Comparing KiwiSaver providers?
Choosing a KiwiSaver provider isn’t just about last year’s rankings. It’s about what you pay, how you're invested, and whether you stay the course.
Kernel brings those together in one place: low fees, index funds, competitive performance, and an intuitive all-in-one platform.
Fees from 0.25%
Fees are one of the few things you can control, and over time they can make a meaningful difference to your balance.
Index funds, not hand-picked stocks
Kernel focuses on broad market exposure and transparency, rather than trying to outpick the market at a higher cost.
Strong 3-year fund performance
Kernel’s High Growth, Balanced and Cash Plus funds ranked strongly on 3-year returns in the latest Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey. (As always, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.)
Fees are certain. Returns aren't.
Every KiwiSaver provider will talk about performance. Fewer will talk clearly about cost. But fees are one of the only constants in investing and, over time, they can eat into your returns whether markets are up or down.
Kernel KiwiSaver fees start from 0.25% p.a., with no hidden extras.
View fees
Not all KiwiSaver providers invest the same way
Some providers take an active approach, aiming to outperform the market through manager decisions and fund selection. Others take a passive or index-based approach, aiming to track markets broadly at a lower cost. Neither approach guarantees outcomes. But it’s worth understanding what you’re paying for and whether it matches how you want your money invested.
Kernel uses index funds to keep investing clear, diversified, and cost-conscious.
Choosing a fund that fits with you
Most people start with one of our ready-made diversified funds, designed to match your timeframe and risk level in one simple choice.
But if you want more control, you can build your own custom KiwiSaver mix from our range of 27 index funds. Whether you want more exposure to clean energy, technology, or specific global markets, Kernel gives you the flexibility to build a plan that works for you.
You can stick with the basics, or get as specific as you like.
Performance talks, but strategy lasts.
Past performance doesn’t predict future returns. But for investors comparing KiwiSaver providers today, recent long-term results are still part of the picture. In the latest Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey, Kernel’s diversified funds ranked strongly on 3-year returns across key categories.
> Kernel High Growth Fund: 1st for 1 and 3-year returns
> Kernel Balanced Fund: 1st for 3-year returns
> Kernel Cash Plus Fund: 1st for 3-year returns
That means investors don’t necessarily have to choose between lower fees and competitive recent performance.
View full fund performance
See the latest return data across additional time periods, including full performance information for Kernel KiwiSaver funds.
If figures differ from the rankings shown above, that’s because they reflect different reporting periods.
How to compare KiwiSaver providers
If you’re comparing providers, look beyond a single year of returns. Start with the fundamentals that shape your long-term outcome:
> Total fees: Know what you’re paying, including any extra fund costs. Fees are one of the few things you can control, and they add up over time.
> How your money is invested: Understand the investment approach. Is it broad, diversified, and transparent, or more reliant on manager decisions?
> Risk & timeframe: Choose a fund that fits your goals, your timeframe, and how comfortable you are with market ups and downs.
> Visibility & control: Look for a provider that makes it easy to track your balance, check progress, and make changes when you need to.
The right provider is the one that gives you clarity across all four.
Why over 60,000 Kiwis are choosing Kernel
People switch to Kernel for a few simple reasons:
> Lower fees
> A clear index fund approach
> Strong recent fund performance
> A simple platform that's easy to manage.
For some people, that means switching for lower fees. For others, it’s about having more clarity around how their money is invested. For many, it’s both.
Kernel Wealth Limited is the manager and issuer of the Kernel KiwiSaver Plan and Kernel Funds scheme. The Product Disclosure Statements are available at Kernel Wealth.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Returns may vary over time and across investment timeframes. Investing involves risk, including the possibility of loss. Any information on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs.
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