Fund-vs-fund · Australasian Equities
Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE FundvsSmart NZ Mid Cap ETF
Both are Australasian Equities funds available to NZ retail investors. Numbers below are sourced from the FMA Disclose register via Sorted Smart Investor and reflect the latest published quarterly fund updates.
What's different at a glance
- Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund charges 0.25% lower in annual fund charges (0.35% vs 0.60%).
- Both are New Zealand PIE funds — investor tax is capped at the Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), maximum 28%.
- Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund applies responsible-investment / ESG screening. The other fund does not.
Where each fund sits in its cohort
Percentile rank vs all 57 australasian equities funds we've matched on Sorted Smart Investor. Mechanical only — no opinion, no forward-looking view.
Annual fund charge
Lower is better
Dimensional
0.35%
Lowest 18% of cohort
Smartshares
0.60%
Lower half of cohort
5-year return p.a.
Past performance — not a predictor
Dimensional
—
—
Smartshares
0.36%
Lower half over 5 years
Fund size
Larger = more stable, lower close-risk
Dimensional
NZ$118m
Upper half by size
Smartshares
NZ$133m
Upper half by size
| Metric | Dimensional | Smartshares | Lower / higher is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fund charge | 0.35% | 0.60% | Lower is better |
| Risk indicator (1–7) | 5 | 5 | Higher = more volatility |
| 5-year return p.a. | — | 0.36% | Higher is better (past not future) |
| Fund size | NZ$118m | NZ$133m | Larger = more stable, lower close-risk |
| Growth / income split | 98% / 2% | 98% / 2% | More growth = higher long-run return + volatility |
| NZ tax structure | PIE (PIR-capped) | PIE (PIR-capped) | PIE = simpler. FIF = annual return. |
| Currency hedging | — | — | Hedged smooths NZD/foreign FX moves at a small cost. |
| Responsible investment screening | Yes | No | Specific exclusions live in each fund's SIPO. |
| Available via | Direct | Direct | Platforms accepting retail subscriptions. |
Portfolio overlap
How many top-10 positions both funds hold, and at what weight. Computed from each fund's most recently disclosed top-10 holdings — exact-name matched (Microsoft Corp. = Microsoft Corporation), with a Cash / Cash & Equivalents collapse rule.
0 overlapping top-10 holdings. The two funds disclose disjoint top-10 sets — useful diversification signal if you held both.
What each fund says it does
Dimensional
Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund
The fund is expected to be fully invested. A portion of the portfolio may be allocated to cash and cash equivalents for liquidity purposes. The fund is not managed with the objective of achieving a particular return relative to a benchmark index. However, to compare the performance of the fund with a broad measure of market performance, reference may be made to the S&P/ASX 300 Index (Total Return).Full Dimensional Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund profile →
Smartshares
Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF
The Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF is designed to track the return (before tax, fees and other expenses) of the S&P/NZX MidCap Index. The Index is comprised of companies listed on the NZX that are included in the S&P/NZX 50 Index but are not included in the S&P/NZX 10 Index.Full Smartshares Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF profile →
Common questions
What's the difference between the Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund and the Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF?
Both are australasian equities funds available to NZ retail investors. Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund charges 0.25% lower in annual fund charges (0.35% vs 0.60%).
Which fund has lower fees, Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund or Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF?
Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund has the lower annual fund charge (0.35% p.a. vs 0.60% p.a.). Source: each fund's most recent Quarterly Fund Update on the FMA Disclose register.
Are both funds PIE-taxed in NZ?
Yes. Both are NZ Portfolio Investment Entities (PIEs). Investor tax on the fund's income is capped at the Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), maximum 28%.
Does either fund apply responsible-investment screening?
Yes — Dimensional Australian Sustainability PIE Fund applies responsible-investment / ESG screening. Smart NZ Mid Cap ETF does not. Specific exclusions and engagement policies are documented in each fund's Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives (SIPO).
Where can I read the official documents for these funds?
Both funds publish their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Statement of Investment Policy (SIPO) and Quarterly Fund Update (QFU) on the FMA Disclose register at disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz. Always read the current PDS before investing.
Not sure which fund is right for you?
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Important: This comparison is general information only — not personalised financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. The right fund for you depends on your personal circumstances. Read each fund's Product Disclosure Statement and consider speaking to a licensed financial adviser.