process, to understand it from the perspective of the fund provider and the company. We spoke with: 

🎙️ Frances Blundell – Chief Legal & ESG Officer at KMD. 

Frances is responsible for leading the Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) strategies and initiatives for Kathmandu, Rip Curl and Oboz

🎙️ Jorge Waayman - ESG programme manager at Harbour Asset Management

Jorge manages Harbour’s ESG programme including research and implementation. This involves coordinating policies, engagement and proxy voting activity across investments and participating in wider industry collaboration.

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Your KiwiSaver fund could be the largest polluter in your personal carbon footprint.

Your KiwiSaver invests mainly in companies, and they have very different impacts on the climate. Our latest research shows that your KiwiSaver could be the largest polluter in your personal carbon footprint, at 2.3 tonnes per year.

Learn how to use your money to help the climate (while still making good returns!). In this seminar we covered the different ways you can use your money to reduce emissions and fund climate solutions.

We spoke with: 
🎙️Sir. Jonathon Porrit, Co-Founder of Forum for the Future and writer of the best-selling book Hope in Hell
🎙️Dr. Sebastian Gehricke, Senior Lecturer in Finance at the Otago Business School
🎙️Rohan McMahon, from the Climate Venture Capital Fund on climate solutions
🎙️ Leah Keys, Investment Analyst at Mercer

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Reflecting on our recent seminar on COP27 (the annual Climate Summit): We delved into the critical discussions at the heart of the summit. Governments worldwide grappled with the immense responsibility of crafting a framework for a swift and equitable shift to Net Zero.

While the prevailing narrative around COP27 seemed to temper expectations, such a stance was deeply concerning. Now, more than ever, the need for decisive government leadership to drive forward climate action is paramount.

We were fortunate to bring together diverse perspectives from COP27 to shed light on areas of genuine advancement. Our discussions spanned topics such as climate justice for the Pacific and frontline communities, regulations for international emissions trading, and funding mechanisms for the climate transition.

We talked with

- Rod Oram, Business Journalist
- A representative from the Pacific Climate Warriors
- Craig Weise, Chief Executive at New Zealand Green Investment Finance
- Rhiannon Mackie, youth environmental advocate

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