Which KiwiSaver provider is right for you? Let Cam compare them for free
The best KiwiSaver provider is the one that suits your goals, timeline and situation - not the one with the most advertising. There are currently 29 registered KiwiSaver providers in NZ. Cam compares the leading ones for you, and explains the options in plain English.
The six things that actually affect your KiwiSaver balance
Most people compare KiwiSaver providers on advertising or brand recognition. These six factors are what actually determine how much you end up with. For the background on each one, read how KiwiSaver providers actually differ.
Long-term performance
Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but long-term track records matter. Cam looks at returns after fees over 5 and 10 years - not just the most recent year, which can be misleading.
Fund types available
Different providers offer different fund ranges - from conservative to aggressive. Whether you need a growth fund for long-term retirement savings or a conservative fund ahead of a first-home purchase matters a lot.
Your situation
A provider that suits a 25-year-old saving for retirement may not suit a 35-year-old buying their first home in two years. Cam matches the right provider and fund to your specific situation and goals.
Responsible investment
Some providers actively exclude fossil fuels, tobacco and human rights violators from their funds. If your values matter as much as your returns, this is an important factor - and Cam can point you to the providers with the strongest ethical credentials.
NZ ownership and customer satisfaction
All five providers Cam works with are majority NZ-owned. Cam also tracks Consumer NZ satisfaction survey results and provider reputation over time - because service quality and transparency matter alongside raw performance numbers.
Fees
Every provider charges annual management fees. Even a small difference in fees compounds into a significant difference over 20-30 years. Cam compares the actual cost to you - not just the headline percentage.
Advice across New Zealand's leading KiwiSaver providers
Cam compares all 29 KiwiSaver providers for you. Of those, there are five he actively recommends and can place you with, because he judges them the best on the measures below. He could sign agreements with more. He chooses not to.
Compare the five schemes Cam recommends
Every figure below comes from the provider's own current fee page or Product Disclosure Statement, checked on 10 August 2026. These are the five Cam recommends, not the whole market - he compares all 29 providers with you, and the wider market data is on the Morningstar returns page. There is no single best KiwiSaver provider. The right one depends on your timeframe, your risk tolerance, what you want your money invested in and what you are actually going to do next.
| Scheme | Investment style | Fund categories | Annual fund charge | Fixed member fee | Ethical options | Digital tools | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booster KiwiSaver Scheme | Active, alongside lower-cost index-based "Asset Class" funds | Default Saver, Capital Guaranteed, Enhanced Cash, Conservative, Moderate, Balanced, Growth, High Growth, Geared Growth, plus Socially Responsible versions of Moderate, Balanced, Growth, High Growth and Geared Growth | 0.35% to 1.34%Geared Growth 1.74%. Tiered rebates apply above $200,000. | $3 a month ($36 a year)No member fee on the Default Saver Fund. | Five Socially Responsible funds, RIAA certified. 16 screening filters, excluding fossil fuels, tobacco, military weapons, nuclear weapons and whaling | Booster NZ app (iOS and Android), Savvy debit card, mybudgetpal | Booster fees and charges | 10 August 2026 |
| Fisher Funds KiwiSaver Plan | Active"Our investment team focuses on active management." | Cash, Core Conservative, Conservative, Default, Balanced, Growth, Aggressive | 0.37% to 1.23% | NoneOn the Default Fund only, no fund charge applies if that balance is $1,500 or less. | Responsible investing policy applied across the range. No separately branded ethical fund | Fisher Funds app (iOS and Android), online account portal | Fisher Funds fees and expenses | 10 August 2026 |
| Generate KiwiSaver Scheme | Active | CashPlus, Conservative, Moderate, Balanced, Growth, Focused Growth, plus Thematic, Global and Australasian specialist funds | 0.40% to 1.25% | $3 a month ($36 a year) for members aged 18 or over | UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory since 2018. All funds certified as Mindful Funds by Mindful Money. Excludes tobacco, whale meat, cluster munitions and nuclear explosive devices | Generate KiwiSaver app (iOS and Android) | Generate fees | 10 August 2026 |
| Milford KiwiSaver Plan | ActiveActive Growth is an absolute return style fund. | Cash, Conservative, Moderate, Balanced, Active Growth, Aggressive | 0.20% to 1.25%Moderate, Balanced and Active Growth include an estimated performance fee. Performance fees are capped at 0.90% of the fund's average net asset value. | None | ESG analysis and active engagement with companies held, rather than a separate ethical fund range | Milford app (iOS and Android), online account portal | Milford KiwiSaver Plan PDS, 16 June 2026 | 10 August 2026 |
| Pathfinder KiwiSaver Plan | Active, built around an ethical mandate | Conservative, Balanced, Growth, High Growth | 1.20% to 1.35%High Growth 1.27%. | $27 a year if you are 18 or over with a balance of $5,000 or more | Growth, Balanced and Conservative funds independently certified by RIAA. Certified by Mindful Money as Animal Cruelty Free, Weapons Free and Climate Friendly | Online investor portal. No dedicated mobile app listed in the New Zealand App Store at the verification date | Pathfinder KiwiSaver funds | 10 August 2026 |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
How to read this table
The annual fund charge is a range because each scheme holds several funds, and a conservative fund almost always costs less to run than a growth fund. Compare like with like. A 0.35% default fund and a 1.34% high growth fund are not competing products - they hold different assets, carry different risk and are built for different timeframes. The only fair fee comparison is between two funds in the same category with a similar mix of growth assets.
Fees also are not the whole picture. A fund charging 0.30% more than another is behind by 0.30% a year before anything else happens, and over decades that compounds. But the fund that keeps you invested through a downturn, or that is actually invested at the right risk level for when you need the money, will usually matter more than a fraction of a percent. That trade-off is the conversation, and it is different for everyone.
Nothing in this table is a recommendation. It is a starting point for a conversation about your situation. Cam does not rank these five against each other, because the ranking changes depending on who is asking.
Which providers Cam covers, and how he is paid
Cam is a registered financial adviser (FSP1010212). He can advise on and compare all 29 KiwiSaver providers, including the one you are in now, whoever that is. If you want to know how your current scheme stacks up, he will tell you, and if the answer is that you should stay where you are then that is the answer you will get.
Where he differs from a comparison website is the next step. Cam recommends and places business with five schemes: Booster, Fisher Funds, Generate, Milford and Pathfinder. Those five are a deliberate choice, not a limitation handed to him. He could sign agreements with more providers and has chosen not to, because these are the ones he judges best on the measures set out above. You should weigh that for what it is: a considered filter applied by someone who has to live with the outcome, and also a shorter list than the whole market.
The advice costs you nothing. Cam is paid by the provider you choose, out of the fees that provider already charges. Your fees do not go up because you came through an adviser, and your returns are not reduced. Because that payment comes from the provider, it is a conflict of interest that has to be managed and disclosed rather than pretended away - the full detail of who pays what is in Cam's disclosure statement, and you are entitled to ask him about it directly in your session.
Fees, fund names and product features change. Every figure here was read off the provider's own current fee page or Product Disclosure Statement on the date shown in the final column. Before you commit to any scheme, check the current Product Disclosure Statement and the latest quarterly Fund Update, both of which are published on the Disclose Register.
What makes each provider stand out
Cam evaluates providers on long-term performance after fees, responsible investment credentials, NZ ownership, technology, and customer satisfaction - not on who pays the highest referral fee. All five actively manage money, and Booster also offers a lower-cost index-based range.
Generate
One of the strongest all-round performers. Generate offers 6 diversified funds plus 3 specialist funds, and has delivered strong 10-year returns across multiple fund types. 100% NZ-owned and one of NZ's fastest-growing KiwiSaver providers.
Best for: Growth-focused investors wanting a strong long-term track record
Milford
A well-established active manager with a strong reputation in NZ investment. Milford's 6 diversified KiwiSaver funds have delivered consistently strong 10-year returns, driven by an in-house research team and active stock selection across NZ and global markets. Understand what to do when markets dive.
Best for: Investors wanting a proven active manager with a long track record
Booster
The most diverse fund range of the five - 14 funds in total, including a geared growth option for those wanting higher exposure to growth assets. 100% NZ-owned and has delivered excellent 10-year performance in its aggressive funds.
Best for: Investors wanting maximum fund choice and a geared growth option
Pathfinder
The strongest ethical credentials of the five. Pathfinder screens out fossil fuels, weapons and other activities it judges harmful, and its Growth, Balanced and Conservative funds are independently certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia. Four fund options. Screens are applied to a policy rather than absolutely, so read the current exclusions if a specific industry matters to you.
Best for: Investors who want returns and values to align
Fisher Funds
Seven funds from Cash through to Aggressive, with active stock selection and published annual fund charges running from 0.37% on the Default fund to 1.23% on Aggressive. The Default fund fee is a maximum rather than a flat rate, and if your Default fund balance is $1,500 or less there is no charge on it at all - which makes it a low-friction place for a balance that is starting from nothing. That waiver applies to the Default fund only, not to the other six. See how this fits KiwiSaver for children.
Best for: Starting a small or brand-new balance without fees eating into it
Every year Consumer NZ surveys 2,000 people about their KiwiSaver experience. These are the 2026 results.
Performance data is sourced from Morningstar KiwiSaver quarterly reports. Past performance does not guarantee future returns - Cam reviews the most current data in your free session.
Trusted by Kiwis like you
"He helped me work out which KiwiSaver option best suited my goals. Cameron was accommodating, took the time to explain everything clearly, and never made me feel pressured. His positive outlook on life makes you feel excited about investing in your future. I'd highly recommend speaking with Cameron."
"Cameron is professional, approachable, and genuinely cares about helping his clients make the best decisions for their future. I felt confident and well-informed every step of the way. I would highly recommend Cameron to anyone looking for expert KiwiSaver advice."
"Cameron sat down with us and showed us the difference between Generate and our bank provider and we were sold. We feel very confident that we will have enough funds for retirement and look forward to our regular reviews."
KiwiSaver provider questions, answered
What is the best KiwiSaver provider in NZ?
There is no single best provider - the right one depends on your goals, fund type, timeline and situation. Cam compares fees, long-term performance and fund range across leading providers to find what genuinely suits you.
How do I compare KiwiSaver providers?
Compare fees (annual fund charges), long-term performance after fees, the range of fund types available, and how the provider handles things like first-home withdrawals. Cam does this comparison for you for free.
Is it difficult to switch KiwiSaver providers?
No. Switching takes about five minutes online, and your contributions and balance transfer automatically. There is no gap in coverage and you do not lose your employer contributions. Cam handles the paperwork with you.
Can I switch providers more than once?
Yes. You can switch providers at any time. Some providers charge a fee for switching out, but most do not. Cam checks this for your specific situation before making any recommendation.
Does switching providers affect my employer contributions?
No. Your employer contributions continue regardless of which provider you are with. The switch only affects where your balance and future contributions are invested - it does not disrupt anything with your employer.
Why doesn't Cam work with every provider?
Cam works with the providers he believes consistently offer the best combination of fees, long-term performance and fund range for his clients' situations - Generate, Milford, Pathfinder, Fisher Funds and Booster. He does not recommend providers just because they offer a higher referral fee.
Do KiwiSaver providers invest ethically, and can Cameron help me find one that aligns with my values?
Yes - and it varies significantly between providers. Some have broad responsible investment policies, others offer dedicated ethical funds that actively screen out industries like fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, gambling, or companies with poor labour practices. A few providers go further and focus specifically on positive impact investing. Because Cam works across a range of providers rather than being tied to one, he can compare the ethical credentials of different options alongside fees and performance, and help you find something that genuinely reflects your values rather than just using the label. It's a completely valid thing to factor into your decision.
Is Pathfinder KiwiSaver a good choice?
Yes, for the right investor. Pathfinder is the standout responsible investment option - it excludes fossil fuels, tobacco and human rights violators across all funds, while still delivering strong 5-year returns. If aligning your investments with your values matters to you, Pathfinder is worth serious consideration. Learn more about what responsible investment means for KiwiSaver.
Is Generate KiwiSaver good?
Generate is one of the strongest all-round performers Cam works with. It has delivered strong 10-year returns across multiple fund types, offers 9 funds (6 diversified plus 3 specialist), and is 100% NZ-owned. It suits growth-focused investors with a long time horizon.
Is Milford KiwiSaver good?
Milford has a strong long-term track record and is one of NZ's most respected active fund managers. Its KiwiSaver funds have consistently performed well over 10 years. It is a solid choice for investors who want active management and a proven performance history. See our detailed review of the Milford Active Growth fund to learn more.
Is Booster KiwiSaver good?
Booster offers the widest fund range of the five providers Cam works with - 14 funds including a geared growth option. It is 100% NZ-owned and has delivered excellent 10-year performance in its aggressive funds. Best for investors who want maximum fund choice or the higher growth potential of a geared fund.
Not sure your current provider is a good fit? Try the free KiwiSaver Health Check - 10 quick questions to see whether your fund, fees, and contributions may need a closer look.