Funds
Generate Stepping Stones 0-35
Issues of concern
The graph below shows the percentage of the fund invested in each of the worst issues of concern to New Zealanders. Below the graph are listed all the companies this fund invests in, by issue of concern.
Key:
- Human Rights Violations
- Environmental Harm
- Animal Cruelty
- Weapons
- Fossil Fuels
- Social Harm
Companies of concern
Human Rights Violations
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Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 1.53%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
META PLATFORMS INC-CLASS A Public Safety
Meta is the world’s largest online social network consisting of the Facebook app, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and many features surrounding these products. The company has faced several investigations and legal action linked to privacy-related allegations, including its handling of user data, and breaches of user privacy. Meta has also been criticised for its poor governance model, as well as allowing its platform in non-English speaking countries to be used to incite ethnic violence.
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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc 1.02%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
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Uber Technologies Inc 0.15%
Labour Rights Violations
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on labour rights and freedoms; including poor treatment of workers, child and forced labour, and modern slavery.
UBER TECHNOLOGIES INC Labour Rights Violations
Uber is a ride and food delivery service provider. Evidence shows the company has been prioritising revenue growth over driver welfare and user safety. As Uber considers its drivers to be contractors, this limits their employee rights to the minimum wage and other benefits, meaning drivers and vehicles are not subject to the labour standards expected from traditional taxi companies.
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Thermo Fisher Scientific 0.10%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC Human Rights Abuses
Thermo Fisher Scientific sells scientific instruments and laboratory equipment, diagnostics consumables, and life science reagents. Thermo Fisher DNA testing kits have been linked to surveillance and discriminatory purposes by the legal authorities in Xinjiang (a region of China) for monitoring and tracking the Muslim Uyghur ethnic group and other minorities. Evidence shows Thermo Fisher Scientific continues to supply DNA sequencing products to the Xinjiang region, despite the company announcing it would halt sales to the region in 2019.
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Nestle SA-Reg 0.05%
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
NESTLE SA-REG Human Rights Abuses
Nestle manufactures and sells food and beverages. The company has been criticised for exploiting local water resources for its bottled water production, which has forced underprivileged communities to pay a premium for their groundwater while alternatives have been exhausted. There have also been several allegations of labour conflicts and human rights violations in Nestle’s palm oil, coffee, fruits and seafood supply chains.
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Johnson & Johnson 0.02%
Public Safety
Where companies are involved in significant harm to individuals or communities, through the unsafe nature of their products or delivery of services and inadequate response to evidence of harm.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON Public Safety
Johnson & Johnson is the world's largest and most diverse healthcare firm. The company has been involved in repeated incidents related to the quality and safety of several of its products across all three of the company’s business segments — drugs, devices, and consumer products. Several products have been associated with allegations of severe or even fatal adverse impacts on patients.
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Motorola Solutions Inc 0.02%
War & Conflict
Where a company is complicit in its products or services enabling violations of the Geneva Convention and infringement of the rights of individuals in war or conflict situations.
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC War & Conflict
Motorola is an American provider of communication products, video equipment, telecommunications equipment, software, systems, and services. Motorola Solutions and its subsidiary, Motorola Israel, have been accused of complicity in human rights violations due to its sale of communication products to the Israeli Ministry of Defence in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are deemed illegal under international law and the United Nations Human Rights Council Report 2023 has identified Motorola as a company providing services supporting the maintenance and existence of these settlements. As of 2023, Motorola is the sole supplier of the 4G cellular network for the Israeli Military and provides their surveillance and security system, which research shows is being used for border surveillance in the occupied Palestinian territories.
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Rio Tinto PLC 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
RIO TINTO PLC Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries.
-
Meta Platforms Inc-Class A 1.53%
Environmental Harm
-
Nutrien Ltd 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of highly hazardous pesticides, according to the PAN International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
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Shell PLC 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
SHELL PLC Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $2,015 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,250 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 5,650 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years).
The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 66.5%.
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BHP Group Ltd 0.01%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Nutrien Ltd 0.02%
Animal Cruelty
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LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vui 1.28%
Animal Welfare Issues
Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
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Procter & Gamble Co/The 0.41%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Kering 0.11%
Animal Welfare Issues
Where companies, through their products or operations, cause harm to animals e.g., animal entertainment (such as marine parks and rodeos), livestock exports, whale meat etc.
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
KERING Animal Welfare Issues Fur & Speciality Leather
Kering specialises in luxury goods. Evidence shows the company makes several products, including bags, and watch straps from exotic leather, such as crocodile, python and ostrich leather and states that most of its houses do not use fur.
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Estee Lauder Companies-Cl A 0.10%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES-CL A Animal Testing
Estee Lauder is a multinational cosmetics company, a manufacturer and marketer of makeup, skincare, fragrance, and hair care products. The company states that its products are sold in countries where animal testing of cosmetic products is required by law.
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Rentokil Initial PLC 0.04%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Colgate-Palmolive Co 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Reliance Industries Ltd 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Symrise AG 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Unilever PLC 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Henkel AG & Co Kgaa 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize N 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Nutrien Ltd 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Highly Hazardous Pesticides
Where companies are involved in the production or distribution of highly hazardous pesticides, according to the PAN International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.
-
Prada S.P.A. 0.02%
Fur & Speciality Leather
Where companies are involved in the production or retail of fur & speciality leather products (where animals are raised purely for skins).
-
Shell PLC 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
SHELL PLC Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $2,015 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,250 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 5,650 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years).
The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 66.5%.
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Unilever PLC-Sponsored Adr 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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Exxon Mobil Corp 0.01%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
EXXON MOBIL CORP Animal Testing Fossil Fuel Production
ExxonMobil, headquartered in the USA, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, as well as in the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and speciality products. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $1,355 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,630 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations by an additional 7,930 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years). This is the largest amount of expansion relative to current operations of any of the major oil and gas companies.
The expansion is also proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, Chad, Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Argentina, Guyana, USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 55.2%.
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Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd 0.01%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
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LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vui 1.28%
Weapons
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Walmart Inc 0.52%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
WALMART INC Firearms
Walmart is the USA’s largest retailer by sales, selling a variety of general merchandise and grocery items. Walmart retails shotguns, pistols and ammunition at some of its stores in the USA, as well as components for firearms such as scopes. Walmart are currently working to improve their weapon-realted controls.
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Amphenol Corp-Cl A 0.48%
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
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Airbus Se 0.05%
Controversial Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of controversial weapons (e.g., landmines and cluster munitions) or components or services thereof.
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
Nuclear Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or sale of nuclear weapons or components or services thereof.
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Amphenol Corp 0.04%
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
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Teledyne Technologies Inc 0.03%
Firearms
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of firearms, including guns, rifles, pistols, or components or services thereof.
Military Weapons
Where companies derive revenue from the manufacturing of weapons or weapon components and services to the defence industry. We do not include non-weapons-related military support.
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Daikin Industries Ltd 0.02%
Controversial Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of controversial weapons (e.g., landmines and cluster munitions) or components or services thereof.
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Larsen & Toubro Ltd. 0.01%
Controversial Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or retail of controversial weapons (e.g., landmines and cluster munitions) or components or services thereof.
Nuclear Weapons
Where companies are involved in the manufacturing or sale of nuclear weapons or components or services thereof.
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Walmart Inc 0.52%
Fossil Fuels
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Contact Energy Ltd 2.61%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
CONTACT ENERGY LTD Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Contact Energy is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest electric utilities companies. Contact operates three thermal power stations that employ gas and diesel. In FY2023, 7% of the energy Contact generated came from thermal generation. However, Contact has announced plans for further investment in renewable generation. This includes NZD 1.2 billion in geothermal power, by constructing a new station and expanding capacity at an existing station, along with early developments in wind and solar generation. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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BP PLC-Spons Adr 1.18%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
BP PLC-SPONS ADR Fossil Fuel Production
BP, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company has as reportable segments: gas & low carbon energy, oil production & operations, customers & products, and Rosneft. Additionally, BP plc owns and operates crude oil and natural gas pipelines, processing facilities and NGLs extraction business. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $858 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,060 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 2,550 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years).
The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Indonesia, India, Azerbaijan, UAE, Egypt, Mauritania, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and the UK. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 49.8%.
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Cheniere Energy Inc 1.00%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Franco-Nevada Corp 0.52%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Eqt Corp 0.35%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
BHP Group PLC 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Conocophillips 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Eog Resources Inc 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Galp Energia Sgps SA 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Hess Corp 0.04%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Constellation Energy 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
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Mitsui & Co Ltd 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
National Grid PLC 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Reliance Industries Ltd 0.03%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Samsung C&T Corp 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Total SA 0.03%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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BP PLC 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
BP PLC Fossil Fuel Production
BP, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company has as reportable segments: gas & low carbon energy, oil production & operations, customers & products, and Rosneft. Additionally, BP plc owns and operates crude oil and natural gas pipelines, processing facilities and NGLs extraction business. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $858 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,060 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 2,550 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years).
The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Indonesia, India, Azerbaijan, UAE, Egypt, Mauritania, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, USA and the UK. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 49.8%.
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Centrica PLC 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
-
Ck Hutchison Holdings Ltd 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Endesa SA 0.02%
1.5°C
This company is on a 1.5°C pathway
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
ENDESA SA Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Endesa is the largest electric utilities company in Spain and the second largest in Portugal, generating electricity from a mix of hydropower, nuclear, coal, gas, oil, solar, and wind. Evidence shows that energy generated from fossil fuels accounts for 22% of the company’s revenues. However, the company have announced plans to abandon coal by 2027 and gas by 2040, while investing significantly in expanding their renewable energy capacity. Therefore, the company is considered to be on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise.
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Lg Corp 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Rio Tinto PLC 0.02%
Fossil Fuel Power Generation
Where companies source their power generation from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal) to generate electricity.
Human Rights Abuses
Where the actions of companies have violated global standards on human rights and freedoms including customary rights of indigenous people.
RIO TINTO PLC Fossil Fuel Power Generation Human Rights Abuses
Rio Tinto is a global diversified miner, predominantly in iron ore but also copper, aluminium, diamonds, gold, and industrial minerals. Evidence shows that in 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed Aboriginal 46,000-year-old sacred sites at an iron mine in Western Australia, leaving a considerable impact on the traditional owners from the loss of their heritage. There is also a pattern of evidence showing harmful community-related incidents involving Rio Tinto in West Papua, South Africa, Canada, the United States and Serbia.
Rio Tinto is also involved in fossil fuel power generation, as the company derives revenue from coal power plants through multiple associates and subsidiaries. -
Shell PLC 0.02%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
SHELL PLC Animal Testing Environmental Damage Fossil Fuel Production
Shell, headquartered in the UK, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company engages in the exploration and production, refining, transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $2,015 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,250 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations an additional 5,650 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years).
The expansion is proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Oman, Cameroon, Nigeria, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, USA, Canada, the UK, and Norway. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 66.5%.
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Arcelormittal 0.01%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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BHP Group Ltd 0.01%
Environmental Damage
Where companies, through their products or operations, are involved in environmental degradation e.g., pollution, chemical spills.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Consolidated Edison Inc 0.01%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Exxon Mobil Corp 0.01%
Animal Testing
Where companies are involved in testing products on animals for cosmetic, personal care, household product, chemical and other uses. We do not include companies which conduct animal testing for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, biotechnology, human food, or pet food.
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
EXXON MOBIL CORP Animal Testing Fossil Fuel Production
ExxonMobil, headquartered in the USA, is an integrated oil and gas company that explores for, produces, and refines oil around the world. The company is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, as well as in the manufacture, trade, transport and sale of crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and speciality products. Between 2021 and 2023, the company spent an average of USD $1,355 million per year on exploration activities alone. After generating 1,630 million barrels of oil in 2023, the company plans to expand their operations by an additional 7,930 million barrels in the short term (1-7 years). This is the largest amount of expansion relative to current operations of any of the major oil and gas companies.
The expansion is also proposed to extend far and wide across the globe, including in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, Chad, Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Argentina, Guyana, USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia. Evidence shows the company is far from being on a climate change pathway aligned with 1.5°C of global temperature rise, as the company’s planned short-term expansion overshoots the IEA Net-Zero Emissions Scenario by 55.2%.
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Osaka Gas Co Ltd 0.01%
Fossil Fuel Production
Where companies are involved in the production of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, shale oil) including exploration, production (including core services), storage, transport (except by rail) and refining.
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Contact Energy Ltd 2.61%
1.5°C
Fund Provider Response
We invest in fossil fuel companies because energy is an essential resource for modern life, and we believe it is better to invest in the companies that are relative ESG leaders in the sector rather than ignoring the sector entirely.
We take a holistic approach to assessing a company's prospective ESG leadership, including the carbon intensity of current oil production facilities, initiatives to reduce this carbon intensity to help meet net zero goals, capital allocation policies including for green energy initiatives, and ESG scores on both the MSCI and Sustainalytics ratings scales.
This data is compiled by Mindful Money from the fund information and portfolios
that each KiwiSaver fund has
filed with the Disclose register to 30th Sept. 2023 and Mindful Money
analysis of funds within those portfolios. The list of companies of concern has
been drawn from ratings agencies and public sources, including the Norwegian
Sovereign Fund, NZ Super Fund, Sustainalytics and research organisations.
Please note that companies may breach more than one of these areas of
concern.
The listing of companies of concern is based on definitions used in Mindful Money's
methodology. These definitions may
be different from the exclusions policy and definitions applied by the fund provider.
Mindful Money uses the term Mindful Funds as our standard
for ethical investment and responsible investment. This does not imply that
other funds are unethical or that the fund providers that do not meet these
standards are unethical providers.
About this fund
In their own words
The Stepping Stones 0 - 35 years old investment option aims to provide a higher return over the long term. It invests in an actively managed portfolio made up predominately of growth assets with a minor allocation of income assets. Volatility is likely to be the highest of the investment options. Returns will vary and may be low or negative at times.
| Value | $48.8M NZD |
| Period of data report | 31st Dec. 2023 |
| Members | 3,859 |
| Fund started | 16th April 2013 |
| Total annual fund fees | 1.32% |
| Total performance based fees | 0.0% |
| Manager's basic fee | 1.16% |
| Other management and administration charges | 0.16% |
| Total other charges | 36.0 |
| Total other charges currency | NZD |
Key Personnel
|
Sam Goldwater |
Currently: Chief Investment Officer/Investment Committee Member/Executive Director (10 years, 9 months) |
|
Daniel Frost |
Currently: Portolio Manager - Property & Infrastructure, Australasian Equities (5 years, 11 months) |
|
Andrew Bolland |
Currently: Portolio Manager - Property & Infrastructure, Australasian Equities (4 years, 6 months) |
|
Ayrton Oliver |
Currently: Portfolio Manager - Fixed Income (2 years, 9 months) |
|
Nathan Field |
Currently: Portfolio Manager - Global Equities (0 years, 10 months) |
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
Past Returns
Past annual returns for this fund are after fees and taxes. Please note that higher past returns do not always mean higher future returns.
| Year | Market Average | Fund Annual Return |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -4.84% | -3.03% |
| 2022 | 3.55% | 0.16% |
| 2021 | 33.87% | 26.82% |
| 2020 | -6.10% | -0.73% |
| 2019 | 10.35% | 9.03% |
| 2018 | 6.95% | 12.08% |
| 2017 | 10.40% | 6.79% |
| 2016 | 4.51% | 5.02% |
| 2015 | 15.30% | 17.84% |
The market average is the average return for funds of the same risk category, sourced from the Commission for Financial Capability's Sorted website. The fund information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.
Top 10 Investments
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T Rowe Price Global Equity Fund
Australia International Equities5.35% -
ASB NZ Dollar Cash Account
New Zealand Cash and Equivalents A13.92% -
Infratil
New Zealand Australasian Equities3.58% -
Microsoft
United States International Equities2.91% -
Te Ahumairangi Global Equity Fund
New Zealand International Equities2.74% -
Spark
New Zealand Australasian Equities2.65% -
Contact Energy
New Zealand Australasian Equities2.46% -
Berkshire Hathaway
United States International Equities2.33% -
Worldwide Healthcare Trust
United Kingdom International Equities2.18% -
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd
New Zealand Australasian Equities1.91%
| Type | Target | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | 5.0% | 4.81% |
| New Zealand Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 1.56% |
| International Fixed Interest | 0.0% | 0.25% |
| Australasian Equities | 15.0% | 19.37% |
| International Equities | 65.0% | 65.29% |
| Listed Properties | 15.0% | 8.49% |
| Unlisted Properties | 0.0% | 0.23% |
| Other | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Commodities | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment Mix
How the money in this fund is invested against the fund's targets.
Target
Actual
This information has been sourced from the quarterly data that each KiwiSaver fund has filed with Disclose register to 31st Dec. 2023.