Evidence is increasing that there is a strong correlation between ethics and sustainable financial performance. Leading businesses internationally and local companies such as the finalists in the recent New Zealand Business Ethics Awards - 3M New Zealand, Datamail and Auckland International Airport - are committed to ethical leadership.

Following the international trend that has seen companies such as British Telecom, Shell and BP produce ethical accounting reports in 1999, leading New Zealand companies have committed themselves to producing in the coming year reports that account for not only traditional financial results but also environmental, social and ethical performance.

Businesses are increasingly reflecting upon ethics and reaping benefits through this process. The Four Ps of ethical business: purpose, principles, practices and performance measurement provide a framework for this reflection and achieving a triple bottom-line of financial, social and environmental performance.

This year’s theme for the UN-supported International Women’s Day, to be held on 8th March, is 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. The UN maintains that the world is at a crossroads for gender equality and that standing up for women’s rights is more important than ever. In keeping with the spirit of NZ’s women's suffrage movement, NZ investors, investment advisers, and fund managers can be ethical leaders by investing more in women to accelerate progress towards gender equality. You can use your money as a force for good by voting for gender equality with your investments.

The Ethical Advisers’ Co-op (EAC) recently released their 2023 Annual Report ‘Building Your Sustainable Legacy’. Money Matters was thrilled to contribute. We are the only Kiwi members of the Co-op, which advises 3,948 clients who collectively invest more than $2.91 billion.

A New Year can inspire a commitment to make change. For example, an ethical investor’s New Years resolutions might include aiming to make more of a difference in 2024 by proudly and loudly advocating for ethical investment…

A look at risk highlights from the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024.

Three key lessons from ‘The Catalyst’s Way’ for ethical investors

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.