{ "site": "https://etfs.co.nz", "name": "ETFs.co.nz — canonical NZ-investment-platform index", "license": "https://etfs.co.nz/terms/", "citation": "Source: ETFs.co.nz, https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/, retrieved 2026-10-12.", "methodology": "Fee + market-access + custody fields compiled from each platform's published rate card and FMA notice. Reviewed monthly; verify on the platform's own pricing page before transacting.", "refresh_cadence": "Monthly fee + market-access review; FMA-licence status checked quarterly.", "updated": "2026-10-12", "count": 10, "entries": [ { "slug": "sharesies", "name": "Sharesies", "url": "https://sharesies.nz", "domain": "sharesies.nz", "review_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/platform/sharesies/", "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/sharesies.json", "description": "NZ retail-friendly platform with NZ, ASX, and US market access.", "markets": [ "NZX", "ASX", "NYSE/NASDAQ" ], "fee_summary": "1.9% per trade · per-market caps NZ$25 / AU$15 / US$5 · 0.5% FX", "fee_detail": "Brokerage 1.9% of order value on every order; per-market fee caps NZ$25 (above NZ$1,316), AU$15 (above AU$805), US$5 (above US$264). Currency-exchange fee 0.5% on NZD↔AUD and NZD↔USD. Optional subscription plans NZ$3 / NZ$7 / NZ$15 per month buy down brokerage for higher-volume users.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0", "fx_fee": "0.5%", "tax_structure": "Direct (FIF on US shares > NZ$50K) / NZ-PIE on Smartshares ETFs", "custody": "Nominee", "regulator": "FMA", "suited_for": "Beginners, fractional shares, mixing NZ + US ETFs", "pros": [ "NZ$0 minimum", "Three markets", "Fractional shares", "NZ tax reporting helper" ], "cons": [ "1.9% rate inefficient on micro orders", "Hatch ~US$2 cheaper per US trade on capped orders" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://www.sharesies.nz/pricing", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "hatch", "name": "Hatch", "url": "https://hatchinvest.nz", "domain": "hatchinvest.nz", "review_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/platform/hatch/", "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/hatch.json", "description": "NZ-built US share platform owned by Kiwi Wealth (now part of Fisher Funds).", "markets": [ "NYSE/NASDAQ" ], "fee_summary": "US$3 per trade (≤300 shares) · 0.5% FX · 1% order-value cap", "fee_detail": "US$3 flat per trade for the first 300 shares; US$0.01 per additional share after that. FX 0.5% on NZD↔USD (one-way). Per-trade fee capped at 1% of order value. No monthly account fee.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0 (US$1 to invest)", "fx_fee": "0.5%", "tax_structure": "Direct (FIF on holdings > NZ$50K)", "custody": "Nominee (DriveWealth-linked)", "regulator": "FMA", "suited_for": "NZ investors who want US-only ETFs (SPY, VOO, QQQ, SCHD, JEPI)", "pros": [ "No monthly fee", "Clean US-focused interface", "Free kids-account auto-invest" ], "cons": [ "US markets only — no NZX or ASX", "No fractional shares", "Higher FX fee than IBKR" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://www.hatchinvest.nz/pricing", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "stake", "name": "Stake", "url": "https://hellostake.com/nz", "domain": "hellostake.com", "review_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/platform/stake/", "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/stake.json", "description": "Australian-built US share platform with commission-free trades.", "markets": [ "NYSE/NASDAQ" ], "fee_summary": "US$0 trades · 0.7% FX (free Stake Black tier optional)", "fee_detail": "Standard: US$0 trades, 0.7% FX. Stake Black: 0% FX above tier minimums.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0", "fx_fee": "0.70%", "tax_structure": "Direct (FIF on holdings > NZ$50K)", "custody": "Nominee", "regulator": "FMA / ASIC", "suited_for": "Frequent US-share traders who hate per-trade fees", "pros": [ "Commission-free", "Fast execution", "Decent mobile app" ], "cons": [ "US markets only", "FX fee is on the high side at standard tier" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://hellostake.com/nz/pricing", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "interactive-brokers", "name": "Interactive Brokers", "url": "https://www.interactivebrokers.com", "domain": "interactivebrokers.com", "review_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/platform/interactive-brokers/", "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/interactive-brokers.json", "description": "Global broker. Among the lowest all-in fees of platforms reviewed once the interface curve is climbed.", "markets": [ "NYSE/NASDAQ", "NZX", "ASX", "LSE", "HKEX", "TSE" ], "fee_summary": "From US$0.35 / trade (Tiered) or US$1 flat (Fixed) · ~0.002% FX + US$2 min", "fee_detail": "IBKR Pro Tiered: US$0.0035/share, US$0.35 minimum per order, max 1% of trade value. IBKR Pro Fixed: US$0.005/share, US$1 minimum per order. NZ residents typically open IBKR LLC accounts on the Pro plan. FX conversion: ~0.002% spread on interbank rate, US$2 minimum per FX trade. No inactivity fee for accounts opened after July 2021.", "min_deposit": "US$0", "fx_fee": "~0.002% (US$2 min)", "tax_structure": "Direct (FIF on holdings > NZ$50K)", "custody": "Nominee, SIPC-protected", "regulator": "FMA notified · SEC / FCA / ASIC etc.", "suited_for": "Larger portfolios, frequent traders, multi-market investors", "pros": [ "Cheapest FX in NZ", "Global market access", "Professional tools" ], "cons": [ "Steep learning curve", "Tax reporting onus on you", "No NZ retail support team" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/pricing/commissions-stocks.php", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "tiger-brokers", "name": "Tiger Brokers", "url": "https://www.tigerbrokers.nz", "domain": "tigerbrokers.nz", "review_url": null, "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/tiger-brokers.json", "description": "Singapore-listed broker with NZ retail license; US/AU/NZ markets.", "markets": [ "NYSE/NASDAQ", "NZX", "ASX", "HKEX" ], "fee_summary": "US$2 flat per US trade (to 200 shares) · NZX 0.1% + 0.2% platform fee, min NZ$2 each", "fee_detail": "US: US$1.99 commission, US$0.005/share. NZX: NZ$2/trade. ASX: AU$2/trade. FX 0.50%.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0", "fx_fee": "0.50%", "tax_structure": "Direct (FIF on holdings > NZ$50K)", "custody": "Nominee", "regulator": "FMA", "suited_for": "NZ investors who want NZ + US + Asian markets in one account", "pros": [ "Multi-market", "Low per-trade cost", "Strong Asian-market coverage" ], "cons": [ "Newer NZ presence", "UI is denser than Sharesies/Hatch" ], "last_verified": "2026-09-04", "pricing_source": "https://www.itiger.com/nz/commissions", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "kernel", "name": "Kernel", "url": "https://kernelwealth.co.nz", "domain": "kernelwealth.co.nz", "review_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/platform/kernel/", "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/kernel.json", "description": "NZ-domiciled fund manager + brokerage for NZX / Kernel funds.", "markets": [ "Kernel funds", "NZX" ], "fee_summary": "Three tiers · NZ$0–150/yr account fee · NZ$0 brokerage · FX 0.40–1.50%", "fee_detail": "Tiered since 2026. Core: no account fee, fund management 0.25–0.50% p.a., FX 1.50% on US investments. Plus: NZ$5/month or NZ$50/year, management from 0.12%, FX 0.60%, adds the Total World Fund and PIE Save. Premium: NZ$15/month or NZ$150/year, management from 0.12%, FX 0.40%. Every tier has NZ$0 transaction fees on funds, NZ$0 brokerage on US shares and ETFs with a NZ$1 minimum, and KiwiSaver with no member fee. The FX margin is the figure that moves most between tiers — on the free Core tier it is the highest of any platform listed here.", "min_deposit": "NZ$1", "fx_fee": "0.40–1.50% (by tier)", "tax_structure": "PIE", "custody": "NZ Trust", "regulator": "FMA", "suited_for": "PIE-tax simplicity, low-cost passive NZ + global index funds", "pros": [ "Cheapest TER on Kernel funds", "PIE = no FIF", "NZ-based support" ], "cons": [ "Kernel-funds focused (limited share range)", "Not for active traders", "Free Core tier carries a 1.50% FX margin on US investments" ], "last_verified": "2026-09-04", "pricing_source": "https://kernelwealth.co.nz/pricing", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": [ { "name": "Core", "accountFee": "NZ$0", "managementFee": "0.25–0.50% p.a.", "transactionFee": "NZ$0", "fxFee": "1.50%" }, { "name": "Plus", "accountFee": "NZ$5/mo · NZ$50/yr", "managementFee": "0.12–0.50% p.a.", "transactionFee": "NZ$0", "fxFee": "0.60%", "includes": "Adds the Total World Fund and PIE Save" }, { "name": "Premium", "accountFee": "NZ$15/mo · NZ$150/yr", "managementFee": "0.12–0.50% p.a.", "transactionFee": "NZ$0", "fxFee": "0.40%", "includes": "Everything in Plus, at the lowest FX margin" } ] }, { "slug": "investnow", "name": "InvestNow", "url": "https://investnow.co.nz", "domain": "investnow.co.nz", "review_url": null, "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/investnow.json", "description": "NZ-based fund supermarket with Smartshares ETFs and a wide range of wholesale managed funds.", "markets": [ "Smartshares ETFs", "InvestNow funds (managed)" ], "fee_summary": "NZ$0 platform fee on most funds · Foundation Series 0.5% buy + 0.5% sell", "fee_detail": "No platform fee, no account fee, no transaction fee on Smartshares ETFs or most third-party managed funds. Each fund has its own TER (Smartshares lowest 0.34%, range 0.34–0.75%). Caveat: InvestNow's own Foundation Series funds charge 0.50% buy + 0.50% sell transaction fees. Minimum NZ$50/fund on a Regular Investment Plan, NZ$250 for one-off lump-sum investments.", "min_deposit": "NZ$50 (regular) / NZ$250 (lump)", "fx_fee": "N/A (NZD-denominated funds)", "tax_structure": "PIE (most funds)", "custody": "NZ Trust", "regulator": "FMA", "suited_for": "Buy-and-hold investors stacking Smartshares + multi-manager funds", "pros": [ "Zero platform fee on most funds", "Wide fund choice", "PIE tax simplicity" ], "cons": [ "No direct shares", "Per-fund minimums", "Foundation Series transaction fee", "No live pricing" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://investnow.co.nz/faq-items/what-are-the-fees-and-costs/", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "invest-direct", "name": "Invest Direct", "url": "https://www.investdirect.nz", "domain": "investdirect.nz", "review_url": null, "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/invest-direct.json", "description": "NZ broker for NZX, ASX, US and UK markets — formerly Jarden Direct, and before that Direct Broking. Operated by Hatch Invest NZ, executing through Jarden Securities.", "markets": [ "NZX", "ASX", "NYSE/NASDAQ", "LSE" ], "fee_summary": "From NZ$29.90 per trade · no account fee on NZ/AU", "fee_detail": "Brokerage starts at NZ$29.90 per trade, with a lower rate when the account is pre-funded with cleared settled funds before the order is placed. No account or subscription fee on NZ- and Australian-listed shares. US and UK trading is opt-in — it has to be switched on by emailing support — and covers roughly 1,000 NYSE/NASDAQ and 250 LSE securities rather than the whole market. US/UK holdings also attract a six-monthly custodial administration fee on top of brokerage. Per-market rates are published on the pricing page, which needs JavaScript to read.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0", "fx_fee": "Undisclosed margin on conversion", "tax_structure": "Direct", "custody": "NZX Sponsored (NZ/AU) · FNZ Custodians (US/UK)", "regulator": "FMA / NZX Participant", "suited_for": "Larger NZX and ASX trades, and sponsored NZ holdings in your own name", "pros": [ "Sponsored NZ/AU holdings registered in your own name, not a nominee", "NZX, ASX, US and UK from one NZ-licensed broker", "No account or subscription fee on NZ/AU shares", "Cheaper brokerage when the trade is pre-funded" ], "cons": [ "Per-trade brokerage is steep for small or frequent orders", "US/UK access must be activated by email and covers a curated list, not the full market", "US/UK holdings are custodial via FNZ and carry a six-monthly admin fee", "FX conversion margin is not published on the rate card", "Pricing page cannot be read without JavaScript, so fees are hard to verify" ], "last_verified": "2026-09-05", "pricing_source": "https://www.investdirect.nz/pricing", "fees_verified": false, "former_names": [ "Jarden Direct", "Direct Broking" ], "tiers": null }, { "slug": "asb-securities", "name": "ASB Securities", "url": "https://www.asb.co.nz/asb-securities", "domain": "asb.co.nz", "review_url": null, "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/asb-securities.json", "description": "ASB Bank-owned NZX broker with integrated banking.", "markets": [ "NZX", "ASX", "NYSE/NASDAQ", "LSE" ], "fee_summary": "NZ$30 per NZX trade · US$70 per US trade", "fee_detail": "NZX: NZ$30 (≤ NZ$1K), 0.30% above. ASX: AU$30 or 0.30%. US: US$70/trade (high). NZ$0 platform fee with ASB account.", "min_deposit": "NZ$0 (ASB customer)", "fx_fee": "Bank rates (~1%)", "tax_structure": "Direct", "custody": "NZX Sponsored", "regulator": "FMA / NZX Participant", "suited_for": "Existing ASB customers wanting one login for banking + brokerage", "pros": [ "ASB-integrated", "CHESS sponsored", "NZ + AU + US + UK" ], "cons": [ "US trades expensive", "FX is bank-rate, not wholesale" ], "last_verified": "2026-05-25", "pricing_source": "https://www.asb.co.nz/asb-securities/rates-and-fees.html", "fees_verified": false, "former_names": null, "tiers": null }, { "slug": "smartshares-direct", "name": "Smart (direct)", "url": "https://www.smartinvest.co.nz", "domain": "smartinvest.co.nz", "review_url": null, "api_url": "https://etfs.co.nz/api/platforms/smartshares-direct.json", "description": "Buy Smart (formerly Smartshares) ETFs directly from the issuer through its investor portal, without brokerage — on a monthly cycle rather than live on market.", "markets": [ "NZX (Smart ETF family only)" ], "fee_summary": "NZ$30 one-off set-up · NZ$0 brokerage · NZ$500 min per ETF", "fee_detail": "NZ$30 one-off set-up fee for a new investor, then no fee on subsequent contributions and no brokerage. Minimums: NZ$500 per ETF to start, NZ$250 per additional lump sum, or NZ$50 per month on a regular plan. Purchases settle through a monthly unit-creation cycle — payment is taken around the 20th and units are applied around the 3rd business day of the following month — so you cannot buy at a price you see today. Selling means trading existing units on market through a broker, at that broker's fees. The ETF's own TER applies either way.", "min_deposit": "NZ$500 per ETF (NZ$50/mo regular plan)", "fx_fee": "N/A (NZD, NZ-domiciled)", "tax_structure": "PIE", "custody": "Registry (units held on the Smart register)", "regulator": "FMA (Smart as issuer)", "suited_for": "Regular contributors who want Smart ETFs at no brokerage and do not need to trade intraday", "pros": [ "No brokerage on direct purchases", "NZ$50/month regular plan", "PIE-taxed and NZ-domiciled, so no FIF", "Distributions can be reinvested" ], "cons": [ "Monthly buy cycle — no live pricing and no same-day execution", "Selling still requires a broker, and their fees", "NZ$30 set-up fee and NZ$500 per-ETF entry minimum", "Smart funds only" ], "last_verified": "2026-09-05", "pricing_source": "https://www.smartinvest.co.nz/invest-with-us/smart-etfs/how-to-invest-in-smart-etfs", "fees_verified": true, "former_names": [ "Smartshares" ], "tiers": null } ] }