Responsible investing
See how we’re investing responsibly for the long run.
Our commitment to responsible investing
This video explains what responsible investing means to us and how we do it.
Transcript - Our commitment to responsible investing
[Text on screen: Ask an ANZ expert, responsible investing. Monique, KiwiSaver Expert – ANZ]
Monique: When it comes to KiwiSaver, responsible investing is an important issue for a lot of our customers.
Well, good news. We think it’s right up there too. So much so, we’ve been recognised as a Responsible Investment Leader 2023 by RIAA. We’re one of only two banks in Aotearoa to receive this accolade.
[Text on screen: ANZ = responsible investor]
Monique: Some people think responsible investing means avoiding investing in certain companies, but it’s actually a lot more than that.
So how do we walk our talk?
[Text on screen: ESG = environmental, social, governance]
Monique: For starters, when it comes to investing, we don’t just consider financial aspects, we also include other factors, such as the environmental impact of the business, modern slavery and safe business practices.
We also engage with the companies we invest in to try and influence positive behaviours. Anything from sustainable practices to improved corporate behaviour.
[Text on screen: Environmental, e.g. emissions; governance, e.g. diversity on company boards; social, e.g. community and staff impacts]
Monique: Responsible investing really is top-of-mind around here, and the same principles are applied to all our ANZ managed KiwiSaver schemes and investment funds.
What matters to you, matters to us. There’s loads more about our investing style on our website too.
[Text on screen: ANZ logo. ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited is the issuer and manager of the ANZ KiwiSaver Scheme. PDS available at anz.co.nz. We recommend seeking financial advice about your situation and goals before getting a financial product].
About responsible investing
We’re strong advocates of responsible investing. Responsible investing means when we’re considering whether to invest in a company, we don’t just look at their financial performance. We also look at their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, because we believe these factors have a big impact on long-term returns.
How we invest responsibly
Responsible Investment Framework
Our Responsible Investment Framework sets out our responsible investment approach and the key principles that guide our investment decisions.
What we don't invest in
We won’t invest in companies involved in the following harmful activities
We also won’t invest in companies that earn material revenues from the following activities*
*We apply the revenue thresholds noted above to some of our exclusions because some of the companies derive small, non-material revenue from these activities – for example Amazon.com, which generates less than 1% of their revenue from adult entertainment.
We also don’t invest in companies that have severely breached global standards – for example through severe abuses of human rights or the environment.
We maintain and regularly review a register of excluded companies that we don’t invest in.
For more information on how we manage our exclusions, see our Responsible Investment Framework.
Environmental, social and governance factors
When we’re deciding whether to invest in a company, we don’t just look at their financial performance, because that is just one piece of the overall picture. We also look at how well they integrate ESG considerations into their business, because ESG factors can have a significant impact on a business’s long-term success.
Climate change
We believe climate change is a systemic challenge. Climate-related risks and opportunities can materially impact investments, so we’ve developed a specific climate approach as part of our investment framework.
Our Net Zero 2050 goal
Our goal is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across all of our funds under management (FUM), although not on a fund-by-fund basis. Find out more about our Net Zero 2050 goal and climate approach in our Responsible Investment Framework.
Climate risks and opportunities
Climate change can be a material risk to investment returns, but while considering the risks, we also look for the opportunities that the transition to a low carbon world will create.
Climate statements
We also publish climate statements (also known as climate-related disclosures) for our funds, in accordance with the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards. Our climate statements provide more information on our climate strategy and the steps we’re taking to decarbonise the funds’ investments.
You can read the climate statements for each scheme below:
Active ownership through engagement and voting
Two ways that we demonstrate active ownership of the companies we invest in are through engagement, and proxy voting.
Engagement
We actively engage with various companies we invest in on key issues to ensure they are aligned with our Responsible Investment Framework.
Proxy voting
As the fund manager, we vote on behalf of our investors on particular issues relating to the companies we invest in. It’s one way to ‘have our say’ on the future direction of the company. This can be on matters such as electing directors to the Board, executive pay and company disclosures.
ANZ Investments’ portfolio managers, as well as external fund managers, vote on thousands of different matters each year across the companies our funds invest in, on behalf of our investors. This is known as proxy voting.
Our Sustainable International Share Fund
While we apply responsible investment principles to all of our ANZ-managed KiwiSaver schemes and investment funds, we also manage the OneAnswer KiwiSaver Scheme Sustainable International Share Fund. The fund invests mainly in international equities with a focus on ESG considerations. The fund's investment strategy focuses on companies that:
- Score highly on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
- Have a low carbon intensity and score well on their ability to transition to a low carbon economy.
- Score well on quality, including measures of profitability and return on equity.
We monitor and measure the Sustainable International Share Fund’s performance against sustainability linked goals specific to this fund, on a quarterly basis. These goals are for the fund to have:
- A carbon intensity that is 50% lower than the relevant market index.
- Fossil fuel reserves that are 50% lower than the relevant market index.
- An average ESG score that is 20% higher than the relevant market index.
- A low carbon transition score that is 10% better than the relevant market index.
The results are made available on a quarterly basis:
Our memberships and certifications
From overseas: +64 9 356 4000
Important information
ANZ New Zealand Investments Limited (‘ANZ Investments’) is the issuer and manager of the OneAnswer KiwiSaver Scheme, OneAnswer Multi-Asset-Class Funds and OneAnswer Single-Asset-Class Funds. Important information is available under terms and conditions. Download the guide and product disclosure statement.