Trust Waikato named Responsible Investment Leader

Trust Waikato is proud to have been assessed in the top 20% of responsible investors in New Zealand and named a Responsible Investment Leader by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) in its landmark annual study launched in October 2023. This recognises our commitment to responsible investing.

Responsible Investment Leaders refer to investment managers that scored in the top approximately 20% of all investment managers assessed on RIAA’s Responsible Investment Scorecard as captured and assessed for the Responsible Investment Benchmark Report 2023. RIAA’s Scorecard consists of 26 questions, covering four key areas, or pillars:

• Pillar 1: Coverage of and commitment to responsible investing and transparency;
• Pillar 2: Enhancing risk management through explicit and systematic consideration of ESG factors and other screens, including reporting of these;
• Pillar 3: Being strong stewards for more sustainable and resilient assets and markets; and
• Pillar 4: Allocating capital to benefit stakeholders and contribute to solutions as well as measurement and reporting of outcomes.

The Responsible Investment Benchmark Report Aotearoa New Zealand 2023 shows that responsible investment funds in New Zealand have overtaken traditional funds for the first time, reaching a record $183 billion in 2022, while traditional investments dropped 9% to $169 billion.

Despite a revised scorecard with higher expectations, the number of managers reaching the threshold for demonstrating leading practice grew, with 16 fund managers named as Responsible Investment Leaders and another six earning the new Responsible Investor designation.

RIAA’s Benchmark Report is the most comprehensive review of the responsible investment sector in New Zealand, with the 2023 report reviewing the investment practices of 70 investment managers.

Read the report here: www.responsibleinvestment.org/resources/benchmark-report