Kiwibank is leading the way in LGBTQ+ inclusion in banking. express speaks to some of the bank’s employees who helped establish their PRIDE network and spearheaded their partnership with the Rainbow New Zealand Charitable Trust.
Since its inception in 2001, Kiwibank has been a trailblazer. A state-owned bank taking on foreign competitors, providing real competition and choice to New Zealand consumers.
Twenty-two years on, the Bank is now establishing itself as one of Aotearoa’s most LGBTQ+ inclusive financial institutions with its PRIDE network which aims to connect and enhance the working lives of Rainbow employees.
The network meets monthly to provide feedback and suggestions on how to ensure Kiwibank remains inclusive and supportive of queer employees. Jess Segal, who serves as the Senior Manager for Leadership Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the bank, told express the network’s main ethos is, “nothing about us without us!”
“This is what any inclusive employer should be doing to ensure their people are being heard – and we could make assumptions about what the Rainbow community needs but nothing beats the experience of people,” Segal tells us.
“The network enables people that are part of the Rainbow community to contribute to positive change at Kiwibank, empowering them to thrive.”
Hayley Beattie, who works as a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Consultant at the bank, said the PRIDE network has helped to make the bank “safer and more openminded.”
“I thought that Kiwibank was doing pretty well before we had the network, but once it was set up, we started making real change. There’s been more impact than I had ever anticipated!” Beattie told express.
“Kiwibank feels safer and more open-minded, and I feel like I’m supported to be able to contribute to that change through safe conversations.” – Hayley Beattie
The PRIDE network isn’t the only major contribution to the LGBTQ+ community that Kiwibank is making. The state-owned bank has recently teamed up with the Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust to create funding opportunities for Rainbow organisations to create a real difference for some of the least-heard voices in the community.
Ajay Chhibber, Senior Product Lead at Kiwibank, is also one of the board members of Indian Origin Pride NZ (IOPNZ) and tells us that his organisation has benefited greatly from the partnership.
Grants from the Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust have helped IOPNZ to create “a safe space for Rainbow Indians through social events and by providing peer-to-peer support group mentoring.”
“Through partnering with the Trust,” Segal tells us, “Kiwibank can contribute to work in Rainbow communities that we wouldn’t be able to do without the grant’s structure of the Trust. We know there are established groups (like the IOPNZ) who are in the best position to support their community, and enabling them through the funding of the Trust is where we can be of the most value and contribute to meaningful change.”
Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust’s Events Manager, Stephen Oates praises Kiwibank for their support of 2022’s inaugural Give Out Day, which raised money for a range of LGBTQ+ charities across the country and was run by the Trust.
Oates says that Kiwibank’s contributions allowed the first event to exceed expectations.
“Trying any new fundraising strategy can be nerve-wracking, especially when we know so many community organisations and students rely on our grants and scholarships to get by,” Oates tells express.
“Thanks to a select few businesses like Kiwibank who really walk the talk, we were able to raise over $57,000 at our first ever Give Out Day event,” he says, adding, “We are over the moon to have this great new partnership with such a stellar Kiwi company.”
For more information on Kiwibank, visit Kiwibank.co.nz and follow @KiwibankNZ on socials.
