SuperLife Total World

This $30 million fund puts almost everything into a single US-listed Vanguard ETF that holds around 9,000 companies across developed and emerging markets, making it one of the most broadly diversified equity funds in New Zealand. It charges a total fee of 0.58 percent annually, sitting near the lower end of the international share category, and ranks 6th over five years with a 15.2 percent annualised return.

The structure is straightforward: the Vanguard Total World Stock ETF makes up 99.95 percent of the portfolio, with a sliver of cash held in an ANZ account. That single holding delivers exposure spanning US mega-caps, European industrials, Japanese manufacturers, and thousands of smaller firms across dozens of countries, all market-cap weighted. The fund is fully growth-oriented, with no bonds or defensive assets, and carries a risk level of 6.

Performance has been solid. The fund placed 11th over one year with an 18.6 percent return, climbed to 7th over three years at 23.1 percent annualised, and sits 6th over five years. The fee includes a 0.1 percent performance component, with the bulk of the cost coming from the 0.56 percent management charge. It is a high-conviction bet on global equity markets delivered through a single, diversified vehicle.

General information only, not financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.