Meet our new Fund Managers - Harbour Asset Management
Over the last few years, Nikau Foundation has grown considerably. Our funds under management now total more than $32 million, representing an almost 300% increase over the past three and a half years. During this period, we have evolved from a small, self-managed not-for-profit to a medium-sized institutional investor. This growth warranted a reassessment of the way our investments are managed to position ourselves for the future.
In late 2021, we put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to a wide range of New Zealand-based Fund Managers and received 10 proposals back. Following a review of these RFP's, we have chosen to partner with both Harbour Asset Management and Craigs Investment Partners.
Meet Harbour Asset Management
Harbour Asset Management (Harbour) is a Wellington-based Institutional Fund Manager managing more than $7.1 billion for a variety of clients including charitable trusts, community trusts, iwi, crown financial institutions and superannuation schemes. With a track record of strong investment returns and organisational commitment to create better outcomes for our local communities, Harbour perfectly aligned with Nikau Foundation's growth and giving aspirations.
Nikau Foundation Executive Director, Em Lewis says, "Harbour exemplified all criteria outlined in our RFP, including proven investment returns, stringent responsible investment practices, thorough reporting and a Kaupapa to effect positive change for our communities."
Nikau Foundation's investments will be principally advised by Multi-Asset Strategy Portfolio Manager, Chris Di Leva. A lifelong resident of Wellington, Chris has many years' experience in investment manager research, dynamic asset allocation and structuring investment portfolios for some of Aotearoa New Zealand's largest institutional investors.
Chris says, "we are delighted to be partnering with Nikau Foundation; supporting them in their mission to grow generosity for the Greater Wellington Region, to create flourishing communities for generations to come."
Chris di Leva, Harbour Asset Management’s Multi-Asset Strategy Portfolio Manager
Chris says, "Harbour's investment philosophy is focused on consistency – we combine research and analysis with the skills and knowledge of experienced people." Harbour achieves this by having well-resourced teams. Harbour's investment team has over 300-years of collective experience with each portfolio manager having an average of 26 years experience.
Responsible Investment Policies
For Nikau Foundation, it was important to partner with a fund manager that mirrored our values. Em says, "As a Community Foundation, we aim to 'think global, act local', ensuring our actions do not harm the wellbeing of our communities. This aligned well with Harbour's commitment to responsible investment".
Along with baseline exclusions, such as tobacco and nuclear explosives, Harbour employs a strategy of integration and company engagement with their team actively researching all the companies they invest in and checking for any environmental, social or governance (ESG) risks that may apply to them. Chris says, "sustainability is an integral part of both our investment process and our team values."
A commitment to our local committees
Although Harbour Asset Management work with clients throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, they, self-admittedly, have a soft spot for Wellington. "We are one of the only fund managers with their headquarters in Wellington, so our team are embedded in the local communities," says Chris. This includes supplying kitchen equipment to Porirua-based community organisation WELLfed, volunteering for the Graeme Dingle Foundation's Career Navigation youth programme and partnering with Roots of Empathy New Zealand; an organisation raising social and emotional competency in schools.
To find out more about Harbour Asset Management, click here.
