NZ equity index exposure via KiwiSaver scheme funds
KiwiSaver scheme funds tracking NZ equity indices — NZX 50, NZX Top 10, NZ Top 50, NZ shares, NZ dividend.
General Information Only: This page provides factual data for comparison purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.Read our disclosure
Ranked by annual fee (lowest first)
| # | Fund | Scheme | Annual fee | 1y return | 5y avg | Fund size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kernel NZ Small & Mid Cap Opportunities Fund | Kernel | 0.25% | 11.94% | -1.93% | $45M |
| 2 | Kernel NZ 50 ESG Tilted Fund | Kernel | 0.25% | 4.98% | No 5-year average return figure held. Recorded fund start date 11 April 2022 is less than five years before March 2026. | $55M |
| 3 | Kernel NZ 20 Fund | Kernel | 0.25% | 3.01% | No 5-year average return figure held. Recorded fund start date 11 April 2022 is less than five years before March 2026. | $263M |
| 4 | InvestNow Mercer NZ Shares Passive Fund | FundRock | 0.36% | No 1-year return figure held for this fund. | No 5-year average return figure held for this fund. | $4M |
| 5 | NZ Bonds Fund | Smartshares | 0.54% | 3.39% | 1.77% | $38M |
| 6 | NZ Top 10 Fund | Smartshares | 0.59% | 6.71% | 0.91% | $4M |
| 7 | NZ Dividend Fund | Smartshares | 0.59% | 15.77% | 3.20% | $4M |
| 8 | NZ Top 50 Fund | Smartshares | 0.59% | 6.25% | 0.14% | $54M |
| 9 | NZ Mid Cap Fund | Smartshares | 0.59% | 9.16% | 0.76% | $7M |
| 10 | NZ Shares Fund | Smartshares | 0.59% | 6.29% | 0.16% | $25M |
| 11 | S&P/NZX 50 Fund | Smartshares | 0.69% | 4.29% | -0.22% | $5M |
| 12 | New Zealand Equities Fund | Kōura | 0.73% | No 1-year return figure held for this fund. | 2.31% | $51M |
| 13 | Summer New Zealand Equities | Summer | 0.90% | 7.49% | 1.98% | $19M |
| 14 | QuayStreet New Zealand Equity Fund | Smartshares | 1.37% | No 1-year return figure held for this fund. | 2.21% | $14M |
About “—” in return figures: it means no figure is held, not a return of zero. Of the 14 funds listed, 11 have a 1-year return and 11 have a 5-year average return. Figures are drawn from fund disclosures on the FMA Disclose register, chiefly quarterly fund updates. Each fund shows the most recent figure held, with 1-year returns up to June 2026; the latest quarter broadly covered across all funds is March 2026. A fund too new to report a period has no figure for it; other gaps are figures not yet captured from the updates ingested so far.
Funds matched by name pattern against the NZ equity index criteria. Annual-fee ranking is mechanical — does not factor in returns, risk, manager skill, or the precise underlying-index methodology. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest NZ equity index KiwiSaver scheme fund in NZ?
Based on the most recent FMA-filed Quarterly Fund Updates, the lowest-fee NZ equity index option in our coverage is Kernel — Kernel NZ Small & Mid Cap Opportunities Fund at 0.25% per year. Mechanical fee ranking only — does not factor in returns, risk, or manager skill. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
How many NZ equity index KiwiSaver scheme funds are available?
14 KiwiSaver scheme funds matching NZ equity index criteria across 5 schemes in our coverage, with annual fees from 0.25% to 1.37% (median 0.59%).
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Important Information
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. FundCompare.co.nz is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP).
We do not assess suitability, make recommendations, or provide personalised advice. The information shown is sourced from publicly available data and may not reflect current offerings. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Investment returns can be negative, and you may receive back less than you invested.
Before making any decisions: Always verify current information directly with the relevant KiwiSaver provider and read their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Need personalised advice? Consult a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Find advisers at fma.govt.nz
Compare every fund on the FMA Disclose register. Refreshed quarterly. Independent — FundCompare is not a Financial Advice Provider; general information only.
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The information provided on this website is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial products. Nothing on this website constitutes financial advice for the purposes of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. FundCompare.co.nz is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider.
Investing involves risk. The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you put in. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Before making any investment decision, you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the fund carefully. If you have questions or are unclear about the implications of your investment decision, you should seek advice from a licensed Financial Advice Provider.
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