Greens would dump BNZ KiwiSaver if it won’t invest responsibly

The Green Party in Government would dump BNZ as a default KiwiSaver provider if it continues to invest in cluster bomb makers, the Green Party said today.

BNZ is the last of nine default KiwiSaver providers selected by the Government to move to divest and screen for companies manufacturing cluster bombs, landmines, and nuclear weapons. KiwiBank, Mercer, and ASB are still reviewing their responsible investment policies.

“It’s unacceptable to invest in companies that manufacture cluster bombs, landmines, or nuclear weapons, so the Government must ensure that all default KiwiSaver funds abide by high standards for responsible investment, including stragglers like BNZ,” Green Party finance spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said.

“Default KiwiSaver funds are chosen by the Government. They all need to abide by a set of ethical bottom lines consistent with our values and our law.

“It’s not okay for KiwiSaver providers like BNZ to invest in companies that produce illegal weapons that cause immense harm to innocent people.

“It’s not okay to make money from weapons that end up blowing kids' legs off.

“New Zealanders care strongly about how their funds are invested. BNZ, KiwiBank, Mercer, and ASB should too.

“KiwiSaver providers like Grosvenor have set a very high bar for responsible investment for their default KiwiSaver fund, showing that fund managers can move very quickly to screen out unethical investments,” said Ms Genter.

Latest Finance Announcements

Story

RBNZ lowers OCR, Govt continues ‘let them eat cake’ strategy

While the Reserve Bank lowers the Official Cash Rate, it’s this Government’s policies driving poverty in our communities.
Read More

Story

Trickle-down tax cuts while the planet and social contract burns

The Government’s bloody-minded commitment to delivering trickle-down tax cuts at all costs comes at the expense of investment in people and planet. 
Read More

Story

Minister of Finance reheats austerity politics

This morning’s pre-Budget speech from the Minister of Finance offered no “meaningful” news on the Government’s trickle-down economics based plans.
Read More

Story

Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire

Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choos...
Read More

Story

Cold climate cuts for Christmas

Once again, the National Party has shown a breathtaking willingness to say one thing during an election campaign and then do the exact opposite whe...
Read More

Story

State of books makes clear case for wealth tax

The case for a wealth tax has never been stronger.
Read More