Ethical KiwiSaver is (or isn’t ) a bit of a minefield. While many schemes claim to be ethical, for example, not investing in fossil fuels or weapons, they might still plough money into booze, gambling or companies with dodgy environmental records.
Many KiwiSaver funds already negatively screen out the type of companies that give Greta Thunberg the heebie-jeebies, and adhere to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment. But that doesn’t mean they positively screen, too, by seeking out sustainable investments.
This is why if you’ve ethical concerns about where your KiwiSaver money is going, you need to thoroughly investigate your fund’s investments.
However, while saving the planet is an admirable goal, the whole point of KiwiSaver is saving enough for a comfortable retirement. And, fortunately, many ethical funds offer returns in line with regular KiwiSaver schemes.
As we mention above, many KiwiSaver schemes invest ethically, but don’t label their funds accordingly. So for this round-up of top-earning funds, we’ve only included KiwiSaver providers that specifically promote their ethical or sustainable credentials.
Please note, all figures are from the latest Disclose Register KiwiSaver Fund Update, which covers returns up to 31/03/26.
Top Performing Ethical & Socially Responsible KiwiSaver Funds
1) Booster | Socially Responsible Geared Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia (RIAA). It uses in-depth analysis and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors to help assess socially responsible investment opportunities. It avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, nuclear power, palm oil production and plantations, seaborne livestock exports, tobacco, weapons and whaling.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 9.87%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 8.79%
2) Sharesies | Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It avoids harm to people, the planet and animals. It selects investments with lower-than-average emissions and avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, palm oil production, tobacco and weapons.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 8.87%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 11.72%
3) Investnow | Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It avoids harm to people, the planet and animals. It selects investments with lower-than-average emissions and avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, palm oil production, tobacco and weapons.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 8.81%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 7.5%
4) Booster | Socially Responsible High Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It uses in-depth analysis and ESG factors to help assess socially responsible investment opportunities. It avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, nuclear power, palm oil production and plantations, seaborne livestock exports, tobacco, weapons and whaling.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 8.74%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 10.64
5) Superlife | Ethica Fund
The fund incorporates environmental, social and governance factors in its approach to investing. It selects investments with lower-than-average emissions and avoids investing in alcohol, coal mining, factory farming, gambling, palm oil production, tobacco and weapons.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 7.49%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 7.35%
6) Quaystreet | Socially Responsible Investment Fund
Invests in a diversified portfolio of fixed interest and growth assets considered to be environmentally and socially sustainable. It avoids investing in alcohol, gambling, nuclear power, tobacco and weapons.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 7.30%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 8.56%
7) Booster | Socially Responsible Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It uses in-depth analysis and ESG factors to help assess socially responsible investment opportunities. It avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, nuclear power, palm oil production and plantations, seaborne livestock exports, tobacco, weapons and whaling.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 7.12%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 7.28%
8) Goalsgetter | Pathfinder Ethical Growth Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It avoids harm to people, the planet and animals. It selects investments with lower-than-average emissions and avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, palm oil production, tobacco and weapons.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 6.65%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 9.66%
9) Booster | Socially Responsible Balanced Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It uses in-depth analysis and ESG factors to help assess socially responsible investment opportunities. It avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, nuclear power, palm oil production and plantations, seaborne livestock exports, tobacco, weapons and whaling.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 5.69%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 6.9%
10) Booster | Socially Responsible Moderate Fund
The fund is certified by the RIAA. It uses in-depth analysis and ESG factors to help assess socially responsible investment opportunities. It avoids investing in alcohol, factory farming, fossil fuels, gambling, genetically modified organisms, nuclear power, palm oil production and plantations, seaborne livestock exports, tobacco, weapons and whaling.
- Past year return net charges and tax: 4.02%
- Net returns for the 10-year period ending 31/03/26: 5.76%
Compare KiwiSaver Providers with Canstar
If you’re comparing KiwiSaver funds, the comparison table below displays some of the products currently available on Canstar’s database for a KiwiSaver member with a balance of $20,000 in a Growth fund, sorted by Star Rating (highest to lowest), followed by company name (alphabetical) – some may have links to providers’ websites. Use Canstar’s KiwiSaver comparison selector to view a wider range of retirement funds. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.
To read more about our latest KiwiSaver Scheme Provider Award click this link. Or to compare KiwiSaver providers, click on the button below.
Compare KiwiSaver providers for free with Canstar!
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Editor. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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