Dr Sebastian Gehricke
on leadership in sustainable finance
Sustainability isn’t a policy for Dr Sebastian Gehricke – it’s a promise. A promise to his daughter. A promise to future generations. And a promise to Aotearoa.
A Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago and leader of the Climate and Energy Finance Group, Sebastian doesn’t just talk about sustainable finance – he’s shaping the field itself. He developed New Zealand’s first sustainable finance course six years ago and continues to guide some of the country’s brightest minds through Masters and PhD research. His work bridges academia and action, collaborating with industry, regulators, and Māori leaders to push decision-making beyond short-termism toward long-term, intergenerational impact.
His turning point came a decade ago, at the birth of his daughter, Aurelia. It was a moment of reorientation – from weightlifting to yoga, from consumption to conscious living. “From that day on, most of my decisions always came with the question: what would be best for my Aurelia?” It’s a guiding question that still shapes his research, teaching, and advocacy for systemic change.
But making change in the finance sector isn’t just about evidence and logic – it’s about relationships. “What I’ve learned is that solutions, no matter how good, need buy-in,” Sebastian shares. “And that only happens through trust, proximity, and honest dialogue.” He believes the key to engaging stakeholders lies in connection – sharing ideas humbly, over coffee or conversation, always with space for others to challenge, co-create, and shape solutions together.
He draws deep inspiration from Te Ao Māori – particularly its intergenerational lens and the emphasis on collective responsibility, stewardship, and care for whenua and whānau. Through mentoring students and collaborating on research around Indigenous investment frameworks, Sebastian has come to deeply appreciate the wisdom embedded in Mātauranga Māori. “There’s a depth and integrity in Māori investment thinking that centres the long-term wellbeing of people and planet – not just quarterly returns,” he reflects. “It’s not about extraction but about reciprocity – and that’s a lesson we all need to take seriously if we’re to chart a sustainable future.” Over the next 30 years, he hopes to support and amplify these voices, contributing to the development of investment approaches that honour both Indigenous knowledge and rigorous research, always with the goal of creating meaningful value, not simply extracting it.
When asked what gives Aotearoa a unique edge in the global sustainability conversation, Sebastian is quick to respond: “Our lifestyle, our biodiversity, our ability to connect to nature so readily – we live in one of the most incredible places on Earth.” But with that privilege, he notes, comes responsibility. “Too often we forget how lucky we are. But with that luck comes an obligation – to care, to protect, and to lead. We have all the ingredients to be a global leader in sustainable finance, regenerative business, and climate innovation. Now, it’s about the courage to act.” He believes Aotearoa can serve as a model for systems change, provided it leans into Indigenous leadership, community-driven action, and long-term thinking.
And if he could leave one message with the next generation of changemakers, it would be this: never underestimate your impact. “Your actions and choices are more powerful than you think,” he says. “Don’t let anyone convince you that you’re helpless or too small to make a difference. Whether it’s the food you buy, the conversations you start, or the way you invest your KiwiSaver – everything matters.” For those looking to take a first step, his advice is simple and tangible: start by looking at where your money is going. “Every New Zealander should be aware what their KiwiSaver is investing in: go to MindfulMoney.co.nz.”
Because for Sebastian, sustainability isn’t a far-off goal – it’s a daily practice. One conversation, one decision, and one choice at a time.
BLOOMING Sustainability Questionnaire
Name: Dr Sebastian Gehricke
Company & Title: University of Otago, Senior Lecturer
Websites & LinkedIn Profile:
* Guiding Values | Kaupapa
A quote, personal motto or whakataukī that reflects your vision:
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein
If you could mentor a rising change-maker in Aotearoa, what advice would you share?
I am fortunate enough to mentor many future and rising change makers through my role at the University. I have many opportunities to mentor our future finance leaders through creating and teaching New Zealand’s first Sustainable Finance course for the last 6 years and supervising some of the brightest students in their research (Masters and PhD).
In many ways I am still growing and learning into the role of being a leader and have had many mentors along the way to guide me on different aspects of this journey. My first mentor in research was Professor Jin Zhang. The person that enabled my transition from Mathematical Finance to Sustainable Finance was Professor Ivan Diaz-Rainey, with whom I launched the Climate and Energy Finance Group, 6 years ago, which I now lead. Most recently, I have had the luck of working with Professor Markus Leippold from the University of Zurich on several projects which will have great impacts and are really at the forefront of knowledge, giving me great purpose, energy and pride.
* Leading Change | Arataki
A key moment in your journey that shaped your path:
A key moment that shaped my path was the day my daughter was born 10 years ago. It was a time in my life when I was shifting from weightlifting (bro-lifting) to yoga, trying to minimize waste in our household (we got down to 1 bag over 3 months), growing food in planter boxed and just generally trying to love more consciously and sustainably. Having a daughter just accelerated all of that for me. From that day on most of my decisions always came with the question of “what would be best for my Aurelia”.
What’s the main challenge you face in driving sustainability within your sector?
I think the biggest challenge I face is learning how power and influence really operates. For a long time I focused on the best logical solutions to problems, be it with policy, data or approaches. Often the solutions seem quite simple and I would try to spread the message. What I have been learning recently is that even though many people, especially our leaders (public and private), state they are trying to address climate change, biodiversity loss and the myriad of other problems we face, they are constrained in the action and decisions they can take.
Making change is not just about logical and evidenced solutions, but rather about getting leaders to adopt them, which is much harder.
An area you need more support with:
I think relating to the above, I need the most support in getting in front of the right people, as I know in person, I can have constructive conversations and together, human to human, we may be able to improve our understanding and develop new solutions. These interactions often also teach me a lot and I can adapt my communication style and future research to help alleviate the real-world barriers faced by leaders and decision makers. I believe most people are of good nature and trying to do the right thing, but it is hard to help them at a distance.
An Indigenous perspective you admire and want people to be mindful of:
I have had the privilege of working with two students now, one Jamaican and one Māori, on research around indigenous (Māori) investment methodologies and have met many amazing leaders from Māori Businesses and Holding companies. I think, from what I have learned so far, there are so many insights from the regionally diverse perspectives of Te Ao Māori that can help improve investment and decision making in Aotearoa and Globally. In this research, the aim is always to provide some value, not just to extract knowledge, and I hope that over the next 30 years of my career I can provide some.
Most pertinent to the responsible investment space I think is the long-term intergenerational way of thinking, strategizing and decision making. I have long believed that short-termism is a major driver of many of our issues. The amazing Māori leaders I have had the fortune to interact with and get to know all have a strong focus, among a huge sense of duty and care for their people and whenua, and it is always extremely inspiring.
Your best approach for engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogue about ESG:
As I said above I think some of the most meaningful engagements have come over a meal, coffee or beer, as we are able to connect human to human. I have also had amazing experiences sharing research insights at workshops and practitioner conferences. I think the key is to always be humble and provide my thoughts, opinions or research results in a way that leaves space for others to comment or even oppose my views. This is how we can connect and really find solutions to the complex and ever-evolving problems.
What do you think is Aotearoa’s superpower in creating a sustainable future?
I think anyone living in Aotearoa is extremely lucky. The lifestyle, access to nature, diverse cultures, strong indigenous leadership and many other factors make this the best country in the world to live in. Many don’t know how fortunate they are, but as an immigrant and someone who travels fairly often, I know this is the best place in the world. Such a setting provides an opportunity for in the transition to a sustainable future and I really believe we have a responsibility to fulfill that potential.
With great privilege comes great responsibility.
* Surfing the Green Wave | Kakariki
Books, podcasts, courses or other resources that profoundly shaped your approach to sustainability
This is really hard as I take my information from so many different sources, and I don’t think I have come across any singular reference/source that covers everything. This is especially hard in the sustainable finance space, as everything is moving so fast. Every year I have to substantially update my teaching materials, unlike in more traditional courses.
One book I would recommend is the dictator’s handbook, not because it teaches about sustainability, but because it teaches about how power and influence works.
Events in Aotearoa or globally that you think are must-attend:
Plugging our own events:
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Our annual Assembly of Investment Chairs brings amazing thought leadership from different parts of New Zealand and the Globe to share knowledge and discuss future solutions, mainly targeted at investment decision makers from not-for-profits, community trusts and Iwi organizations.
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Our annual CEFGroup Sustainable Finance and Reporting Symposium brings together academics from around the world to discuss the latest research in this space.
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Although not purely focused on sustainability, I actually think the annual INFINZ conference is an amazing opportunity for change-makers. It is a place where you can have those human to human connections with some of the most influential leaders in New Zealand. They may not always be focused on sustainability, but they are extremely talented and have the means, and responsibility, to make meaningful change.
A sustainable initiative or project in Aotearoa that deserves more attention:
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Not Aoteroa, but it could fund projects here too: Frigg
If your work could plant one seed of change for the future, what would it be?
Your actions and choices are more powerful than you think, never let anyone convince you that you are helpless. Everyone can have a positive impact.
The leader(s) you endorse for a future edition of Blooming Sustainability:
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Manu Caddie
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Christina Hood
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Joe Hanita
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Barry Coates
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Sara Walton
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Ray O-Brian
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Amelia Sharman
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Steven Moe
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David Hall
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Annawati van Paddenburg
* One actionable takeaway for our readers to make a change today for a brighter tomorrow:
Every New Zealander should be aware what their KiwiSaver is investing in: go to MindfulMoney.co.nz