Where to buy

Pick a platform, not just a fund.

The fund manager runs the portfolio, but the platform is where you actually open an account and place orders. The platform decides the minimums, the buy/sell fees on top of the fund’s own fees, and which funds you can even see. Here’s how the four NZ retail options compare.

Head-to-head fee comparisons

InvestNow vs Sharesies InvestNow vs Kernel Sharesies vs Kernel InvestNow vs Direct with the fund manager

Side-by-side fee tables with a dated primary source for every figure.

InvestNow

Apex Group

Visit InvestNow →

New Zealand’s largest open-architecture managed-funds platform. The widest fund shelf in NZ retail.

Funds available: Varies
Minimum order: NZ$250 per order
Regular plan from: NZ$50
Typical fit: DIY investors who want the broadest fund shelf and zero platform overhead.

Pros

✓Carries every fund on this site (156 / 156)
✓No platform / admin fees
✓Regular Investment Plans from NZ$50 per fund per cycle
✓Same login covers managed funds, KiwiSaver and term deposits

Watch-outs

!Owned by InvestNow / Apex Group — they distribute their own Foundation Series funds prominently
!Cash held in Transaction Account does not accrue interest to you (InvestNow keeps the spread)
!No mobile app (browser-first)

Fees on top of the fund: Zero platform fee. Fund managers’ underlying fees still apply. Some funds have buy/sell transaction fees (e.g., Foundation Series 0.50%).

Sharesies

Sharesies Group Limited

Visit Sharesies →

Brokerage and investment app with a curated managed-fund shelf and the full Smartshares ETF range.

Funds available: Varies
Minimum order: None (invest from 1¢)
Regular plan from: NZ$5
Typical fit: Hands-on investors who want one app for ETFs + shares + a small number of managed funds.

Pros

✓Polished mobile app
✓Fractional investing — invest tiny amounts
✓Combines NZX/ASX shares, US shares and managed funds in one account
✓Particularly strong for the 33 Smartshares ETFs

Watch-outs

!Curated shelf — most non-ETF managed funds are not available
!Share-order transaction fees compound on small frequent share orders (managed-fund orders carry no Sharesies fee)
!Cash balances earn limited interest

Fees on top of the fund: No Sharesies transaction fee on managed-fund orders (fund providers may charge a buy/sell spread). Share/ETF orders carry a 1.9% transaction fee with per-market caps, or a monthly plan. As at 5 July 2026 per sharesies.nz/pricing.

Direct with the fund manager

Various

Many managers accept retail investment directly through their own website — no platform in the middle.

Funds available: 304 / 304
Minimum order: NZ$1,000 – $25,000 typical (manager-specific)
Regular plan from: NZ$100
Typical fit: Investors with a long-term holding in one or two specific managers (e.g., Milford only).

Pros

✓Closest relationship with the fund manager
✓Some managers offer balance-tier discounts
✓No platform-imposed buy/sell transaction fees

Watch-outs

!Each manager is a separate account, login and statement
!Higher minimums than aggregator platforms
!No single combined view of your portfolio

Fees on top of the fund: Usually no platform fee; manager’s underlying fund fee applies. Some managers charge an entry fee.

Kernel

Kernel Wealth Limited

Visit Kernel →

NZ-built investment platform that runs its own low-fee index funds and a small curated managed-fund shelf.

Funds available: Varies
Minimum order: NZ$100 per order
Regular plan from: NZ$10
Typical fit: Investors who specifically want Kernel’s in-house index funds plus a few curated picks.

Pros

✓Own range of low-fee NZ-built index funds
✓Clean modern app and dashboard
✓Auto-investing via direct debit

Watch-outs

!Most funds in this comparison are not available on Kernel
!Built around Kernel’s own funds — narrower shelf

Fees on top of the fund: Zero platform fee. Underlying fund fees apply.

A note on independence

ManagedFundsNZ is not affiliated with any platform on this page. We do not (yet) accept affiliate fees, sponsored placement, or paid rankings — and we will disclose any commercial relationship before it changes. For each fund page, the "Available via" links go to the platform’s own page; we do not currently track whether you signed up.

Always read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and consider obtaining personalised financial advice from a licensed financial adviser before investing. ManagedFundsNZ is general information only.