Eight new Smartshares ETFs debut on the NZX today

6 June 2019 Eight new Smartshares ETFs debut on the NZX today Smartshares is proud to list eight new exchange traded funds (ETFs) on the NZX today. Smartshares has teamed up with BlackRock so New Zealanders can now invest in environmentally and socially responsible global equities, megatrends and passive global bonds for the first time. Smartshares CEO Hugh Stevens commented BlackRock is the leading issuer of ETFs globally and we are excited to work with them to provide New Zealand investors with new investment options. Smartshares investors were demanding access to environmentally and socially responsible investment options, so now is the right time to be doing this. We acknowledge and welcome all our initial investors in these ETFs. There has been a great response so far." NZX CEO Mark Peterson commented: "Congratulations to the teams at Smartshares and BlackRock. It is our long-term goal to offer investors progressive and diverse investment options and today's listings help achieve this." The all-new Smartshares ETFs ESG funds To satisfy the growing demand from New Zealand investors for socially responsible investment options, five new funds will provide international equity exposure to the US, European, Japanese, Emerging Markets and Global markets. Each fund screens-out environmentally or socially harmful activities: ? Smartshares Global Equities ESG ETF (NZX:ESG) ? Smartshares US Equities ESG ETF (NZX:USA) ? Smartshares Europe Equities ESG ETF (NZX:EUG) ? Smartshares Japan Equities ESG ETF (NZX:JPN) ? Smartshares Emerging Markets Equities ESG ETF (NZX:EMG) The screens exclude companies that engage in contentious activities, including controversial weapons, civilian firearms, nuclear weapons, thermal coal, nuclear power, tobacco, oil sands and companies that have failed UN Global Compact rulings. Megatrends funds Two ETFs in the new suite will invest into the robotics and automation, and healthcare 'Megatrends': ? Smartshares Automation and Robotics ETF (NZX:BOT) ? Smartshares Healthcare Innovation ETF (NZX:LIV) BlackRock describes 'Megatrends' as powerful, transformative forces that could change the global economy, business environment, and society. The Automation and Robotics ETF will give investors access to business areas including artificial intelligence and e-commerce logistics, while the Healthcare Innovation ETF will tap into areas such as personalised medicine and immunotherapy. Global bonds funds Smartshares will also offer a Global Aggregate Bond ETF hedged to the NZD, offering New Zealand investors with access to a passive fixed income exposure which tracks a benchmark containing over 24,000 different bonds globally: ? Smartshares Global Aggregate Bond ETF (NZX:AGG) How to invest Investors can invest directly in Smartshares ETFs at: www.smartshares.co. nz. The Smartshares Exchange Traded Funds are issued by Smartshares Limited. The Product Disclosure Statement is available at: www.smartshares.co.nz About Smartshares Smartshares is the pioneer of ETFs in New Zealand, launching the first ETF (the NZ Top 10 Fund - TNZ) in 1996. Smartshares is New Zealand's only issuer of ETFs listed on the NZX Main Board, and across six registered schemes manages over $3.2 billion on behalf of more than 70,000 investors. Smartshares offers access to a comprehensive selection of global and domestic ETFs across the main investment asset classes of cash, bonds, shares and property. Funds are listed on the NZX so you can buy or sell them just like individual shares. About BlackRock BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of 31 March 2019, the firm managed approximately US$6.52 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. About iShares iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 800+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$1.9 trillion in assets under management as of 31 March 2019, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm. For further information please contact Hannah Lynch M: 021 252 8990 E: hannah.lynch@nzx.com End CA:00335577 For:USA Type:MKTUPDTE Time:2019-06-06 08:30:47