Sam Porath takes the role at the NZ Super Fund.

He will lead the team managing the NZ Super Fund’s in-house active New Zealand equities mandate.

Currently Portfolio Manager – Strategic Tilting,  Porath joined the Guardians in 2013 from Russell Investments, where he undertook a number of consulting roles in New Zealand and Australia. Porath has also worked for Schroders Investment Management in London, ANZ and Fletcher Building.

Porath will report to Will Goodwin, head of New Zealand direct investment.

Porath said the Guardians would continue to take a long-term view of its investments, with a preference for strong business fundamentals, good corporate governance and strong proactive management of environmental and social factors.

The NZ Super Fund is one of the largest domestic investors in New Zealand’s sharemarket, with total holdings of approximately $1.8 billion. The Guardians’ internal NZ equities holdings are complemented by external mandates with investment managers Devon Funds Management and Mint Asset Management, and a 19.9% cornerstone shareholding in listed retirement company Metlifecare.

The fund has key holdings of more than $100 million in each of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Spark, Auckland International Airport, Meridian Energy and a2 Milk Co. The fund no longer holds a substantial position in Z Energy, having successfully floated the company in 2013, although it remains a shareholder.