Call for KiwiSaver to follow Super Fund on ethical investing

KiwiSaver investments have been in the spotlight over recent days after a political outcry over revelations that some default funds are invested in companies making bombs and land mines. 

Sam Stubbs, of new KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, said it would make sense for the whole industry to follow the NZ Super Fund's policy on responsible investment.

The fund has an extensive responsible investing programme, including exclusions for companies involved in the manufacture of cluster munitions, manufacture or testing of nuclear explosives, anit-personnel mines, tobacco or whale meat.

Stubbs said it was an elegant solution that was already set up and ready to be applied to KiwiSaver, too. "We have a Kiwi solution that is world class," he said.