There's a lot more to selecting a KiwiSaver fund than just checking past returns and fees. If your hard-earned money is invested in KiwiSaver, you need to ask the important questions to understand where and how that money is invested.
Note: The following information is taken from Pathfinder's Kiwisaver Scheme's own website, fund updates, and the product disclosure statement published as of July 2023.
A short summary review of the KiwiSaver provider
Updated: 17th July 2023
Reviewed by: Raymond Hu
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme review
The Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme, formerly known as Caresaver Kiwisaver, is a boutique fund manager focused on Responsible Investment (RI) in global assets.
They offer three actively managed KiwiSaver funds: a lower risk Conservative Fund, a medium risk Balanced Fund and a higher risk Growth Fund. Pathfinder believes in investing ethically and only invests in high ESG companies, as they are of the opinion that these types of companies are better for the planet and its people.
Its investing approach consists of actively seeking out high ESG companies and excluding companies engaged in industries or activities they believe to be harmful. The funds invest in ethically-approved cash, bonds and listed and unlisted companies. Pathfinder's exclusions consist of both regulation-based exclusions and societal and environmental harm. The provider is also carbon negative.
Pathfinder charges annual management fees in the range of 0.94%-1.30% in addition to a membership fee of $27 per annum. Pathfinder donates 20% of its management fees to a charity of its KiwiSaver members' choice.
As the funds were only launched in July 2019, there is no 5-year data for past performance.
Changes within the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme
In Mar 2021, CareSaver KiwiSaver changed its name to Pathfinder KiwiSaver.
In Jun 2021, Pathfinder won the awards for Best Ethical KiwiSaver Fund Provider and Best New Ethical Fund (for its Growth Fund) at the Mindful Money Award event.
In closing
The Pathfinder funds are relatively new, so they cannot be reviewed based on fees alone. It is, however, one of the most charitable and ethical KiwiSaver funds available.
*Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
*All returns are after fees and before tax, updated 30th June 2020.
*Source: MorningStar Fund Report June 2020
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Useful news related to the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme
Facts & History of the KiwiSaver provider
In 2009, John Berry and Paul Brownsey co-founded Pathfinder. After years of experience making and managing money, they turned their expertise toward making and managing good money. By 2018 they had five different ethically invested managed fund options but wanted to bring this new way of investing to a wider audience. Enter Alvarium, a 100% New Zealand owned wealth management boutique based in Auckland (with strong global connections).
Inspired by a future where investing was ethical, they acquired Pathfinder to support its new product launch: the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Plan (originally called CareSaver – the name has changed but the focus on care endures). Powered by Alvarium, Pathfinder continues to balance the rational need to make money with the emotional desire to do good. Join Pathfinder on its mission of generating individual wealth and collective well-being.
"We believe no one should have to choose between an ethical investment and a profitable one." - John Berry, Co-Founder, CEO & Resident Wayfinder
✅ New Zealand Based Provider
Pathfinder currently manages three funds under their KiwiSaver scheme, varying in levels of risk from the Conservative Fund to the Growth Fund. As of March 2020, the total Assets Under Management (AUM) for Pathfinder is just under $163 million.
A+ Governance and Strategy rating from the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment
Best Ethical KiwiSaver Fund by Mindful Money (2021 & 2022)
The investment team, structure and their alignment with clients
John Berry - Co-Founder, CEO & Resident Wayfinder
John is committed to making ethical investments accessible to all NZ investors. Before co-founding Pathfinder in 2009, John worked in law firms and investment banks in Auckland, London and Sydney. He has a BCom/LLB(Hons) from Auckland University and is a board member of Men's Health Trust.
Paul Brownsey - Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer
Paul heads Pathfinder's investment team and their ethical investment processes. Before co-founding Pathfinder in 2009, Paul had extensive experience in financial markets, having worked in Wellington, London, Singapore and Auckland. Paul has a BSc (Operations Research) from Canterbury University and is a member of the Investment Committee for Arthritis NZ.
Hamesh Sharma - Portfolio Manager
Hamesh joined Pathfinder in April 2019 and primarily manages Australasian equities. Hamesh has 10 years of financial markets experience, beginning his career as an analyst in the investment strategy team at Goldman Sachs JBWere, after a summer at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Prior to Pathfinder, he co-founded an independent stock market research firm. Hamesh holds a BCom (Hons)/LLB from Auckland University.
Kate Brownsey - ESG Analyst
Kate is Pathfinder's resident environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analyst. She also gives her time to causes she is passionate about, which usually have an environmental focus. Kate has a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Science from the Auckland University of Technology.
Kent Fraser - Chair of the Investment Committee
Kent has over two decades of international experience in financial services and corporate leadership. He has held executive roles in the UK, China and South Korea and provided consultancy services in specialist treasury, debt capital markets and financial risk management for a broad range of enterprises including banks, investment banks, corporate treasuries, insurance companies and government entities. Group Treasurer and trading roles include HSBC, Heartland Bank, Fonterra and Transpower.
Kent has worked with the Investment Committee for Pathfinder since 2017 and has a Bachelor of Property Administration from the University of Auckland, and is a Certified Treasury Professional (INFINZ).
The Pathfinder Conservative Fund is run collaboratively by Paul and Hamesh. Paul as Head of Investment has the responsibility, however, much of the work is done by both him and Hamesh. Kate (the environmental scientist) is also involved on the research side. This is overseen by their Investment Committee (which includes an independent member - Kent Fraser) which typically meets quarterly to review risk and long-term thematic views.
Pathfinder's incentives align with their goals of managing funds that contain companies that do social good. Their investment basis relies fundamentally on the UN sustainable development goals, making investment decisions that align with these and invest only in companies that operate and have policies that adhere to these guidelines.
According to MindfulMoney, they are completely aligned with these goals, with 0% of their investments being associated with companies that might violate these principles.
Below is a link for more information on their Ethical Investment incentives :
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Ethical Investing |
Governance & Compliance processes
All KiwiSaver Scheme Providers must ensure they meet regulatory standards and act with customer interests in mind.
KiwiSaver Scheme Managers must exercise care, diligence, and skill in the investment of scheme assets, and act in accordance with the stated investment policy and objectives. The FMA monitors that KiwiSaver Schemes are compliant with their obligations. Additionally, KiwiSaver Scheme Trustees also have a responsibility as front-line supervisors for monitoring the management and administration of these schemes.
The Supervisor and Custodian of the Scheme are the Public Trust (PT). The PT is responsible for the supervision of the Scheme and the performance of Pathfinder’s duties as manager of the Scheme. The PT is independent of Pathfinder and is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority.
A custodian plays a key role in protecting your investments. They hold your money and investments (i.e. keep custody of them) on your behalf. So they are the legal holder of your assets while you are the beneficial and ultimate owner.
A supervisor is a licensed entity independent of a KiwiSaver scheme provider that supervises the provider’s management of the scheme. KiwiSaver schemes are trusts, and (except for restricted KiwiSaver schemes) the terms of the trust deed states that the supervisor (or another custodian) must hold all contributions and investments in trust for the investors.
Pathfinder's Governance Process
Pathfinder is owned and managed by Pathfinder, another investment firm involved in ESG investment. Paul and John report to Pathfinder, which is overseen by five directors (two are independent) to maintain a high standard of corporate governance and adherence to the investment policies outlined in their SIPO.
The obligations of Pathfinder as Manager of the Funds include:
The Manager will maintain an Ethics and Investment committee (the Ethics and Investment Committee) to oversee the management of the Funds.
The investment processes followed by the manager
Pathfinder's investment philosophy is built on two foundations:
Investment Beliefs:
Pathfinder's key investment beliefs include:
Pathfinder's obligations as Manager of the Funds include:
The Manager will maintain an Ethics and Investment committee (the Ethics and Investment Committee) to oversee the management of the Funds.
Fund compliance with the SIPO is monitored on an ongoing basis. Fund performance is reported monthly. Each Fund is also reviewed at least annually.
Social and Ethical Considerations
Socially responsible investing (SRI) or Environmental, Social and Governance investing (ESG), also known as sustainable, socially conscious, “green” or ethical investing, is any investment strategy which seeks to consider both financial return and social/environmental good to bring about social change regarded as positive by society.
Basically, SRI investing is investing in companies that have a positive impact on society, based on a number of factors.
Pathfinder may exclude investments in companies that they view as doing substantial and irreparable harm to society or the environment provided the risk/ return implications of excluding such companies is not expected to lead to a significant financial detriment for clients and can be effectively managed.
Pathfinder's PRI Declaration
As part of their commitment to ethical investment, Pathfinder is a signatory to the UN Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI), which relate to their Sustainable Development Goals. The UNPRI are a set of six investment principles for incorporating environmental, social and governance issues into investment practice.
The UNPRI encourages investors to use these six principles to enhance returns and better manage risks:
Pathfinder's exclusions are based on both regulations as well as assessing social and environmental harm:
Respecting people by promoting healthy communities:
Weapons:
Alcohol:
Cannabis:
Adult entertainment:
Tobacco:
Gambling
Respecting our Planet
Fossil fuel extraction: Pathfinder will not invest in companies that derive 5% or more of identifiable revenue from the exploration, extraction, conversion (with respect to thermal coal) or distribution of fossil fuels.
Palm oils and GMOs: Pathfinder will avoid companies whose operations are connected to palm oil production and use, as well as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which are acknowledged as a fast evolving and ethically complex area, with both potential for significant cost and significant benefits
Respecting Animals
Animal Testing:
Factory Farming: Any agriculture that relies on keeping animals in conditions that do not allow them to express normal behaviour is inconsistent with Pathfinder's ethical principles. Pathfinder excludes livestock and poultry farming companies that use factory farming techniques.
Livestock export: Pathfinder will not invest in companies engaged in livestock export as it conflicts with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Whaling: Pathfinder will not invest in companies exploiting animals for entertainment (such as an ocean theme park). Pathfinder believes they conflict with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Pathfinder believes ethical investors have a responsibility to influence corporate behaviour and promote change. Pathfinder votes on resolutions at company meetings in line with their ethical believes and in a manner that they believe will enhance long-term value. They use a proxy voting service that provides research and guides to their voting decisions. Key votes that they identify are also reviewed by them to ensure alignment with their policies.
Engagement is not just voting. It also means actively promoting ethical investment and encouraging positive change by corporates. This includes:
We have looked at the best performing KiwiSaver funds based on their 5-year returns, however, looking at past performance of a fund is just one aspect when choosing a KiwiSaver fund. Other questions you should be asking include:
Our research team at National Capital looks at over 100+ funds and can recommend the right KiwiSaver investment for you.
Our KiwiSaver recommendations look at the big picture and not just the scorecard. So, what are you waiting for?
Pathfinder Kiwisaver Scheme Annual Report
Pathfinder Kiwisaver Scheme Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives (SIPO)
Pathfinder Kiwisaver Scheme Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)
Pathfinder Kiwisaver Scheme Other Material Information (OMI)
Pathfinder Kiwisaver Scheme Ethical Investment Policy
Pathfinder Wins At Ethical Investment Awards | Scoop Business
Investment avoidance not good enough says Pathfinder | Good Returns
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Plan has the following KiwiSaver Funds. More details on each of these funds can be found in the links below.
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative Fund
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme Balanced Fund
Pathfinder KiwiSaver Scheme Growth Fund
The right KiwiSaver fund will make a big difference to your KiwiSaver payout.
Spending 10 minutes to complete our KiwiSaver HealthCheck form may be the most important thing you can do for your KiwiSaver account right now.
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