2017 sustainability initiatives
Environmental Solutions
We're committed to helping our customers and New Zealand tackle climate change.
Faster development and uptake of clean technologies through our banking services is the most effective way we can help reduce the use of fossil fuels. That’s why we’ve set green growth lending targets, are developing products that help customers reduce the upfront costs of cutting emissions and are setting an example by reducing our own environmental impact.
Reduced emissions by 21% in 2017 - the equivalent of taking 327 cars off the road
And maintained our carbon neutral status
55% decrease in lending to fossil fuel extraction since 2012
See more details$1.3 billion lending to the CleanTech sector
China doesn’t want our plastic waste. That’s okay – Westpac customer Comspec does.
Supported CleanTech start-ups
Lightning Lab Electric: New Zealand's first-ever energy sector accelerator programme
Westpac's environmental journey
See our journeyFinancial Capability
One of the biggest positive impacts we can have as a bank is drawing on our financial expertise to help customers and communities manage their money. We have a network of trained employees delivering workshops in the community and a range of digital tools.
This year we continue to explore how we can make every interaction with our customers work towards raising their financial capability.
Innovation Excellence Award for CashNav
Our app helps 67,810 people track, categorise and benchmark their spending.
24,613 people participated in our financial education programme
Watch VideoSocial & Affordable Housing
Every day we support New Zealanders into housing. This is increasingly challenging for some, due to rising house prices, which also puts pressure on rents. One of the ways we’re helping is by supporting the community housing sector to provide safe, healthy affordable homes for those struggling in the rental market. We have set a $200 million lending target to support the sector’s growth. We’re also committed to helping lower income New Zealanders buy their own home through the Welcome Home Loan scheme.
Increased lending from $24.5m to $148.8m to social and affordable housing sector in 2017
Find out more592 low-deposit Welcome home loans
Approved to lower income Kiwis in 2017 to help them get into their first home
Diversity & Inclusion
We strive to ensure our employees reflect the diverse communities we serve in order to deliver exceptional service. We know allowing people to be themselves at work creates an inclusive culture and lifts performance and having a wide mix of New Zealanders across culture, gender, age and sexuality provides the diversity of thought necessary to solve future challenges in our fast moving business environment.
NZ's first accredited dementia friendly bank
Watch Video52.4% women in leadership
New Flexible Work Policy launched
Hosted Social Procurement Symposium
Partnered with ATEED and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on event
Awarded the Rainbow Tick for the third year running
Watch VideoDVFREE Tick
First company to receive accreditation from Shine for making our workplace supportive for employees affected by domestic violence.
Community
Westpac has a strong history of community involvement and this year our focus has been working with partner organisations to inspire leadership, provide help to those who need it most, and support local business and economies to succeed.
1,700 children supported to reach their potential by the Mana-ā-Riki programme
Watch Video19,860 hours of employee volunteering
That's 2,648 days or more than 7 years!
Supporting local initiatives around NZ
Helping local budgeting services10,000 children's dreams shared to inspire action to make NZ a better place
Watch Video$1.26 million fundraised for New Zealand's Rescue Helicopters
Watch Video