Question 1

Where does Kāhu get its KiwiSaver fund data?

Accepted Answer

Our fund data is built from the official information KiwiSaver providers are legally required to publish. The core source is the Disclose Register, the New Zealand Government register of managed investment schemes run by the Companies Office under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. Providers lodge a quarterly fund update and a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for every fund, covering returns, fees, asset mix, and risk. Kāhu draws on that disclosed data so you're comparing funds on the same official basis a regulator uses.

Question 2

What is the Disclose Register?

Accepted Answer

The Disclose Register (disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz) is the Government register where every KiwiSaver and managed fund must lodge its offer documents and ongoing fund updates. It's the single authoritative source of standardised fund data in New Zealand — the same data behind the FMA's consolidated fund datasets and Sorted's Smart Investor tool. Using it means Kāhu's comparison reflects what providers have formally disclosed, not figures chosen for advertising.

Question 3

How often is the fund data updated?

Accepted Answer

Providers lodge fund updates each quarter, and these are typically published on the Disclose Register around 35 to 45 working days after the quarter ends. Kāhu refreshes its dataset against these disclosures so the returns, fees, and fund details you compare stay aligned with the latest official figures. Because reported data lags the quarter, the most recent few weeks of market movement won't yet be reflected.

Question 4

How many funds does Kāhu compare?

Accepted Answer

Kāhu scans 300+ KiwiSaver funds across providers — effectively the full market, not a shortlist of partners. That breadth matters: many people only ever see the funds offered by their own provider, so comparing across the whole market is where most of the difference in fees and fit shows up.

Question 5

Does Kāhu guarantee the data is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Fund managers are responsible for the accuracy of the data they disclose, and the FMA itself notes it doesn't certify the completeness of provider-submitted data. Kāhu presents that disclosed information clearly and consistently, but it isn't a substitute for a fund's own PDS. Before you decide, it's always worth reading the fund's current Product Disclosure Statement, which you can find on the provider's site or the Disclose Register.

Question 6

How does Kāhu compare KiwiSaver fees?

Accepted Answer

We compare funds on their disclosed total management and administration charges, shown as a percentage of the fund's net asset value (NAV) — the standard, like-for-like fee measure used in KiwiSaver fund updates. Because every provider reports this the same way under the Financial Markets Conduct Regulations, it lets you line funds up fairly rather than comparing one provider's headline rate against another's.

Question 7

What's actually included in a fund's fee?

Accepted Answer

The total management and administration charge captures the manager's basic fee plus other administration costs, and it also includes the fees of any underlying funds your fund invests into — so a low headline rate that hides expensive underlying funds still shows up. Performance-based fees are disclosed separately, and any flat membership or admin fee a provider charges is listed on top. Kāhu surfaces these so you can see the real cost, not just the advertised one.

Question 8

Why do small fee differences matter so much?

Accepted Answer

KiwiSaver is a decades-long investment, so fees compound. A difference of even half a percent a year, charged on a growing balance over 30 or 40 years, can add up to tens of thousands of dollars by retirement. That's why fees are one of the first things Kāhu helps you compare — they're largely within your control, unlike future market returns.

Question 9

Are the returns shown before or after fees?

Accepted Answer

Disclosed KiwiSaver returns are shown after the fund's annual fees, which is the basis Kāhu uses so you're comparing what investors actually keep. Official figures are also reported both before and after tax; your own after-tax return depends on your Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR). Past returns are never a guarantee of future performance — they're context, not a promise.

Question 10

Does a higher fee mean a better fund?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. Some actively managed funds charge more in pursuit of higher returns, while low-cost index funds keep fees down by tracking the market. Higher fees don't reliably buy higher returns, so the useful question is whether a fund's approach and track record justify its cost. Kāhu shows fees alongside returns and risk so you can weigh them together rather than in isolation.

Question 11

What are the KiwiSaver risk profiles?

Accepted Answer

KiwiSaver funds are generally grouped into five risk profiles: Defensive, Conservative, Balanced, Growth, and Aggressive. The difference comes down to the mix between 'growth' assets (like shares and property, which can rise and fall sharply) and 'income' assets (like cash and bonds, which are steadier but lower-returning over time). The more a fund holds in growth assets, the higher its risk profile.

Question 12

What's the difference between Defensive and Conservative funds?

Accepted Answer

Both sit at the lower-risk end and hold mostly income assets like cash and bonds. Defensive funds carry the smallest exposure to shares, aiming for stability and small ups and downs — suited to very short timeframes or people who most want to protect what they've put in. Conservative funds take slightly more growth-asset exposure for modestly higher expected returns, while still prioritising steadiness over big swings.

Question 13

What is a Balanced fund?

Accepted Answer

A Balanced fund sits in the middle, splitting fairly evenly between growth assets and income assets. It aims for a moderate return over the medium-to-long term while smoothing out some of the bigger ups and downs of a higher-risk fund. It's often a fit for people with a medium timeframe, or those who want meaningful long-term growth without the largest swings.

Question 14

What are Growth and Aggressive funds?

Accepted Answer

Growth and Aggressive funds hold mostly growth assets — predominantly shares — so they aim for the highest returns over the long term but come with the biggest ups and downs along the way. An Aggressive fund pushes that growth-asset weighting close to its maximum. They generally suit people with a long time horizon (often 10+ years) who can stay invested through market falls without needing the money soon.

Question 15

Which risk profile is right for me?

Accepted Answer

It comes down to two things: your timeframe (when you'll need the money — retirement, a first home, or sooner) and how comfortable you are with your balance falling in a bad year. Generally, a longer timeframe allows more growth-asset exposure, while money you need soon usually belongs in a lower-risk fund. Kāhu lets you compare funds within each risk profile, but choosing your profile is your decision — for advice tailored to your situation, speak with a financial adviser.

Question 16

Does higher risk always mean higher returns?

Accepted Answer

Higher-risk funds have historically delivered higher returns over long periods, but it isn't guaranteed and it isn't smooth. 'Higher risk' literally means a wider range of outcomes, including larger falls in any given year. The trade-off only tends to pay off if you can stay invested long enough to ride out the downs — which is why timeframe matters as much as appetite.

Question 17

How does switching KiwiSaver providers work?

Accepted Answer

You can change your KiwiSaver provider at any time, and you can only belong to one scheme at a time. To switch, you apply directly to the provider you want to join — your new provider then arranges the transfer of your savings from your old scheme and confirms once it's done. According to IRD, the transfer usually takes about two to three weeks. Kāhu helps you compare the market beforehand and can handle the paperwork with the new provider.

Question 18

Can I just change funds without changing providers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you're happy with your provider but in the wrong fund for your goals, you can usually switch to a different fund within the same scheme — for example moving from a Conservative to a Growth fund. That's often the simplest change. Kāhu helps you see how your current fund compares to others on returns, fees, and risk so you can decide whether to switch funds, switch providers, or stay put.

Question 19

Does switching cost anything?

Accepted Answer

There's no penalty or lock-in for switching KiwiSaver funds, and Kāhu doesn't charge you to help. Some providers may apply a small transfer or membership fee, so it's worth checking with your current provider before you move. Kāhu doesn't sell its own KiwiSaver funds, so there's no product being pushed behind the scenes.

Question 20

Will I lose money if I switch?

Accepted Answer

Switching doesn't cash out your savings — your existing balance and future contributions move into the new fund and stay invested throughout. As with any investment, fund values still rise and fall with markets, and past performance isn't a guide to future returns. The main thing to be mindful of is switching to a very different risk profile at the wrong time for your timeframe.

Question 21

Is Kāhu a licensed Financial Advice Provider?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Kāhu is a product of Financial Advice NZ Limited (FSP1009051), a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP). In New Zealand, anyone who provides regulated financial advice to retail clients must operate under a FAP licence issued by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) under the Financial Markets Conduct Act. Operating under a licensed FAP means Kāhu is held to the standards and conduct obligations of that regime.

Question 22

Does Kāhu give me financial advice?

Accepted Answer

Kāhu is an information-only service. We help you compare 300+ KiwiSaver funds clearly and independently so you can make your own decision — we don't provide personalised financial advice or recommend a specific fund for your circumstances. If you'd like advice tailored to your full situation, you can speak with a licensed financial adviser.

Question 23

What does 'licensed Financial Advice Provider' actually mean?

Accepted Answer

It means the FMA has assessed and licensed the provider to operate under New Zealand's financial advice regime. That regime sets standards for competence, conduct, and putting clients' interests first when regulated advice is given. It's the same licensing framework that governs financial advisers across the country — a signal that Kāhu operates inside a regulated, accountable structure rather than outside it.

Question 24

How does Kāhu make money if comparing funds is free?

Accepted Answer

Comparing funds and building a shortlist on Kāhu is free, and we're not a fund manager — we don't sell KiwiSaver products. Because we don't earn commission for steering you into a particular provider's fund, the comparison reflects the disclosed evidence on performance, fees, risk, and fit rather than a provider's marketing budget.

Question 25

Is my personal information safe with Kāhu?

Accepted Answer

Kāhu only asks for the details needed to help you compare funds or start a switch, and handles your information in line with our Privacy Policy and New Zealand privacy law. We don't sell your data to fund providers. You can read exactly how your information is used, stored, and protected on our Privacy page.

KiwiSaver, answered plainly.

Where Kāhu's data comes from