Fund-vs-fund · International Equities
Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund vs Vanguard International Shares Select Exclusions Index 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
- Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund is a NZ PIE (PIR-capped tax). Vanguard International Shares Select Exclusions Index Fund is structured as an Australian Unit Trust — NZ investors pay tax under FIF rules and need to file an annual return.
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
—
—
Vanguard
—
—
5-year return p.a.
Past performance — not a predictor
Harbour
—
—
Vanguard
—
—
Fund size
Larger = more stable, lower close-risk
Harbour
—
—
Vanguard
—
—
| Metric | Harbour | Vanguard | 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) | AU Unit Trust (FIF rules) | PIE = simpler. FIF = annual return. |
| Currency hedging | Unhedged | — | 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 Vanguard International Shares Select Exclusions Index Fund?
Both are international equities funds available to NZ retail investors. Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund is a NZ PIE (PIR-capped tax). Vanguard International Shares Select Exclusions Index Fund is structured as an Australian Unit Trust — NZ investors pay tax under FIF rules and need to file an annual return.
Are both funds PIE-taxed in NZ?
Only Harbour Epoch Global Quality Select Equity Fund is a NZ PIE (PIR-capped tax). Vanguard International Shares Select Exclusions Index Fund is taxed differently — most likely under the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules, which require NZ investors to file an annual return. Check each fund's PDS for current tax treatment.
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.