Your Money Matters

Dr Roger Spiller

For ethically-minded investors who want to do well and do good, finding genuinely ethical independent expert advice is challenging. Join leading New Zealand specialist, Dr. Rodger Spiller, founder of ethical investment advice firm, Money Matters. Throughout this series, he and his guests explore the ins and outs of ethical investing, and show how investors can indeed make money and make a difference.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    A Quick Guide to Ethical AI with Dr Kerry McInerney

    What is artificial intelligence and what makes its development and use ethical? Recorded at the RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2026 in Auckland, Dr Rodger Spiller speaks with AI ethicist Dr Kerry McInerney about the ideas behind her keynote, A Quick Guide to Ethical AI. Kerry helps us understand what the term “AI” covers and how to develop a grounded perspective amid competing promises and fears about the technology’s future. We explore why AI is not neutral: how it reflects the values and assumptions of its creators, how historical data can reproduce discrimination, and how its use can reinforce existing inequalities. Kerry encourages us to consider how AI shifts power, who benefits and who may bear the costs. The conversation also considers AI’s environmental impacts and why technical fixes alone cannot address its ethical challenges. We discuss the importance of rights, accountability and ensuring that different perspectives help shape the technology. Kerry concludes with practical guidance for engaging with AI more critically and responsibly in everyday life and work—including recognising where it is useful and asking whether it is the right solution in the first place. For ethical investors, this conversation provides valuable context for understanding the technologies they may be investing in and considering how AI’s benefits and harms are shared. Dr Kerry McInerney is an AI ethicist and lecturer at the University of Auckland’s School of Computer Science. Her research examines AI’s social and political impacts, particularly gender- and race-based discrimination. Disclaimer: Money Matters does not endorse or recommend any specific investment, fund, or strategy. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

  2. Sep 27

    Investing in AI, Layer by Layer — with Vinay Chhoda, Betashares

    To open Ethical Investment Week 2026 — themed "The Legacy We Leave" — Dr Roger Spiller (Money Matters) is joined by Vinay, Responsible Investment Manager at Betashares, to unpack how ethical investors can actually engage with artificial intelligence, rather than simply labelling it "good" or "bad." They introduce the new Ethical Investment Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights (RIAA & the Ethical Advisers Co-op) and its five reasons AI matters to investors — reputational, legal, operational, social and systemic risk. The core of the conversation is Betashares' AI value chain framework, which maps the ecosystem across four layers: semiconductor makers (Nvidia), cloud infrastructure (Microsoft, Amazon), foundation model developers (OpenAI, Anthropic) and applications/software (Salesforce) — with a real-world case study, key ethical risks and genuine opportunities at each layer. They also cover why Microsoft doesn't qualify as a "climate leader" for the Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders Fund despite strong AI governance, how engagement and proxy voting work alongside screening, and initiatives like the World Benchmarking Alliance's Collective Impact Coalition. The episode closes with reflections from Yuval Noah Harari's recent interview with The Economist on AI, control, and human choice. Money Matters is an ethical investment firm helping people understand how they can make money and make a difference. This podcast provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation.

  3. Sep 26

    The Future of Responsible Investment with RIAA Co-CEO Dean Hegarty

    What does responsible investment look like in practice, and how is the industry changing? Recorded at the RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2026, Money Matters host Dr Roger Spiller speaks with RIAA Co-CEO Dean Hegarty about the evolution of responsible investment and the challenges facing investors today. Dean shares his personal journey into responsible investment, the role of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), and why the industry is moving beyond simply asking what investments to exclude. The conversation explores some of the major issues discussed at the conference, including artificial intelligence, energy, modern slavery, defence and the growing importance of understanding interconnected, systems-level risks. Roger and Dean also discuss the role of investor engagement, accountability and RIAA's certification framework, including how investors can better understand whether investment products are genuinely delivering on their responsible or sustainable investment claims. With responsible investment becoming increasingly complex, Dean explains why collaboration, education and practical implementation are becoming more important for the industry. Recorded at the RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2026 in Auckland as part of the Money Matters podcast. Money Matters is an ethical investment firm helping people understand how they can make money and make a difference. This podcast provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation.

  4. Sep 26

    The Ethical Investment Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights with RIAA Co-CEO Estelle Parker

    How should investors think about artificial intelligence, human rights and the growing impact of AI on the environment? Recorded at the RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2026, Money Matters host Dr Roger Spiller speaks with RIAA Co-CEO Estelle Parker about the opportunities and risks AI presents for responsible investors. Estelle discusses her journey from a 20-year diplomatic career into responsible investment and explains how investment decisions can influence the environment and society. The conversation explores RIAA's work on AI and human rights, including issues such as misinformation, inequality, bias in decision-making, access to AI, water use and the carbon emissions associated with data centres. Roger and Estelle also discuss what investors can ask companies and fund managers about AI, including whether existing net-zero, climate and nature strategies remain fit for purpose as companies rapidly expand their use of artificial intelliAgence. The conversation also looks at how individual investors can take a more active role in understanding where their money is invested, including RIAA's certification programme and directory of responsible investment products and certified financial advisers. Recorded at the RIAA Conference Aotearoa NZ 2026 in Auckland as part of the Money Matters podcast. Money Matters is an ethical investment firm helping people understand how they can make money and make a difference. This podcast provides general information for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation.

  5. Mar 26

    Impact and ESG Investing in International Fixed Interest with Jessica Zarzycki from Nuveen

    In this podcast, with Jessica Zarzycki, a Portfolio Manager at Nuveen, one of the world's largest investment managers, we explore a corner of the investment world that many New Zealanders may not have considered - investing for impact in global sustainable bonds. We address questions such as: When it comes to international fixed interest, can investors aim for both strong financial outcomes and positive impact? And: How can a genuine impact bond be distinguished given concerns that some investments may overstate their environmental or social benefits? Nuveen traces its heritage back more than 125 years, beginning in 1898 when John Nuveen founded his firm to finance public infrastructure projects. Nuveen manages approximately 1.4 trillion US dollars in public and private assets globally. Nuveen manages over 447 billion US dollars in fixed income assets. Within this, more than 22 billion dollars are invested in ESG bonds, including over 10 billion in impact bonds. These are bonds designed to finance projects with clear social or environmental outcomes. Examples include: affordable housing, community development, renewable energy and protection of natural resources. Jessica was in Auckland as a guest of Trust Investments. The Trust Investments ESG International Bond Fund invests in the Nuveen Global Sustainable Bond Fund. Please note that Money Matters is not endorsing or recommending a fund or strategy; you are encouraged to consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

  6. 10/05/2025

    Active Investing in International Shares with Tom King

    Released during Ethical Investment Week, an initiative of the Ethical Advisers Co-op, this episode highlights how ethical investing can contribute to growing generational wealth - financially, socially, culturally, environmentally, and spiritually. Each year, Ethical Investment Week shines a spotlight on how investing with purpose helps create a more sustainable and equitable future. Investing in shares can be one of the most effective ways to grow wealth over time. By focusing on companies that are making a positive difference, ethical investors seek to ensure that their money matters - supporting a thriving planet and community while pursuing solid financial returns. In this conversation, Rodger and Tom discuss what it means to take an active approach to international investing, where fund managers use research, insight, and conviction to invest differently from the index, seeking to outperform by selecting companies positioned to do well and avoiding those that aren’t. At Money Matters, we often blend active and index strategies to offer clients the benefits of both approaches. Tom King has been with Nanuk since its founding in 2009 and brings over two decades of investment experience. He holds a first-class honours degree in Engineering from the University of Melbourne. He is a recipient of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his sporting achievements, including an Olympic gold medal in sailing at the Sydney 2000 Games. Together, Rodger and Tom delve into Nanuk’s Purpose, Principles, Practices, and Performance measurement, revealing how the firm combines world-class investment discipline with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical integrity. “Our aim,” says Tom, “is to help clients manage the risks and seize the opportunities that come from the global shift toward sustainability.” ________________________________________ Disclaimer: Money Matters does not endorse or recommend any specific investment, fund, or strategy. This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

About

For ethically-minded investors who want to do well and do good, finding genuinely ethical independent expert advice is challenging. Join leading New Zealand specialist, Dr. Rodger Spiller, founder of ethical investment advice firm, Money Matters. Throughout this series, he and his guests explore the ins and outs of ethical investing, and show how investors can indeed make money and make a difference.