New Zealand and global investors representing more than NZ$5 trillion have added their support to the Christchurch Call, which sets out voluntary commitments for governments, companies and wider society to work together to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.

Launched today as part of the Tech for Humanity meetings in Paris, the Christchurch Call is an initiative of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Spokesman for the investor group, New Zealand Super Fund CEO Matt Whineray, says the Christchurch Call by global leaders aligns well with the collective push by the investors.

“The investor initiative supports the Christchurch Call and part of our engagement with social media companies will involve monitoring and ensuring accountability for the Christchurch Call commitments made,” he says.

In the immediate aftermath of the Christchurch terrorist attack, New Zealand-based investors joined by others from around the world to collectively engage with the social media companies Facebook, Google and Twitter. The objective of the engagement is to get the social media companies to strengthen controls that will prevent the live streaming and distribution of objectionable content.

“It is important there is a globally coordinated response to the attack, which is why it is positive to see governments and tech companies coming together to search for solutions,” said Mr Whineray.

“We look forward to reinforcing the Christchurch Call by engaging directly with the companies themselves to drive change. As shareholders and investors we will use our collective leverage to raise concerns with the companies’ board and management on these issues.”

The investor initiative continues to welcome new members. It now has 55 funds participating (27 from NZ and 28 international), representing more than NZD$5 trillion of assets under management.

Current participants include:

Leaders Group (NZ Crown-owned investors)

1. New Zealand Super Fund (NZSF)

2. Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

3. Government Superannuation Fund (GSF)

4. National Provident Fund (NPF)

5. Kiwi Wealth (KW)

Confirmed Participants – NZ

6. AMP Financial Services

7. ANZ New Zealand Investments

8. ASB

9. BNZ

10. Booster

11. Fisher Funds

12. Foundation North

13. Generate Investment Management

14. Harbour Asset Management

15. Investment Services Group (Devon Funds, JMI Wealth, Select Wealth and Clarity Funds)

16. JBWere NZ

17. MAS

18. Milford Asset Management

19. MyFiduciary Limited

20. Pathfinder

21. PIE Funds/JUNO KiwiSaver Scheme

22. Rata Foundation

23. Simplicity

24. Smartshares

25. Trust Investments Management Limited

26. Trust Waikato

27. Westpac / BT Funds Management

Confirmed Participants – International

28. AMP Capital (NZ and International)

29. AP1

30. AP2

31. AP3

32. AP4

33. Australian Ethical

34. Aviva Investors

35. Axa Investment Management

36. BMO Global Asset Management

37. Brunel Pension Partnership

38. Church of England Pensions Board

39. Church Commissioners

40. Greater Manchester Pension Fund

41. HESTA

42. Investec Asset Management

43. LG Super

44. Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF)

45. Media Super

46. Mercer Global (including NZ)

47. Merseyside Pension Fund

48. Mirova

49. Nomura Asset Management

50. Pantheon Ventures

51. River and Mercantile

52. U Ethical Investors

53. VFMC

54. VicSuper

55. West Yorkshire Pension Fund