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What’s on offer

KiwiSaver

Find a KiwiSaver fund that suits you best, or see how your current one stacks up.

KiwiSaver and managed funds

KiwiSaver

KiwiSaver is a voluntary way to invest for your retirement or buy your first home. There are several benefits, including a contribution from the government. If you're just getting started with KiwiSaver, watch this.

KiwiSaver members invest in funds. KiwiSaver funds are a type of managed fund, but since they have specific rules on how they work, they need to be compared separately. For more on how KiwiSaver funds are different from other managed funds, try this.

Managed funds

Investing beyond KiwiSaver? Find funds that will get you to your goals.

KiwiSaver and managed funds

Managed funds

In a managed fund, your money is pooled with that of other investors. A fund manager chooses how the money is invested, typically spreading it across different kinds of investments such as cash, bonds, property and shares. The specific mix of these investments in a fund drives your results.

Each investor owns a portion of the total fund, typically measured in units. The value of those units fluctuates each day, which pushes your balance up and down. Here's more on the basics of managed funds.

Some other managed investments do not fit the above categories. You'll find them here.

Bonds

Looking for investments that generate income? Find fixed-interest options here.

Compare bonds

and other debt securities

Bonds

A bond is a bit like a term deposit at a bank, but it's effectively a loan you make to a company or government which they promise to pay back in full on a specific date. Until then, you receive regular interest at a fixed or agreed rate.

A city, for example, may issue bonds to raise money to build a bridge and pay an agreed amount of interest until the bonds' "maturity date". If you want your money back before the maturity date, you can sell your bond on a secondary market, or you can buy a bond on that market from others.

Bonds are income assets and can also be called "fixed interest". Here's more on the basics of bonds. This site features regulated bond offers, including more complex "debt securities".

Shares

Investing for growth? Explore these equity offers and pick shares directly.

Compare shares

and other equity securities

Shares

When you buy shares in a company, you become part owner of that company. This site features a small number of regulated share offers.

Your return (the money you get back from investing) comes from your share of the profits (regular dividend payments) or from you selling the shares for more than you initially paid for them (capital growth).

Shares are a type of growth asset, and are also known as equities or stock. Here's more on the basics of shares.

Smart Investor features shares and bonds regulated in New Zealand that are being offered for the first time. It may not include: those that aren't required to disclose fully (like crowdfunding or wholesale offers), or listed shares and bonds that investors trade on an exchange like the NZX. See those exchanges for information (such as current trading prices).

Looking for other kinds of investments?

Sorted Smart Investor covers New Zealand-regulated investment offers: KiwiSaver and other managed funds, bonds and other debt securities, and shares and other equities. It also includes other managed investments that do not fit those categories, which are here (Managed Investment Products).

Other kinds of investments, although they may be regulated, are not included, unless they are within the mix held by a managed fund (which can hold property, for instance). You won't find the following:

  • Superannuation and workplace savings schemes
  • Cash or term deposits
  • Some shares or bonds that were previously listed, and some not listed
  • Property or property syndicates
  • Derivatives
  • Overseas-regulated investments
  • Privately held businesses or startups
  • Gold or other commodities
  • Currencies or cryptocurrencies

Here's more on alternative investments.

Comparing different sorts of investments

Smart Investor is set up to compare "apples with apples" by grouping, for example, all KiwiSaver funds together (and even by the specific type of fund). Managed funds, shares, bonds – they are all in their own baskets.

That means you can't really compare "apples with pineapples" side by side, such as a share with a bond, for instance. However, you can learn how each of these kinds of investments work to compare them from more of a high-level view. Smart Investor allows you to see the varying degrees of risk each kind brings as you seek returns (the money you get back from investing). 

Here's where to find Smart Investor guides to start.