Mindful Money sends SOS to fund managers to save the oceans
Mindful Money has launched a new campaign calling on New Zealanders to use their investment power to protect and restore our oceans.
Thursday, November 27th 2025, 9:44AM
It says New Zealand’s oceans are being degraded at an alarming rate by profit-driven corporations, funded by over $3 billion of KiwiSaver investment.
The campaign highlights the looming crisis.
“Our oceans are crucial for climate stability, biodiversity, coastal communities and a significant proportion of New Zealand's economy, but they are being filled with plastics, polluted by toxic chemicals, mined, warmed and acidified,” Mindful Money co-chief executive Barry Coates says.
"Oceans are arguably our most important ecosystem. We should treat them as our most important treasures," he says.
"But the reality is our oceans are being damaged by the activities of the world's largest transnational companies operating in the vastness of the oceans where few are held to account. The irony is that billions of dollars of our investments are supporting these companies.”
“Mindful Money’s campaign calls on all those with a KiwiSaver account or investments to look at whether they are part of the problem, in helping to fund the damage. We can all take action to become part of the solution, helping to protect and regenerate the oceans we love.”
Coates says the campaign focuses on the role of investment institutions that provide funding for companies whose activities are causing ocean damage. These institutions use KiwiSaver and investment funds to purchase and hold shares, giving them a powerful governance role over these companies.
“Many are aware of the importance of nature but continue to invest in the companies whose activities damage ocean health and other ecosystems.”
“Even those claiming to take nature into account usually confine this to assessing financial risks to their investments, rather than considering the full range of impacts on ocean health.”
"The institutions managing our money need to bear their share of responsibility," Coates says. "They should not be investing in companies whose activities continue to damage our oceans. It's our savings being invested and we can make choices about where our money goes."
Mindful Money's research focuses on international companies that impact ocean health, reflecting the global coverage of most KiwiSaver and investment funds. Research shows that companies operating in the ocean economy are highly concentrated – the 100 largest companies account for 60% of revenues in the ocean economy and their activities are likely to cause most of the impacts.
"We need to take action to prevent further damage and restore our oceans," Coates says. "This should include advocacy for strong international agreements, expanding Marine Protected Areas and proper regulation. But we should also use our power as investors."
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