Media statements
NZ$5 trillion investor group supports Christchurch Call
POSTED ON: 15 May 2019
Share:
New Zealand and global investors representing more than NZ$5 trillion have added their support to the Christchurch Call, which sets out voluntary commitments for governments, companies and wider society to work together to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
Launched today as part of the Tech for Humanity meetings in Paris, the Christchurch Call is an initiative of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Spokesman for the investor group, New Zealand Super Fund CEO Matt Whineray, says the Christchurch Call by global leaders aligns well with the collective push by the investors.
“The investor initiative supports the Christchurch Call and part of our engagement with social media companies will involve monitoring and ensuring accountability for the Christchurch Call commitments made,” he says.
In the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch terrorist attack, New Zealand-based investors joined by others from around the world to collectively engage with the social media companies Facebook, Google and Twitter. The objective of the engagement is to get the social media companies to strengthen controls that will prevent the live streaming and distribution of objectionable content.
“It is important there is a globally coordinated response to the attack, which is why it is positive to see governments and tech companies coming together to search for solutions,” said Mr Whineray.
“We look forward to reinforcing the Christchurch Call by engaging directly with the companies themselves to drive change. As shareholders and investors we will use our collective leverage to raise concerns with the companies’ board and management on these issues.”
The investor initiative continues to welcome new members. It now has 55 funds participating (27 from NZ and 28 international), representing more than NZD$5 trillion of assets under management.
Current participants include:
Leaders Group (NZ Crown-owned investors)
1. New Zealand Super Fund (NZSF)
2. Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
3. Government Superannuation Fund (GSF)
4. National Provident Fund (NPF)
5. Kiwi Wealth (KW)
Confirmed Participants – NZ
6. AMP Financial Services
7. ANZ New Zealand Investments
8. ASB
9. BNZ
10. Booster
11. Fisher Funds
12. Foundation North
13. Generate Investment Management
14. Harbour Asset Management
15. Investment Services Group (Devon Funds, JMI Wealth, Select Wealth and Clarity Funds)
16. JBWere NZ
17. MAS
18. Milford Asset Management
19. MyFiduciary Limited
20. Pathfinder
21. PIE Funds/JUNO KiwiSaver Scheme
22. Rata Foundation
23. Simplicity
24. Smartshares
25. Trust Investments Management Limited
26. Trust Waikato
27. Westpac / BT Funds Management
Confirmed Participants – International
28. AMP Capital (NZ and International)
29. AP1
30. AP2
31. AP3
32. AP4
33. Australian Ethical
34. Aviva Investors
35. Axa Investment Management
36. BMO Global Asset Management
37. Brunel Pension Partnership
38. Church of England Pensions Board
39. Church Commissioners
40. Greater Manchester Pension Fund
41. HESTA
42. Investec Asset Management
43. LG Super
44. Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF)
45. Media Super
46. Mercer Global (including NZ)
47. Merseyside Pension Fund
48. Mirova
49. Nomura Asset Management
50. Pantheon Ventures
51. River and Mercantile
52. U Ethical Investors
53. VFMC
54. VicSuper
55. West Yorkshire Pension Fund