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Blog > Kiwi Investor or Kiwi Saver: Beyond Conservative, Balanced, and Growth

Kiwi Investor or Kiwi Saver: Beyond Conservative, Balanced, and Growth

6 Mar 2025

When most people think of KiwiSaver, they often picture the traditional conservative, balanced, and growth funds. While these options are the backbone of many investment portfolios, your KiwiSaver investment offers a world of opportunities that go beyond these conventional choices.  

Remember – KiwiSaver is likely to be the largest investment account you have – so it’s better to think of it as KiwiInvestor rather than KiwiSaver!

You can either be a Kiwi Saver, simply saving for the future, or a Kiwi Investor, actively growing your wealth. By adopting an investor mindset, you're not just preserving your funds—you’re making strategic decisions to ensure a prosperous retirement. Take charge of your financial future and become a KiwiInvestor today! 

 

The Savers Version of KiwiSaver Investments

KiwiSaver terms can be boring, you’ve probably already heard about the growth, balanced, and conservative funds. These are the more traditional types of KiwiSaver investments, catering to various risk levels and life stages – designed like a bank savings account with the intention of leaving them alone and not really thinking too hard about them.

  • Growth Funds: These funds focus on maximising long-term returns by investing predominantly in growth assets like shares. They come with higher risk and are suitable for those with a longer investment horizon, willing to ride out market fluctuations. 

  • Balanced Funds: These funds offer a mix of growth and income assets, aiming for a balance between risk and return. They are designed for investors seeking moderate growth with a medium level of risk, typically suitable for those with a medium-term investment horizon. 

  • Conservative Funds: These funds prioritise capital preservation and stability, investing mainly in income assets such as bonds and cash. They come with lower risk and are suitable for those closer to retirement or with a lower risk tolerance, seeking to protect their savings from market volatility. 

  • For those under 55 with a higher risk appetite, an aggressive fund option is also available. These types of funds seek to maximise returns through a dynamic investment strategy, focusing heavily on growth assets. It's designed for investors who are comfortable with higher levels of risk in exchange for the potential for higher returns. 

 

The Investors Version of KiwiSaver 

By shifting to the view of a KiwiInvester, you can take a more proactive approach to your retirement savings by focusing on investment opportunities that align with your financial goals and personal interests. By exploring regional and specialty funds, as well as socially responsible investment strategies, you can diversify your portfolio, reduce risk, and maximise returns.  

  • Regional Funds: Regional funds target specific geographic areas to boost economic growth. For KiwiSaver members, these funds provide diversification and potential for long-term returns. By investing in different regions, you can benefit from unique market opportunities. Kōura Wealth offers regional funds like NZ Equities, US Equities, Emerging Markets, and Rest of World to help secure your financial future. Learn more about our regional funds here. 
  • Specialty Funds: Sometimes, you want your investments to reflect your interests. Specialty funds offer the opportunity to invest in specific sectors or themes, such as technology, property, or sustainable energy. By tailoring your portfolio to your interests, you can align your financial growth with the areas you're most passionate about. At Kōura, we currently offer four different speciality funds: the Kōura Bitcoin Fund, Clean Energy Fund, Property Fund, and Strategic High Growth Fund. Learn more about each of our speciality funds here.
  • Socially Responsible Investing: At Kōura Wealth we understand the importance of aligning your investments with your values. Our funds and investment strategies aim to deliver financial returns whilst also supporting ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. Though we rely on external funds and face limitations, we strive to influence positive corporate behaviour. Our Investment Committee reviews our ESG adherence annually, ensuring continuous improvement in our responsible investing practices.

    *As of the date of this blog, all investments are made in accordance with the Kōura responsible investing policy. For more information on our responsible investing, visit https://www.kourawealth.co.nz/esg.

 

The Power of Diversification: Why It Matters 

Reducing Risk: Diversification helps spread your investments across various asset classes, reducing the impact of market volatility. By not putting all your eggs in one basket, you can mitigate the risk associated with any single investment. 

Maximising Returns: A well-diversified portfolio can capture opportunities across different sectors and asset types. This approach allows you to benefit from the potential growth of various investments, increasing your chances of achieving higher returns. 

Adapting to Market Changes: Markets are constantly evolving, and diversification helps you stay adaptable. By having a mix of investments, you can better navigate changing market conditions and take advantage of emerging opportunities. 

 

Why Choose Kōura Wealth for Your KiwiSaver Investment Journey? 

At Kōura Wealth, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of KiwiSaver investment funds designed to meet the needs of every investor. Whether you're looking for stability, higher returns, ethical investments, or more specialised portfolios, we have a plan for you!  

 

Take the Next Step 

Ready to explore the full potential of your KiwiSaver account? Check out our Guided Choice Tool  to build the perfect KiwiSaver plan that matches for your financial goals. Let Kōura Wealth help you unlock the diversity and opportunity that your KiwiSaver investment has to offer. 

 

*Kōura Wealth Limited is the issuer and manager of the Kōura KiwiSaver Scheme. A copy of the Product Disclosure Statement is available at kourawealth.co.nz/documents.  

*This content is for informational purposes and should not be considered financial advice. Before making any financial decisions, consider consulting a financial adviser. 

*Bitcoin is highly volatile and not suitable for all investors. Before investing part of your KiwiSaver balance in the Bitcoin fund, ensure you fully understand the risks associated with cryptocurrencies: https://shorturl.at/U6Mkp, and/or consider seeking financial advice.