‘Loan with a difference’ setto lift sustainability

• Published date: 01 December 2022
• Publication title: Whanganui Chronicle

Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation (AWHI) has more than 9000 shareholders producing lamb, beef, milk and wool across 21,000ha of ancestral land

BNZ’s general manager for Māori business Renata Blair said the loan would support AWHI, and the wider New Zealand economy, to transition to a low-carbon model.

“This is a sustainability linked loan with a difference.

“One that embraces the idea that debt and finances can not only enhance environmental outcomes for Māori businesses and their shareholders, but social and cultural outcomes as well, incorporating and reflecting both AWHI’s strategic values and te ao Maori.”

AWHI was focused on lifting the capabilities of uri (descendants) and rangatahi (young people) through its rural cadetship programme, providing good-quality jobs and setting them up to continue farming their land into the future, Blair said.

“To help them achieve their goals, AWHI will receive further interest rate discounts as more uri enter and complete their cadetships, paving the way for social...