Sustainability and financial wellbeing specialist to steer BNZ Foundation’s next growth phase
BNZ has appointed sustainability and philanthropy specialist Gerri Ward as head of the BNZ Foundation, signalling a stronger push into environmental regeneration and financial wellbeing programmes that ultimately shape the communities where mortgage advisers’ clients live and work.
The BNZ Foundation, launched in 2022, backs organisations focused on New Zealand’s natural environment, biodiversity, and financial capability.
That focus comes as the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2026 report shows ongoing financial stress, especially for lower‑income households, while the Parliamentary Library’s March 2026 Monthly Economic Review notes households now spend about $22.30 of every $100 of disposable income on housing costs.
Experienced impact leader steps into new role
Ward brings more than two decades of experience across government, corporate, and philanthropic roles, with a focus on climate, sustainability, and helping organisations deliver “meaningful change”.
She has held senior positions at EY, Z Energy, and Oxygen Consulting, and worked at the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Conservation.
BNZ Foundation trustee Simon Kwan said Ward joins at a pivotal time.
“Since launching in 2022, the BNZ Foundation has supported organisations working to regenerate Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural environment and biodiversity and improve financial wellbeing,” Kwan said in a media release.
The foundation’s partners to date include Live Ocean, The Nature Conservancy, Revive Our Gulf and Thriving Communities Aotearoa.
“As we look to what comes next, Gerri brings the leadership, experience, and judgement to help build on that work and grow our impact,” Kwan said, adding that “Gerri knows how to bring together the right people and has the expertise and ideas to turn ambition into action.”
Focus on regeneration and financial wellbeing
Over the past year, Ward has advised a collective of funders on a coordinated giving strategy to restore the mauri of the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana and supported the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy on pathways into entrepreneurship for young people. Most recently, she has been programme director of the Recloaking Papatūānuku initiative with WWF New Zealand.
Ward said existing collaboration with the BNZ Foundation helped shape her decision to take on the role.
“That work has given me a deep appreciation of the BNZ Foundation’s aspirations, its commitment to measurable impact, and its willingness to engage deeply with communities, experts, and iwi to understand what enduring and sustainable change requires,” she said.
She will commence as head of the BNZ Foundation on 27 April.
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