Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Anne-Marie Brook
Author-Email: anne-marie.brook@hrmi.ngo
Author-Homepage: https://www.motu.nz/about-us/people/anne-marie-brook
Author-Workplace-Name: Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) and Motu Economic and Public Policy Research
Author-Workplace-Homepage: https://www.motu.nz
Author-Name: K. Chad Clay
Author-Email: kcclay@uga.edu
Author-Homepage: https://spia.uga.edu/faculty-member/k-chad-clay/
Author-Workplace-Name: School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia
Author-Workplace-Homepage: https://spia.uga.edu
Author-Name: Zoe Shepherd
Author-Email: zmshepherd25@gmail.com
Author-Homepage: https://spia.uga.edu/student/zoe-shepherd/
Author-Workplace-Name: School of Public and International Affairs, University of Georgia
Author-Workplace-Homepage: https://spia.uga.edu
Title: Sovereign Bond Investing and Human Rights: An Analysis of New Zealand’s Retail Investment Funds
Abstract: The human rights dimension of sovereign bond investment has been largely underexplored, even as ESG factors gain traction in other asset classes. This report presents a comprehensive snapshot of New Zealand retail investments in sovereign bonds as of March 2024, combining detailed portfolio data from KiwiSaver and other retail funds with the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI)’s Rights Intelligence 2024 dataset, which scores countries on human rights. Findings reveal significant lending to governments designated as 'high alert' for human rights violations and show that standard fund certifications fail to effectively screen for such investments. By shedding light on this overlooked area, the report aims to raise awareness and promote more responsible investment practices both locally and globally. The report identifies a need for more products that prioritise human rights, enhanced certification standards, and increased investor awareness.
Classification-JEL: G23, F34, G32, K32
Keywords: Human rights, sovereign debt, investing, ESG, New Zealand
Note:
Length: 50 pages
Creation-Date: 2026-11-04
Revision-Date: 2026-11-04
Number: 25_10
Publication-Status:
Price:
File-URL: https://motu-www.motu.org.nz/wpapers/25_10.pdf
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File-Size: 1048 KB
Handle: RePEc:mtu:wpaper:25_10