Evaluating KiwiSaver Providers

KiwiSaver providers are the organisations taking care of your KiwiSaver investments. They decide where to place your money—whether in stocks, bonds, or property—to help it grow over time. Their goal is to make smart choices to increase your savings while managing risks.

With more than 30 KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand, choosing the right one can be challenging, especially when each has its own strengths and unique approach. We’ve outlined the key factors that are important to consider when choosing who to invest your savings with.

Reputation

Start by asking around. Chat with friends, family, and colleagues about their KiwiSaver experiences. Their feedback can be invaluable. Also, check out Consumer NZ’s annual KiwiSaver Survey. It provides an unbiased look at various providers based on customer satisfaction, not just performance. Reputation isn’t just about the numbers; it’s also about how well a provider communicates and supports its clients.

The Investment Team

Get to know who’s managing your money. Look into the investment team behind the KiwiSaver provider. Many providers have their own in-house teams, while others might outsource to big names like BlackRock. We recommend considering providers who manage investments in-house. They’re usually more invested in the long-term success of your KiwiSaver.

Internal Culture

Culture matters—a lot! Just like how team spirit influences sports teams like the All Blacks, the internal culture of a KiwiSaver provider can affect how well your investments perform. A positive, collaborative environment often translates to better outcomes. Some KiwiSaver providers even ask their staff to invest their own KiwiSaver funds with the company. This means their employees have a personal stake in the performance of the fund, aligning their interests with yours. To get a feel for a provider’s culture, give them a call and chat with their team. Their staff should be able to easily comment on the culture since they are a part of it.

New Zealand Owned & Operated

Several top KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand are proudly owned and operated right here at home. This means your hard-earned KiwiSaver funds are managed by people who understand the local market and live where you do.

Having administration and service teams based in New Zealand is also a big plus. Many of us have felt the frustration of dealing with overseas call centres from big banks and insurance companies. There’s real value in picking up the phone and speaking with someone based right here in New Zealand. It makes a difference when you can communicate with a local who understands your needs.