Updated Reviewed quarterly
VTI ETF: Total US Stock Market
TER0.03%·Yield (TTM)1.3%·DistributionQuarterly·NZ taxFIF (US-domiciled, > NZ$50K cost-basis)
Own the entire US stock market in one ETF. VTI holds over 4,000 stocks from large-cap giants to small-cap growth companies, all for just 0.03% fees.
VTI Key Stats (2026)
What is VTI ETF?
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, providing exposure to the entire US equity market. This includes large-, mid-, small-, and micro-cap stocks.
With over 4,000 holdings, VTI offers the broadest diversification of any single US equity ETF. You get exposure to companies of all sizes across all sectors of the American economy.
Market Cap Breakdown
- • Large-cap stocks: ~70%
- • Mid-cap stocks: ~20%
- • Small & micro-cap: ~10%
VTI vs VOO: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | VTI | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Holdings | 4,000+ | 500 |
| Small-Cap Exposure | Yes (~10%) | No |
| Dividend Yield | ~1.3% | ~1.4% |
| Historical Correlation | 99%+ (nearly identical returns) | |
The truth: VTI and VOO perform almost identically because VOO's 500 stocks represent about 80% of VTI's market cap. The main difference is philosophical — VTI gives you "the whole haystack" while VOO gives you "the biggest straws." For most Kiwi investors, either choice is excellent.
How to Buy VTI from New Zealand
Choose Your Platform
VTI is available on Hatch, Stake, Sharesies, and Interactive Brokers. IBKR offers the lowest fees for larger portfolios.
Fund & Convert Currency
Deposit NZD and convert to USD. Compare FX rates across platforms — this is often the biggest cost difference.
Buy VTI
Search for "VTI" and place your order. Current price is around US$290 per share. Fractional shares available on some platforms.
Why Kiwi Investors Choose VTI
Maximum Diversification
4,000+ stocks means you're not betting on individual companies. You own a slice of the entire US economy.
Rock-Bottom Fees
At 0.03%, VTI costs just $3 per year for every $10,000 invested. That's essentially free diversification.
Small-Cap Growth Potential
Unlike VOO, VTI includes small-cap stocks that may offer higher growth potential over long periods.
Set and Forget
VTI is a true "buy and hold forever" ETF. No need to rebalance between large and small caps.
NZ Tax Considerations for VTI
- FIF Rules: If your total foreign investments exceed NZ$50,000 (source) , you'll pay tax using the FDR method (5% of opening value) or CV method.
- Under $50k: Taxed on dividends only at your marginal rate, minus the 15% US withholding already paid.
- W-8BEN Form: Complete this to reduce US withholding tax from 30% (source) to 15% (source) under the tax treaty.
Explore VTI Platforms
Compare platforms for buying US ETFs from New Zealand
Related to VTI
VOO — S&P 500 only alternative
500 large caps vs VTI 3,700+ stocks.
VTI vs VOO comparison
When small/mid-cap inclusion matters.
SPY — most-liquid S&P 500
Highest-AUM US ETF.
How to buy US ETFs from NZ
Hatch, Stake, IB, Tiger.
FIF tax explained
When the FIF regime kicks in (NZ$50K threshold) + how it lands on your IR3.
NZ-listed ETFs (no FIF)
PIE-tax alternatives.
FAQ
Common questions about VTI
What is the VTI ETF?⌄
VTI is the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF — covering essentially the entire investable US equity market (~3,700 companies). 0.03% TER, ~US$400B AUM. Includes large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and micro-cap US stocks weighted by market capitalisation.
VTI vs VOO — what do you gain and lose?⌄
VOO holds ~500 large-cap US companies (the S&P 500). VTI holds ~3,700 US companies — adding mid, small, and micro caps. Same fee (0.03%). Historically the two have tracked closely because the S&P 500 dominates US market cap, but VTI gives a slightly broader US exposure. See our VTI vs VOO comparison.
Can NZ residents buy VTI?⌄
Yes — via Hatch, Stake, Sharesies (US market), and Interactive Brokers. Subject to NZ FIF rules above NZ$50,000 cost base; 15% US dividend withholding with a W-8BEN. No NZX-listed direct equivalent — Smartshares Total Global (TWE) is global rather than US-only.
Is VTI more diversified than VOO?⌄
VTI holds ~7× more securities than VOO and includes small caps that VOO doesn't. In practice the top 500 US companies dominate market-cap weighting, so VTI's actual return profile has tracked VOO closely. The diversification benefit is real but smaller than the holdings count suggests.
