Finalists for the awards were announced last Friday with a total of 48 entries received over the seven categories.

Mindful Money founder and chief executive Barry Coates says his team thought they may not fill the 220-seat venue but are "...now kicking ourselves we didn't make it 400".

"We'll be looking at a larger venue next year," he says.

"In the old days, everyone assumed it [ethical investing] was something quite different and it was being looked down on with people being quite cynical."

Coates says ethical and responsible investments are now being sought after by investors and are becoming more and more relevant as people become concerned about what's in their portfolios.

"It's now creating what we could call the new normal, the way good investment practise is done.

"We realise there are lots of financial advisers moving along this route and hopefully we'll get a lot more entries next year."

The awards will be held alongside the first Ethical Investment conference and will be hosted by popular comedian Te Radar at Generator@GridAKL on June 29.

Mindful Money has secured generous support for the conference, including Generate KiwiSaver and Mint Asset Management as the leading sponsors of the event.

Mindful Money is also grateful for the support of Devon Funds, Iain Rennie Consulting, Mercer Financial Services, Moneyworks and Trustees Executors, and Good Returns, media partner for the awards.

For awards and conference details, click here.