Whineray takes the reins at NZ Super

New Zealand Super has appointed Matt Whineray chief executive, a role he’s been acting in since March.

Whineray joined the organisation 10 years ago as general manager of private markets; since 2014, he has been chief investment officer of the Guardians, the Crown entity charged with managing the investment of the NZ$38 billion NZ Super ($26.3 billion).

Whineray replaces Adrian Orr, the fund’s long-time chief executive who last year became the new governor of the Reserve Bank New Zealand.

NZ Super chair Catherine Savage says Whineray was the stand-out amid a high-quality field of international applicants.

“He has been instrumental in the Guardians’ successes over the last decade and is recognised globally as a leader in institutional investment,” Savage says. “The board has the utmost confidence in his leadership ability, intelligence and integrity.

“The board looks forward to seeing the NZ Super Fund continue to exemplify investment best practice and create value for taxpayers.”

Sponsored Content

In accepting the top role at NZ Super, Whineray thanked the board for its confidence in him and said he was delighted to take the leadership position.

“The NZ Super Fund is one of the most exciting places to work in institutional investment globally and I am looking forward to the challenge immensely,” Whineray says.

Whineray will take on his role in July. A new chief investment officer has not yet been announced.

NZ Super has most of its money invested internationally, with $30 billion in global markets and $5 billion in New Zealand across industries such as agriculture, farming, banking and aged care.

The fund’s one-year return was 20.7 per cent at the end of the 2017 financial year, with 4.37 per cent added above the passive reference portfolio benchmark. The fund’s 10-year return is 8.63 per cent and since inception it has returned 10.22 per cent.

For more stories on New Zealand Super click here 

Leave a Comment

Sort content by

SWF investors in Citi to face dilemma if US govt ups its stake

Greater US government ownership of Citigroup could bring a dilemma to one of the troubled bank’s major stakeholders, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC), according to US financial services consultancy Aite group. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Asia and South America focus for SWFs

Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), with assets of about US$5 trillion, see Brazil, China and areas of Central America as the most attractive geographical regions for investment, while 70 per cent plan to increase their allocations to equity markets in the second half of the year, according to new research by Financial Dynamics International (FDI). mrec4inarticleinline

Investors not willing to pay for alpha: Mercer

Pension funds could soon hold bargaining power over funds managers, particularly in the alternative asset classes, with asset management fees predicted to decrease in 2009 and beyond. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Endowments need to think short term to counteract GFC

Endowments and foundations need to adapt their investment policies to incorporate more short-term alterations as a way to meet liquidity challenges presented by the global financial crisis, according to new research by Russell Investments. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

CalSTRS to vote on tactical asset shift, new “innovation portfolio”

The US$161 billion California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) is set to vote next week on a proposal which would see $6 billion tactically invested in the debt markets, as well as the conception of a new “innovation portfolio”. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Canada consults on private pensions

Canada’s ministry of finance will begin public consultations on the legislative and regulatory framework for federally regulated private pension plans in mid-March. mrec4inarticleinline Sponsored Content scnative1 scnative2 scnative3

Previous