Fund-vs-fund · International Equities
Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund vs Kernel World ex-US (NZD Hedged) Fund
Both are International 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
- Both are New Zealand PIE funds — investor tax is capped at the Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), maximum 28%.
- Kernel World ex-US (NZD Hedged) Fund hedges its foreign-currency exposure to NZD; Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund is unhedged. NZD weakness boosts unhedged returns and reduces hedged returns (the inverse on NZD strength).
Where each fund sits in its cohort
Percentile rank vs all 81 international equities funds we've matched on Sorted Smart Investor. Mechanical only — no opinion, no forward-looking view.
Annual fund charge
Lower is better
Harbour
—
—
Kernel
—
—
5-year return p.a.
Past performance — not a predictor
Harbour
—
—
Kernel
—
—
Fund size
Larger = more stable, lower close-risk
Harbour
—
—
Kernel
—
—
| Metric | Harbour | Kernel | Lower / higher is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fund charge | — | — | Lower is better |
| Risk indicator (1–7) | — | — | Higher = more volatility |
| 5-year return p.a. | — | — | Higher is better (past not future) |
| Fund size | — | — | Larger = more stable, lower close-risk |
| Growth / income split | — | — | More growth = higher long-run return + volatility |
| NZ tax structure | PIE (PIR-capped) | PIE (PIR-capped) | PIE = simpler. FIF = annual return. |
| Currency hedging | Unhedged | Hedged to NZD | Hedged smooths NZD/foreign FX moves at a small cost. |
| Responsible investment screening | No | No | Specific exclusions live in each fund's SIPO. |
| Available via | Direct | Direct | Platforms accepting retail subscriptions. |
Sources:
Common questions
What's the difference between the Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund and the Kernel World ex-US (NZD Hedged) Fund?
Both are international equities funds available to NZ retail investors. Both are New Zealand PIE funds — investor tax is capped at the Prescribed Investor Rate (PIR), maximum 28%.
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%.
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.
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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.