Updated Reviewed quarterly
VOO ETF: Vanguard S&P 500
TER0.03%·Yield (TTM)1.4%·DistributionQuarterly·NZ taxFIF (US-domiciled, > NZ$50K cost-basis)
Vanguard's ultra-low-cost S&P 500 ETF with just 0.03% expense ratio. The same 500 companies as SPY, but with lower fees for long-term investors.
VOO Key Stats (2026)
What is VOO ETF?
VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) tracks the same S&P 500 index as SPY but with Vanguard's trademark low-cost approach. At just 0.03% expense ratio, it has one of the lowest published TERs of any S&P 500 ETF.
Launched in 2010, VOO has become the second-largest S&P 500 ETF globally. For NZ investors focused on long-term wealth building, the lower fees can make a meaningful difference over decades.
Why Choose VOO Over SPY?
- Lower fees: 0.03% (VOO) vs 0.09% (SPY) — on every NZ$100,000 invested the annual difference is NZ$65
- Same exposure: Identical S&P 500 holdings and performance
- Vanguard reputation: Trusted provider focused on investor interests
- Slightly higher yield: Lower fees mean more dividends pass through
Fee Comparison Over 30 Years
On a $100,000 investment growing at 8% annually, VOO's lower fees would save you approximately $4,500 over 30 years compared to SPY. For larger portfolios, the savings are proportionally greater.
How to Buy VOO ETF in New Zealand (2026)
Platforms Offering VOO
Interactive Brokers
Near-zero trading fees and lowest FX rates. Used by larger portfolios.
Stake
Commission-free trades. Good for regular investors.
Hatch
NZ-based platform with NZ support — flat US per-trade brokerage; see live Hatch rate card.
Tax Reminder
VOO is subject to NZ's FIF tax rules. You'll pay tax on 5% of your opening balance annually (FDR method) or actual dividends if under the NZ$50,000 (source) threshold. Keep records for your IR3 tax return.
VOO vs SPY: Quick Comparison
| Feature | VOO | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.0945% |
| Index Tracked | S&P 500 | S&P 500 |
| Liquidity | High | Highest |
| Typical Use | Long-term investing | Active trading |
VOO ETF FAQs
Is VOO better than SPY for NZ investors?
For long-term buy-and-hold investors, VOO's lower fees make it slightly better. For frequent traders who value liquidity, SPY may be preferable. The performance difference is minimal.
Can I buy fractional shares of VOO in NZ?
Yes, platforms like Stake and Sharesies offer fractional shares. A full VOO share costs approximately US$530-560 (January 2026).
Does VOO pay dividends?
Yes, VOO pays quarterly dividends with a yield of approximately 1.35%. Dividends are subject to 15% US withholding tax under the NZ-US tax treaty.
Explore VOO Platforms
Compare platforms for buying Vanguard's low-cost S&P 500 ETF from New Zealand
Related to VOO
SPY — most-liquid S&P 500 alternative
Same index, 3× the fee but tighter spreads.
SPY vs VOO comparison
Side-by-side fees + liquidity.
VTI — total US market
S&P 500 + small/mid caps, 0.03% TER.
VTI vs VOO comparison
Total market vs large-cap-only.
Best S&P 500 ETFs for NZ
SPY · VOO · IVV · NZX-listed USF compared.
NZ-listed ETFs (PIE-tax alternative)
Smartshares USF tracks the S&P 500 PIE-taxed.
Next typical distribution: September.VOO typically pays in Mar · Jun · Sep · Dec. Most recent verified distribution: US$1.9622 per unit, ex-date 2026-06-26. Issuer sets the exact date — verify on the distribution calendar before relying on a payment date.
Distribution history
Recent distributions — VOO
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per unit (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-26 | 2026-06-30 | US$1.9622 |
| 2026-03-27 | 2026-03-31 | US$1.8724 |
| 2025-12-22 | 2025-12-24 | US$1.7710 |
| 2025-09-29 | 2025-10-01 | US$1.7400 |
| 2025-06-30 | 2025-07-02 | US$1.7447 |
| 2025-03-27 | 2025-03-31 | US$1.8121 |
Dates are the issuer-published record/reinvest dates; under US T+1 settlement these coincide with the ex-date.
Source: Vanguard distribution records, verified 2026-07-05. Amounts are cash distributions per unit before tax — verify against the issuer source before relying on a payment. VOO typically distributes mar · jun · sep · dec; next typical month: September.
See /calendar/distributions/ for the rolling 12-month forward calendar across all covered ETFs.
Platform availability
Where to buy VOO from New Zealand
Based on each platform's advertised market coverage and fee schedule. Verify with the platform before transacting — instrument coverage can change.
| Platform | Per-trade fee | FX | Min | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sharesies Sharesies | 1.9% per trade | 0.5% | NZ$0 | Beginners, fractional shares, mixing NZ + US ETFs |
 Hatch Hatch | US$3 per trade (≤300 shares) | 0.5% | NZ$0 (US$1 to invest) | NZ investors who want US-only ETFs (SPY, VOO, QQQ, SCHD, JEPI) |
 Stake Stake | US$0 trades | 0.70% | NZ$0 | Frequent US-share traders who hate per-trade fees |
 Interactive Brokers Interactive Brokers | From US$0.35 / trade (Tiered) or US$1 flat (Fixed) | ~0.002% (US$2 min) | US$0 | Larger portfolios, frequent traders, multi-market investors |
 Tiger Brokers Tiger Brokers | US$1.99 per US trade | 0.50% | NZ$0 | NZ investors who want NZ + US + Asian markets in one account |
 Jarden Direct Jarden Direct | NZ$29.90 per NZX trade | ~0.40% | NZ$0 | Larger NZX trades and global market access through one NZ broker |
 ASB Securities ASB Securities | NZ$30 per NZX trade | Bank rates (~1%) | NZ$0 (ASB customer) | Existing ASB customers wanting one login for banking + brokerage |
Showing 7 platforms that list this ETF. Full platform comparison: all 11 NZ brokers → · Full coverage matrix: availability matrix →
NZ tax treatment
How is VOO taxed for NZ investors?
VOO is US-domiciled. NZ investors apply Foreign Investment Fund rules once total overseas-share cost basis crosses the de-minimis threshold. Below it, only dividends are taxable.
The FIF de-minimis threshold is NZ$50,000 (source) of overseas-share cost basis. Below it, FIF rules do not apply and only dividends are taxable.
Most NZ retail investors use Fair Dividend Rate (FDR): deemed income = 5% × opening market value × your marginal rate. Comparative Value (CV) can be lower in flat or down years.
US dividends carry 15% (source) withholding under the NZ–US tax treaty (file W-8BEN; default rate without it is 30% (source) ). The withheld amount can be claimed as a foreign tax credit on your IR3.
FDR vs CV method → · PIE vs FIF comparison →
🧮 Model your own after-tax outcome
Mechanical NZ-tax calculator comparing PIE @ PIR vs FIF @ FDR vs FIF @ CV on your principal, assumed return, time horizon, PIR, and marginal rate. → Open the after-tax calculator
General information only — not personalised tax advice. Confirm your treatment with a registered NZ tax adviser before transacting.
Add up to 4 more tickers to compare TER · yield · distribution · NZ tax structure.
FAQ
Common questions about VOO
What is the VOO ETF?⌄
VOO is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — a low-cost tracker of the S&P 500 index. At 0.03% TER and ~US$450B AUM, it is among the lower-cost S&P 500 ETFs available. Vanguard is investor-owned, which historically aligns issuer incentives with low ongoing costs.
VOO vs IVV vs SPY — what is the practical difference?⌄
All three track the S&P 500. VOO and IVV (iShares) charge 0.03% TER; SPY charges 0.0945%. SPY has the deepest liquidity and tightest spreads — meaningful for traders, less so for long-term holders. VOO is investor-owned; IVV is BlackRock-owned. For most NZ buy-and-hold investors, VOO and IVV have lower ongoing cost.
How can NZ residents buy VOO?⌄
VOO is available via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies (US market), and Interactive Brokers. Compare per-trade fees and FX spreads — IBKR has the lowest published all-in cost at scale; Hatch and Stake are simpler for smaller, less-frequent trades. Sharesies offers fractional shares.
How is VOO taxed for NZ investors?⌄
US-domiciled ETFs sit in the FIF regime above NZ$50,000 cost base — most NZ investors apply the FDR method (5% of opening market value × marginal tax rate). Dividends carry 15% US withholding tax with a W-8BEN on file (claimable as a foreign tax credit). The NZX-listed Smartshares US 500 (USF) is a PIE-taxed alternative without FIF.
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