Stewardship was a significant theme at the recent Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) conference in Australia and at a related event in Auckland. Visiting speaker Claudia Chapman, Head of Stewardship at the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) made presentations at both events.

It is heartening to report that several proposals that Money Matters was involved in making to the NZX Corporate Governance Code Review have been accepted and reflected in the revised Code that took effect on 1 April 2023.

This week we’re celebrating Ethical Investment Week (EIW). An annual event, EIW is co-ordinated by the Ethical Adviser’s Co-op. A group of leading expert ethical advisers, the Co-op is comprised of 31 advisers who collectively advise on over $2 billion on behalf of over 3,300 Australians and New Zealanders. Money Matters was the first (and is currently the only) New Zealand Member of the Co-op.

For investors, choosing the best ethical financial adviser is a challenge. The Mindful Money Awards judges were faced with the very same challenge. The verdict is in, and it’s official; Money Matters are the best.

Ethical investors are increasingly embracing the vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of shared prosperity in a sustainable world—a world where all people can live productive, vibrant and peaceful lives on a healthy planet.

The value added by ethical business and ethical investment in reducing risk is explored in “Good business sense? Why ethical companies often outperform” published in The Guardian Labs (21st October, 2020).

The evidence continues to challenge the misconception that ethical and responsible investing comes at the expense of financial returns.