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Iwi welcome
Conference opening address
Dean Hegarty
  • Dean Hegarty (Co-CEO of RIAA)

    Dean Hegarty

    Co-CEO of RIAA
Navigating net zero: Ensuring transparency and avoiding greenwashing
Dr Rod CarrLiam MasonEstelle ParkerValeria Dinershteyn CFA

Terms such as ‘net zero’, ‘Paris-aligned’, ‘low carbon’, ‘green energy’, ‘green transportation’, ‘decarbonisation solutions’ and ‘fossil fuel-free’ are flooding the investment landscape. Do consumers and retail investors understand and trust these claims?

RIAA’s research shows that climate change is a significant factor in consumers’ ethical investment decision-making, and investment product providers are increasingly seeking to meet this demand through products that make climate-related claims. Are these products backing up their claims? Listen to a panel of experts discuss topics covering:

- How funds can credibly aim for meaningful climate action while meeting expectations on greenwashing

- What funds are doing to deliver on their climate-related claims

- Insight into RIAA’s Certification Program’s expectations for climate-related claims

  • Dr Rod Carr (Professional Director, Director ASB & Founding Chair of New Zealand's Climate Change Commission)

    Dr Rod Carr

    Professional Director, Director ASB & Founding Chair of New Zealand's Climate Change Commission
  • Liam Mason (Executive Director, Evaluation & Oversight and General Counsel of FMA)

    Liam Mason

    Executive Director, Evaluation & Oversight and General Counsel of FMA
  • Estelle Parker (Co-CEO of RIAA)

    Estelle Parker

    Co-CEO of RIAA
  • Valeria Dinershteyn CFA (Director of Sustainable Investing Client Engagement at Northern Trust Asset Management)

    Valeria Dinershteyn CFA

    Director of Sustainable Investing Client Engagement at Northern Trust Asset Management
Aligning value with values: Standards across borders
Helen SkinnerGreg LiddellPablo BerruttiShalini Samuel

Regulatory developments that aim to support a shift in capital towards more sustainable practices are proceeding at pace as taxonomies, product labelling regimes and disclosures regulations are implemented. But what are we trying to achieve? How much do these align, and what happens when they don't? With surging demand for transparency and accountability of financial products that align capital with a sustainable economy, environment and society, this session is ideal for investors navigating the fast-moving landscape of evolving mandatory and voluntary standards in sustainable finance, and financial advisers keen to learn more.

  • Helen Skinner (Head of Responsible Investment | Investment Management at ANZ New Zealand Investment Limited)

    Helen Skinner

    Head of Responsible Investment | Investment Management at ANZ New Zealand Investment Limited
  • Greg Liddell (Director Responsible Investments of BetaShares Holdings Pty Limited)

    Greg Liddell

    Director Responsible Investments of BetaShares Holdings Pty Limited
  • Pablo Berrutti (Senior Director, Portfolio Specialist of Stewart Investors)

    Pablo Berrutti

    Senior Director, Portfolio Specialist of Stewart Investors
  • Shalini Samuel (Head of Certification at RIAA)

    Shalini Samuel

    Head of Certification at RIAA
Morning Tea
Climate change: From risk to opportunity
Hon Dr Megan WoodsEstelle ParkerAlastair RhodesSarah Minhinnick

As the first country in the world to introduce mandatory climate disclosures, New Zealand was ahead of the global curve in seeking to ensure that the effects of climate change are routinely considered in business, investment, lending and insurance underwriting decisions. Acknowledging the risk and compliance lens that industry has been navigating, this session looks outward to the opportunities presented for investors by climate change.

Join this session to explore the evolving policy landscape, which is shaping the future of business and investment decisions; opportunities for investors to invest in climate mitigation and adaptation; and how NZ can position itself to take advantage of opportunities, and make sure it is not left behind in the race to decarbonise and capture green capital.

  • Hon Dr Megan Woods (Labour Spokesperson for Climate Change, Energy, Resources, Associate Finance - MP for Wigram)

    Hon Dr Megan Woods

    Labour Spokesperson for Climate Change, Energy, Resources, Associate Finance - MP for Wigram
  • Estelle Parker (Co-CEO of RIAA)

    Estelle Parker

    Co-CEO of RIAA
  • Alastair Rhodes (CEO of BayTrust)

    Alastair Rhodes

    CEO of BayTrust
  • Sarah Minhinnick (Chief Executive at New Zealand Green Investment Finance)

    Sarah Minhinnick

    Chief Executive at New Zealand Green Investment Finance
Leading sustainability change: A view from the C-suite
Katie BeithGrant WebsterJolie HodsonSimon Mackenzie

Leading large organisations towards more sustainable outcomes requires a complete transformation: strategy, systems, culture and mindset all need to shift. But how do you bridge the gap between ambition and execution?

Join us for a session featuring CEOs from iconic companies. They'll share their firsthand experiences overcoming challenges and harnessing opportunities that a more sustainable company brings. The discussion will delve into:

- Balancing quick wins and long-term goals
- Mainstreaming sustainability into the business
- Ensuring growth while navigating change
- Engaging with investors to drive ESG outcomes and long-term returns

  • Katie Beith (Head of ESG at Forsyth Barr Investment Management)

    Katie Beith

    Head of ESG at Forsyth Barr Investment Management
  • Grant Webster (Chief Executive Officer at Tourism Holdings Limited)

    Grant Webster

    Chief Executive Officer at Tourism Holdings Limited
  • Jolie Hodson (CEO of Spark)

    Jolie Hodson

    CEO of Spark
  • Simon Mackenzie (Group Chief Executive at Vector)

    Simon Mackenzie

    Group Chief Executive at Vector
Lunch
Making sense of nature: Insights from RIAA's Nature Working Group
Guy WilliamsDr Daniel HikuroaChitra HepburnGreg Munford

Join an expert panel as we break down all the talk about ‘nature positive’, ‘nature-related’ and ‘biodiversity risks and opportunities’ in finance. This session will delve into nature-related risks and opportunities, the race towards ‘net zero and nature positive’ and how nature-related financial disclosures will help investors make better decisions and deliver long-term outcomes for people, planet and value. During this session, we will launch the RIAA Nature Investor Toolkit which focuses on understanding nature-related risks and opportunities and supporting investors to assess, engage, and take action.

  • Guy Williams (Co-Chair of RIAA's Nature Working Group and Executive Director at Pollination Group)

    Guy Williams

    Co-Chair of RIAA's Nature Working Group and Executive Director at Pollination Group
  • Dr Daniel Hikuroa (Associate Professor at University of Auckland)

    Dr Daniel Hikuroa

    Associate Professor at University of Auckland
  • Chitra Hepburn (Managing Director, Head of APAC ESG and Climate, Head of South & Southeast Asia at MSCI)

    Chitra Hepburn

    Managing Director, Head of APAC ESG and Climate, Head of South & Southeast Asia at MSCI
  • Greg Munford (Senior Investment Strategist - Sustainable Investment at NZ Super Fund)

    Greg Munford

    Senior Investment Strategist - Sustainable Investment at NZ Super Fund
What does leading practice stewardship really look like?
Paul ChandlerRebekah SwanShayne Walker

With ‘corporate engagement and shareholder action’ recently crowned as NZ’s most used responsible investment strategy, this session will be a conversation with some of our engagement leaders to better understand what this looks like, the potential, and the challenges. What is effective engagement? How do you prioritise resourcing across growing sustainability demands? What does this mean for companies? And can engagement tackle systemic risks? This panel will discuss these questions, along with global developments in investor engagement, to provide insights into how investors can effectively tackle risks and manage long term value. RIAA is proud to co-host the Stewardship Code Aotearoa New Zealand with the Centre for Sustainable Finance.

  • Paul Chandler (Director of Stewardship at PRI)

    Paul Chandler

    Director of Stewardship at PRI
  • Rebekah Swan (RI Specialist at Fisher Funds Management Limited)

    Rebekah Swan

    RI Specialist at Fisher Funds Management Limited
  • Shayne Walker (Governance Committee Member of Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code and Managing Partner at Māori Growth Partners)

    Shayne Walker

    Governance Committee Member of Aotearoa New Zealand Stewardship Code and Managing Partner at Māori Growth Partners
Afternoon Tea
New Zealand real estate: Building a sustainable future
Shane SollySarah BealeAndy EakinLisa HindePeter Mence

The real estate industry plays a critical role in shaping our environment and communities, and investors are increasingly aware of their influence on the impact of real estate assets. Join us for a dynamic session featuring New Zealand's leading real estate companies. Gain insights on what the real estate industry is doing to improve ESG outcomes and discover how these leaders are:

- Integrating ESG considerations into their strategies
- Tackling the challenge of reducing carbon emissions in new builds and regenerations
- Establishing strong governance and strategies

  • Shane Solly (Director - Portfolio Manager of Harbour Asset Managemement)

    Shane Solly

    Director - Portfolio Manager of Harbour Asset Managemement
  • Sarah Beale (Head of Sustainability at Property for Industry)

    Sarah Beale

    Head of Sustainability at Property for Industry
  • Andy Eakin (Chief Financial Officer at Goodman Property Trust)

    Andy Eakin

    Chief Financial Officer at Goodman Property Trust
  • Lisa Hinde (Head of Sustainability at Precinct Properties)

    Lisa Hinde

    Head of Sustainability at Precinct Properties
  • Peter Mence (Chief Executive Officer at Argosy Property)

    Peter Mence

    Chief Executive Officer at Argosy Property
Keynote by Hon Simon Watts, Minister of Climate Change and Minister of Revenue: Sustainable finance and climate action
Hon Simon WattsDean Hegarty

Hear directly from the Minister for Climate Change his vision of the economic opportunities that NZ's energy transition brings, what the role of finance should be in achieving net zero carbon emissions and the Government's plans to support sustainable finance going forward. A Q&A session will follow his keynote address.

  • Hon Simon Watts (Minister of Climate Change and Revenue)

    Hon Simon Watts

    Minister of Climate Change and Revenue
  • Dean Hegarty (Co-CEO of RIAA)

    Dean Hegarty

    Co-CEO of RIAA
Conference closing address & Karakia
Arti Prasad
  • Arti Prasad (Partner, Sustainable Investments at Mercer and RIAA Board Member)

    Arti Prasad

    Partner, Sustainable Investments at Mercer and RIAA Board Member
Networking drinks and canapés in the foyerProudly supported by S&P Global