Dumping tobacco industry investments

Media Release 13 August 2016

Hāpai Te Hauora, the voice of Tobacco Control in New Zealand are pleased with the investment dump of at least $109 million in controversial tobacco industry and weapons investments following a Herald investigation into responsible investment policies. The Insights series Dirty Secrets of Your KiwiSaver sparked a public outcry and intensified debate after the story broke a few weeks ago.

Hāpai CEO, Lance Norman says this is a powerful example of direct public response to slash any association with the tobacco industry. It highlights the significance of responsible investing by kiwi’s and the need to maintain a strong vigilant hand in all our public or private dealings with the tobacco industry. The New Zealand public have spoken through action to refuse investments with tobacco industry.

Zoe Hawke who leads the National Tobacco Control Advocacy services says, “We don’t want their (tobacco industry) money or their products, it is clear, this is a solid public statement against firms making tobacco or guilty of gross human rights abuses.”

New Zealand have a goal of becoming Smokefree by 2025 with international and local evidence showing that the majority of smokers regret ever smoking or wish to stop smoking.

Mr. Norman says, “It is important to ensure our communities, iwi, whānau and tamariki have zero exposure to the harms of tobacco industry products and other industries that contribute to the detriment of human kind.

The Insights series Dirty Secrets of Your KiwiSaver found providers managing the retirement savings accounts for more than 2 million New Zealanders had made $153 million of investments in companies blacklisted for ethical reasons by the government-run New Zealand Superannuation Fund.

Hāpai are leaders in Public Health and Tobacco Control Advocacy and deliver national and local services. Hāpai provide a strategic focus that is underpinned by evidence based research for the advancement of health and wellbeing for communities. The mission of Hāpai is to increase opportunities for Māori and all communities to enjoy good health and to be sustained by healthy environments.

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