Trust in financial advice is shifting toward transparency and accessibility. Discover how hybrid models combine digital tools with genuine human advocacy.

Trust is moving: the future of hybrid advice

South Korea's AI-driven stock rally highlights why global diversification matters beyond the Magnificent 7, balancing outsized gains with concentration risk.

The Magnificent 7 may get the headlines. But another market has been winning the race - and it doesn’t have a US passport

KiwiSaver has made New Zealanders savers. The next challenge is helping retirees turn their growing balances into sustainable income with confidence.

From Saving to Spending: New Zealand's Next Retirement Challenge

Choose the right core global index fund for portfolio building with this guide to Kernel’s Global 100, Global ESG, World ex-US, and Total World funds. Learn the differences in diversification, US exposure, and sustainability for NZ investors.

How you can build a portfolio with Kernel's Global 100, Global ESG, World ex-US, and Total World funds.

Choosing Between Core Global Equities at Kernel

We're unpacking why the broader evidence in listed equities is pretty consistent: after fees, the hit rate for sustained outperformance tends to fall as the horizon extends.

Why beating the Index in Equities is So Hard

New Zealand’s KiwiSaver contributions will rise to 4% by 2028, significantly boosting retirement wealth. 

Data Driven look at the impact of upcoming KiwiSaver contribution increases 

By combining core building blocks with thoughtful diversifiers, advisers can position client portfolios to weather market noise rather than reacting to it.

Four Ways Portfolios are Responding to Market Volatility

Is your investment portfolio tax-efficient? Explore the advantages of PIE structures, understand FIF rules, and use our checklist to keep more of your returns.

Building a Tax-Efficient Investment Portfolio in NZ

The final Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey for 2025 has been released, and the results offer a great opportunity to check in on how Kernel’s diversified funds are performing for our members. 

The final Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey for 2025 has been released, and the results offer a great opportunity to check in on how Kernel’s diversified funds are performing. 

Morningstar December 2025 Quarter Results – a strong result for Kernel members 

We sat down with Fixed Income Portfolio Manager Matt Winton for a Q&A session around all things Fixed Interest

Beyond Passive: Navigating NZ Fixed Income with Kernel Portfolio Manager Matt Winton

We sat down with Dean to get his thoughts on the current KiwiSaver settings and explore what can be done to improve financial outcomes for all New Zealanders.

The Future of KiwiSaver: A Q&A with Dean Anderson

Discover why diversifying beyond US equities may be the essential hedge your portfolio needs against rising protectionism and concentrated "Trump risk" in 2026.

A Look Beyond the US

New Zealand small and mid-cap equities are back on the radar, and the case for allocating more capital to smaller listed companies is stronger than it's been in years.

Small and Mid-Caps: Why Now, Why NZ and Why Index Funds

Money will always involve maths, but the real skill is making those numbers meaningful.

Empathy is the New Expertise

A fireside chat with Michael Kobori reinforced a core belief: strip away politics and climate is orthodox value creation—better revenues, lower costs, and lower risk

Climate Integration that Serves Client Outcomes

Tax Associate, Katrina Scorrar helps us to explain some of the specific cases where tax can make a difference to investment decisions. 

When tax matters

Discover why Emerging Markets should be included as a core component of Global Portfolios

Emerging Markets: A Component for Global Portfolios

Why there may be cracks in US exceptionalism and how global diversification can reduce concentration risk. 

Beyond the US: Why Now Is the Time to Diversify Globally

 In this blog we delve into the rationale and process behind our comprehensive SAA review of Kernel's diversified funds. 

Why We've Reviewed Kernel's Strategic Asset Allocation

This blog unpacks the unique roles that Australian and New Zealand (AUNZ) equities play in a global portfolio, and what that means for your investment strategy.

How Do Australian and New Zealand Equities Fit Within a Global Equity Portfolio

What are the biggest inheritance blunders that wealthy families worry about and how can you help clients avoid them. 

What Keeps Wealthy Families Up at Night?

As Term Deposit Rates continue to fall Kiwi investors may be wise to rethink how short term funds are put to work.

Smart Moves For Short Term Money

The Depositor Compensation Scheme is officially live, offering up to $100,000 protection for each eligible depositor, per institution. 

The Depositor Compensation Scheme: What Advisers Need to Know

The Inland Revenue has released new guidance and signalled upcoming changes that are highly relevant for advisers with clients investing in Kernel’s PIE funds and global index products. Here’s what you need to know:

The Inland Revenue has released new guidance and signalled upcoming changes that are highly relevant for advisers using Kernel’s PIE funds and global index products:

2025 Tax Guidance: What Advisers Need to Know

See how fees can impact the overall return of a $10,000 investment over time. Using the example below, the difference a fee of 0.25% vs 1.15% will have on a $10,000 portfolio invested for 20 years is over $7000 or a 20% difference in return.

See how fees can impact the overall return of a $10,000 investment over time.

Kernel KiwiSaver Adviser Solution

Yesterday the US Federal Reserve cut the Fed Fund rate by 0.50%, which was on the higher end of market expectations. Read more to find out the potential impact on NZ markets.

Yesterday the US Federal Reserve cut the Fed Fund rate by 0.50%, which was on the higher end of market expectations. Read more to find the potential impact on NZ markets.

US Federal Reserve Cuts Rate by 50bp to 5%

We explore why Listed REITs and Listed Infrastructure are well suited for the current economic climate and how their characteristics make them valuable assets for any portfolio.

Portfolio Construction: Infrastructure vs Property vs Equities 

Target maturity bond funds are an interesting alternative to direct bond investments or term deposits. Find out why in our blog. 

How Target Maturity Bond Funds Are Changing The Game 

In the third part of our series on dividends, we delve into the effectiveness of dividend investing for long-term wealth. We compare the outcomes of cashing out dividends versus reinvesting them to understand the best approach for maximizing returns.

In the third part of our series on dividends, we compare the outcomes of cashing out dividends versus reinvesting them to understand the best approach for maximizing returns.

Dividends vs Portfolio Drawdown : Part 3

Wondering whether you should invest in the NZ 50 Fund or the NZ 20 Fund? Find out why the NZ20 is our index fund of choice in our blog.

The NZ 20 vs NZ 50

Our latest rebalance highlights adjustments in the NZ20 fund, with Infratil's capital raise impacting its weighting. Learn more notable changes in our latest blog.

Our latest rebalance highlights significant adjustments in the NZ20 fund, with Infratil's capital raise impacting its weighting. Learn more notable changes in our latest blog.

Latest Index Fund Rebalancing: June 2024

Dividend growth strategies have become increasingly popular among retail investors due to the appeal of passive income. But is this strategy great for building long term wealth?

Is Investing for Dividends Bad for Long Term Wealth? Part 2

Everyone loves a dividend. Getting paid simply by owning shares in a company feels good. But is it ultimately the best outcome for you or the company to do so?

Should Companies Pay High Dividends? Part 1

In a matter of days, many of New Zealand's trusts will face a change that's set to increase their annual tax rate by a whopping 18%. This shift, impacting nearly 50,000 trusts, is tabled to hit with the new financial year starting April 1, 2024.

In a matter of days, many of New Zealand's trusts will face a change that's set to increase their annual tax rate by a whopping 18%. Find out what this can mean for you.

The Incoming Trust Tax Wave: How PIEs Can Be Lifesavers for NZ Trusts

AI is coming, tax policy changes and boring investing is back  - find out what these themes can mean for investors in 2024.

Market Update: AI is Coming, Tax Policy Changes and Boring Investing is Back  



Looking at the example of a Cash Fund, we lay out how an investor should consider multiple factors when structuring and selecting their investments.

The PIE is Growing

A lot has been happening around the world recently - rising bonds, an nz election and more. Find out what this means for you as an investor. 

Market Update: Rising Bond Yields, NZ Election Impact and Cash is Still King

Kernel CE Dean Anderson shares his thoughts on the latest insights from the FMA's 2023 Annual KiwiSaver Report. 

KiwiSaver: The Good, The Bad and The Lessons

Global equity funds can provide a simple, convenient and cost-effective way to invest by allowing investors to indirectly own a small part of large international companies.

Diversifying With Purpose: The Role Of Global Equity Index Funds 

In today's episode of Ask Kernel, we chat to Craig Lazzara about what SPIVA is. Haven't heard of it? Well you better press play!

Have you heard of the concept SPIVA but not quite sure what it entails? We dive into how SPIVA is used to evaluate the effectiveness of active management strategies.

What is SPIVA?

The Kernel Global ESG Fund is a globally diversified index fund aligned with the objectives of the 2016 Paris Agreement, with customer requested ESG considerations. Read to find out more.  

The Kernel Global ESG Fund is a globally diversified index fund aligned with the objectives of the 2016 Paris Agreement, with ESG considerations. Read to find out more.

Introducing the Kernel Global ESG Fund, a Paris Aligned index fund

Want to improve your financial situation but not sure where to start? Check out the Kernel guide to prioritising your financial goals.

Want to improve your financial situation but not sure how where to start? Check out the Kernel guide to prioritising your financial goals.

How to Prioritise Your Financial Goals

Two professionals doing work in the office

At what point do you need a financial adviser? Is continuing to take the DIY investing approach a good idea? Find out in our blog. 

In recent years there has been an explosion in DIY investing, supported by the birth of user-friendly, low-cost, investment platforms.

DIY Investing vs Financial Advisors: When, Why, How?

Wondering where to start with engaging a financial adviser or looking to change things up? We explain where and how to start your search.

A Financial Adviser’s Worth: When and How to Work With One

Often the S&P 500 index or ETF can be a go-to for many NZ investors, but is it the most suitable investment option? Find out in our blog.

Often the S&P 500 index or ETF can be a go-to for many NZ investors, but is it the most suitable investment option? 

S&P 500 vs S&P Global 100: Which Should I Invest In?

With growing demand for ESG funds both in NZ and globally, we're proud to introduce Kernel's sustainable fund series. Find out more.

With growing demand for ESG funds both in NZ and globally, we're proud to introduce Kernel's sustainable fund series.

Getting to know Kernel’s Sustainable Funds

Scratching your head thinking about tax and investing? Our simple, easy to read beginners guide makes tax and investing easy. 

A Beginners Guide to Tax and Investing

There are hundreds of indices and many different funds available, so how do you choose the right index fund? Follow these 7 simple tips.

7 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Index Fund

Our range of financial resources can support you or your clients' financial journey, whatever the investment strategy. 

Finance professionals

Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

Any information we provide is general only and current at the time of writing.

Kernel Wealth Limited (Kernel) is the issuer and manager of the Kernel Scheme. 

 for the Product Disclosure Statement. Past performance is not an indicator of future returns.

All returns are exclusive of tax. As PIE tax and withholding tax on interest earnt depend on personal factors, it would be confusing to include and unlikely to change the outcome. We have used the NZX50 gross index daily price series, where all dividends were reinvested on ex-date, exclusive of fees. Fees would have a negligible impact on the relative outcome of the different strategies.

Savings were made every Thursday for weeks in a row with investments made at market close. The 90 day bank bill rate was used for illustrative purposes, in reality cash savings account rates vary periodically. Past performance is no indicator of future performance for any investment. This article does not constitute financial advice, as your personal circumstances have not been taken into account.

 There are alternatives available for individual investors, including comparable value and de minimis exceptions but the hassle and associated cost likely outweighs the benefit achieved for most investors. Any NZ fund manager only has the FDR option. 28% is the PIR rate for those earning over $48,000, but if individually investing in companies the rate is up to 39%. Please note this is not tax advice as we are not a tax accounting firm and we don’t know your situation.

Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned investor, here you can find everything you need to know about investing in the share markets.

Investing

Keen to save smarter for what matters today and tomorrow? Here you can learn the ins and outs of budgeting, saving and money management.

Saving

KiwiSaver can be a great tool to use on your road to a financially secure retirement. So, here is everything that you need to know to be able to get the most of your KiwiSaver.

KiwiSaver

An easily complicated topic, we simply explain how tax impacts your investments.

Set your kids up for a financially secure future. Teach them the foundations of money and investing all while learning more yourself. 

Finance professionals

Trust is moving: the future of hybrid advice

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