The Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group is an initiative by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), providing a platform for Aotearoa New Zealand members of RIAA to actively participate and collaborate on critical responsible investment and sustainability issues.
It aims to contribute to evolving best practice in responsible investment, sharing knowledge and work to align these with Aotearoa New Zealand's responsible investment and policy priorities. Through quarterly in-person events and shared insights, members commit to improving responsible investment outcomes within the group and influencing their own organisations and the wider investment community.
Bringing our two main topics of focus for 2026 together, AI and Nature, we are pleased to be joined by Liam Hunt, Head of Sustainability at Generate Zero. Liam will explore the environmental and nature impacts of AI and data centres, including issues such as energy demand, water consumption, resource use, and infrastructure requirements.
(Co-chair of RIAA's Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group) & Investment Analyst
,
Trust Management Investments Limited
Catherine joined Trust Management investment team in 2023, as a secondment opportunity from the community trust Foundation North, where she provided support to the executive team and board, gaining insights into the philanthropic sector and not-for-profit governance. Catherine has a Bsc majoring in Statistics and is working toward a GradDip in Actuarial Sciences. She is also a board secretariat for the Rule Foundation who supports rainbow communities and takatāpui to flourish and pursue systemic change for future generations. Catherine holds a certificate in Te reo Māori Kura pō-; Level 1, 2 and 3 from Unitec.
(Co-chair of RIAA's Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group) & Head of Responsible Investment
,
Fisher Funds
Rachel is the co-chair of RIAA&'s Aotearoa Collaborative Working Group and Head of Responsible Investment at Fisher Funds. Previously, she was the Head of Responsible Investment at Mint Asset Management and Sustainable Investment Analyst at Milford Asset Management where she implemented and maintained their sustainable investing framework. Rachel holds a double degree in Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Business from AUT University, and is an Enrolled Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.
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Head of Sustainability
,
Generate Zero
Liam’s career is at the intersection of data analytics and sustainability practice. He has partnered with organisations across the public, NGO, and private sectors including New Zealand Police and St John Ambulance, and contributed to the 2025 Sovereign Green Bond Programme Impact & Allocation Report by the New Zealand Treasury. In his current role, he supports enterprise customers to develop actionable decarbonisation strategies and meaningful climate disclosures, with a specialism in uncovering and reducing the environmental harms of data centres and AI.
