About Responsible Investing

Responsible Investment (RI) takes account of environmental and social as well as financial performance, and encourages companies to address the world’s environmental and social challenges as business opportunities. Research shows that RI performs well financially so investors can do well and do good, have profit and principle, make money and make a difference. Consumer magazine recommends that you talk to an independent financial adviser who holds the Responsible Investment Certification Symbol (refer below) before embarking on any new investments. Money Matters (NZ) Ltd is an independent firm that has pioneered RI in New Zealand. Managing Director Dr Rodger Spiller was the first financial adviser in New Zealand to be certified and has an extensive background in RI and responsible business. Money Matters’ asks clients if they wish to have a responsible investment portfolio and if so:

1. What are the important issues for you when considering investment?

2. Are there companies or industries you wish to avoid or invest in?

3. Do you want to foster engagement with companies by investing in them and communicating your environmental and social concerns to companies to encourage their continuous improvements?

The Certification Symbol

The Certification Symbol signifies that Dr Rodger Spiller of Money Matters (NZ) Ltd offers responsible investment products; has undertaken continuing professional development on responsible investment; and conducts inquiries regarding client concerns about environmental, social, governance or ethical issues. The Symbol also signifies that Dr Rodger Spiller has adopted strict disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program for the category of Financial Adviser. The Certification Symbol is a Registered Trade Mark of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA). Detailed information about RIAA, the Symbol and Dr Rodger Spiller can be found at www.responsibleinvestment.org, together with details about other responsible investment products and services certified by RIAA.

Please note: The Responsible Investment Certification Program does not constitute financial product advice. Neither the Certification Symbol nor RIAA recommends to any person that any financial product is a suitable investment or that returns are guaranteed. Appropriate professional advice should be sought prior to making an investment decision. RIAA does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.

About the Responsible Investment Association Australasia

The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) is the peak industry body for professionals working in responsible investment in Australia and New Zealand. Almost every financial adviser, fund manager and consultant working in responsible investment is a member of RIAA together with many other professionals who work towards similar goals.

In addition to helping professionals in the industry, RIAA also helps individuals and organisations to learn more about how they can make investment choices that take environmental, social, ethical or governance issues into account as well as financial objectives. RIAA is committed to promoting the concept and practice of responsible investment to an increasingly curious general public, to the mainstream investment community, to analysts, superannuation trustees, financial advisers, regulators, religious, charitable and other values-based organisations, government and non-government organisations and to the corporate sector. Detailed information about the RIAA and the Certification Symbol can be found at www.responsibleinvestment.org, together with details about other SRI products certified by the RIAA.

It Can Grow Well On Trees

Article in the Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 16 December 2007

Moves are afoot to change the widely held perception that addressing environment and social challenges cannot make money, writes Rob Stock.

Carbon Neutral by 2020: How New Zealanders Can Tackle Climate Change arrived at booksellers with a fanfare. Tucked away among the chapters on composting, carbon neutral schooling, and energy efficient architecture, was a chapter by responsible investment expert Dr Rodger Spiller. It posed the question whether investors could still aim to get a handsome return by investing responsibly, and that includes investing with a carbon conscience, although he admits there's still quite a lot of work to undo myths around responsible investing.

"One of the reasons why people do not invest responsibly is that they perceive incorrectly that they cannot make money and address environmental challenges, like achieving carbon neutrality, and social challenges, such as seeking solutions to poverty." Read more on http://www.stuff.co.nz/4325567a6445.html