We don't invest in
Fossil fuels
Companies that earn significant revenue* from production of fossil fuels (thermal coal, oil, or gas), or electricity generation from fossil fuels, or from providing supporting products or services to fossil fuel producers.
Alcohol
Companies that earn significant revenue* from manufacturing or distribution and / or retail sale of alcoholic beverages, or supplying alcohol-related products / services to manufacturers.
Tobacco
All companies that earn significant revenue* from the manufacturing of tobacco products, involvement in distribution and/or retail sale of tobacco products, or supplying tobacco related products or services to manufacturers.
Gambling and casinos
Companies that earn significant revenue* from owning or operating a gambling establishment, the manufacture of specialised equipment for gambling, or providing supporting products / services to gambling operations.
Civilian Firearms
All companies that earn revenue from the production, distribution and sale of assault weapons or small arms, including associated components, to civilian customers.
Adult entertainment
Companies that earn significant revenue* from producing adult entertainment, owning / operating adult entertainment establishments, or distributing adult entertainment materials.
Military Weapons
Companies that earn significant revenue* from the manufacturing of military weapons systems, components of these weapons, or tailor-made components of these weapons. All companies that have any involvement in controversial core weapon systems or associated components and services are excluded.
Nuclear Power
Companies that generate significant revenue* from the production of nuclear power.
Or companies deemed to be non-compliant with UN Global Compact principles
Human rights
Principles 1 and 2: – Businesses should support human rights, and not be complicit with human rights abuses.
Labour
Principles 3, 4, 5 and 6: Businesses should uphold freedom of labour association, recognise the right to collective bargaining, and work to eliminate employment and occupation discrimination, forced labour, and child labour.
Environment
Principles 7, 8 and 9: Businesses should promote greater environmental responsibility, and encourage development of environmentally friendly technologies.
Anti corruption
Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.
* Industry classifications and revenue thresholds used for ethical investment screening by Simplicity and our third-party investment managers are applied in accordance with our Responsible Investment Policy. Ethical investment screening for our international investments is implemented via the Bloomberg DM Ex NZ ESG Screened Index Methodology and the Bloomberg MSCI Global Aggregate Sustainability Select SRI Float Adjusted Index, which meet or exceed our policy requirements. ESG screening limitations apply to the Bloomberg MSCI Global Aggregate Sustainability Select SRI Float Adjusted Index due to the nature of and availability of ESG ratings and screening data for certain types of issuers and securities included in the index - a summary of ESG screening coverage for this index is provided in the Bloomberg MSCI Global Aggregate Sustainability Select SRI Float Adjusted Index – ESG screening coverage matrix (March 2024).