That's a wrap! Reflections from IIN's Chair Alastair Rhodes

It's been another busy year for the Impact Investing Network (IIN) and on the 27th of November, we hosted our end of year celebration to reflect on the year that was and look forward to the year ahead. We were fortunate to be hosted by Climate Ventures 2040 at the historic ferry building in downtown Auckland.

At the event, we heard from Alistair Mason, Acting Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency, about their work program with a particular focus on their co-investment pathway in 2026. Alistair invited organisations to bring their impact investing thinking to the Social Investment Agency, as part of helping to shape this workstream. This was followed by Soul Capital’s Jamie Newth, Founder and CEO in conversation with Jamie Rihia, General Manager, Commercial Investments from Tauhara North No.2 Trust, sharing insights and experience of the collaboration on the investment into Pioneer Energy. The consortium’s working relationships and local commitment were described as the ‘hot sauce’ that underpinned their partnership success. 

Dean Hegarty, Co-CEO of RIAA and I also discussed IIN’s formal integration with the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), as well as the IIN Advisory Committee, which was the Board's key focus in 2025. Justine Sefton, IIN Deputy Chair, also thanked and farewelled David Woods from the IIN Board. 

Looking ahead to 2026, with the integration into RIAA having taken place, including additional support structures and a refreshed and expanded IIN Advisory Committee, we look forward to sharing a revised work program and continuing our focus on connecting, educating and advocating for the impact investment sector. Thank you for your support over the year, and we look forward to reconnecting in the New Year. 

By Alastair Rhodes, IIN Chair.