Smarter Kiwisaver & Investments

KiwiSaver is a voluntary, work‑based retirement savings scheme designed to help New Zealanders build long‑term wealth. It’s a managed fund, meaning your money is pooled with other investors and invested across different asset classes.

NZ citizens or people entitled to live in NZ indefinitely You can be any age You’ll be automatically enrolled when starting a new job (unless exempt), or you can join directly through a provider.

Employees can contribute 3%, 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% of their salary. If you’re not working, you can make voluntary contributions directly to your provider. As at the 1st of April the minimum contribution by employees and employers increases to 3.5%

Yes. If you’re eligible, your employer must contribute at least 3% of your gross salary to your KiwiSaver account.

Eligible members receive: Annual Government Contribution (up to $521.43 per year) First Home Grant (if income and house-price caps are met) First Home Withdrawal option

Yes. You can withdraw most of your balance (leaving at least $1,000) to buy your first home or land to build on. Government grants may also apply.

You can withdraw: At 65 (standard retirement age) For a first home Under significant financial hardship If you permanently emigrate (with restrictions) For serious illness

The right fund depends on: Your time frame (when you’ll need the money) Your goal (first home vs retirement) Your risk tolerance (comfort with ups and downs) Growth funds generally offer higher long‑term returns but more short‑term volatility; conservative funds offer stability but lower growth.

Depending on where you are in your journey to retirement, different fund types will suit your situation.The typical funds are Conservative, Balanced and Growth. Fund providers have their own language and many more funds than just three. You can go with their defaults or you can customise to suit your actual needs. Understanding the different considerations for what fund you should consider from a risk and return perspective based on your need to access the funds is a critical factor in your retirement fund choice.Conservative funds are good if you plan on using your KiwiSaver savings fairly soon, for example if you are planning to retire or buy a first home. These funds are low risk, so you’ll have a stable KiwiSaver balance and you can be confident your funds will be there when you need them.Balanced funds have slightly more risk than conservative; they invest in a combination of income and growth assets, aiming to provide moderate to high returns. This is a good option if you want to maximise your returns, but are worried about market fluctuations and don’t sleep well with high risk investments.Growth funds are great for those of us who don’t tend to worry about account balances! Your balance will go up and down more than in the other funds, with the potential for a much greater increase… but with the risk that goes alongside that! If you aren’t planning on accessing your KiwiSaver savings for many years, and the idea of a high growth account gives you a thrill (and doesn’t send you into a panic), this is a great option.Fund fees are charged by each KiwiSaver provider, and they all have their own calculations on how these are worked out. Some providers have a monthly admin fee for managing your KiwiSaver. Typically, higher-risk funds will have higher fees.Fund returns can be positive or negative depending on the market, and the higher the risk the greater the fluctuation. The lower the risk the smoother the ride, so conservative fund gains won’t be so great… but there’s also little chance of a significant drop in your funds. Higher-risk funds have more potential to dramatically change, in either direction! Various factors can affect returns – such as pandemics, war, and financial market crashes.

Choosing the right provider depends on your goals, values, and risk tolerance. It’s my role to work through these with you to find the best fund.  Key factors to compare include: Fees: Lower fees can significantly increase your long‑term balance. Even a 0.5% difference compounds over decades. Long‑term performance: Look at 3-5 year plus returns for the same fund type (e.g., growth vs growth). Avoid choosing based on short‑term performance alone. Investment philosophy & ethics: Some providers focus on ethical or sustainable investing, while others prioritise active management or low‑cost index strategies. Service & tools: Consider the quality of their app, reporting, communication, and access to advice. Fund type suitability: Make sure the provider offers the fund type that matches your timeframe and risk profile.

Yes - you have control through your choice of provider and fund type. Each provider has its own investment approach, asset mix, and ethical screens. By switching funds or providers, you can align your KiwiSaver with your values (e.g., avoiding fossil fuels or weapons) or your preferred investment strategy (e.g., growth vs conservative).

Your PIR is the tax rate applied to your KiwiSaver investment earnings. It depends on your income over the last two years.

Yes. You can contribute lump sums or set up automatic payments directly with your provider. These contributions generally cannot be withdrawn until retirement or under special circumstances.

Mostly, yes. KiwiSaver is designed for long‑term savings, so access is limited to retirement or specific withdrawal conditions.

Because choosing the wrong fund, PIR, or contribution level can cost thousands over time. I can help you: Match your fund to your goals Optimise contributions Understand risk Plan for retirement or a first home

Yes. Switching KiwiSaver providers is completely free and usually takes 10–20 business days. You don’t need to notify your old provider; I handle the entire transfer process for you

No, reviewing or switching your KiwiSaver is free. I don’t charge a fee to assess your account, switch funds, or transfer to another provider.