Fisher Funds
NegativeEstablished 1998 · 17 funds
Best 5yr
7.3% pa
Fees from
0.37% pa
Sentiment
38/100
AUM
$18.9B
Community Sentiment
Sentiment around Fisher Funds KiwiSaver is cautiously negative, driven mainly by growing scrutiny over whether the provider's higher active-management fees are justified by its investment returns, which rank in the middle of the pack among growth funds over five years. Recent media coverage has been pointed — including a dedicated investigative piece — and broader industry reporting has amplified comparisons between active and passive managers that reflect poorly on Fisher Funds' value proposition. On the positive side, the firm's longer-term return record draws some recognition from Morningstar, and a senior executive's appointment as Retirement Commissioner has been welcomed as a mark of credibility. Investors considering Fisher Funds are encouraged to weigh its fee structure carefully against performance data before committing.
- Fisher Funds charges higher-than-average fees compared to passive KiwiSaver providers, and many community voices question whether the active management premium translates into meaningfully better returns.
- Over a five-year period, Fisher Funds' growth fund returned approximately 7% per year after fees, ranking around 12th out of 27 comparable funds — a middling result that fuels concerns about value for money.
- Morningstar's December 2025 survey placed certain Fisher Funds options near the top of their peer group for longer-term return rankings, suggesting stronger performance over extended time horizons.
- Fisher Funds faced operational scrutiny after a surge in KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal applications, leading the provider to make staffing changes to its hardship processing team.
- The firm is making a renewed push to re-engage independent financial advisers after reportedly neglecting this channel for several years, signalling a strategic shift in how it reaches potential members.
Sentiment Overview
Score: 38/100
Based on social media, reviews, and news mentions
Example Fund
Fisher TWO Scheme-Eq
Fisher Funds is one of New Zealand's largest independent investment management firms, managing over $25 billion for nearly 500,000 New Zealand investors. Founded in 1998, the company specializes in active, in-house portfolio management across KiwiSaver schemes, managed funds, and listed investment companies. Rather than using passive index tracking, Fisher Funds employs a 'Smart Active Investment Management' approach with an experienced in-house research team focused on quality companies and long-term compounding returns.
Contact Details
Website: https://www.fisherfunds.co.nz
| Fund Name | Type | Risk | 1yr | 3yr | 5yr | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher Funds Plan Aggressive | aggressive | — | — | — | 1.23% | |
| Fisher Funds Balanced Fund | balanced | — | — | — | 0.99% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Balanced | balanced | 5.6% | 10.5% | 5.4% | 1.10% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Default | balanced | 10.7% | 12.6% | — | 0.37% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Cash | cash | 3.8% | 5.0% | 3.5% | 0.45% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Def Conserv | conservative | 4.8% | 7.7% | 3.8% | 0.51% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Growth | growth | 5.2% | 12.1% | 7.0% | 1.20% | |
| Fisher Funds Conservative Fund | miscellaneous | 4.9% | 7.1% | 2.7% | 0.93% | |
| Fisher Funds Growth Fund | miscellaneous | 5.2% | 12.1% | 5.9% | 1.12% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan CashPlus | miscellaneous | 3.7% | 4.7% | 2.0% | 0.45% | |
| Fisher TWO Cash Enhanced | miscellaneous | 4.9% | 7.5% | 3.1% | 0.52% | |
| Fisher TWO Scheme-Bal | miscellaneous | 5.6% | 10.2% | 4.7% | 0.94% | |
| Fisher TWO Scheme-Cnsrv | miscellaneous | 4.9% | 7.2% | 2.7% | 0.93% | |
| Fisher TWO Scheme-Eq | miscellaneous | 5.2% | 14.3% | 7.3% | 1.14% | |
| Fisher TWO Scheme-Gr | miscellaneous | 5.2% | 11.3% | 6.6% | 1.12% | |
| Fisher TWO Scheme-Presv | miscellaneous | 3.6% | 4.9% | 3.1% | 0.61% | |
| Fisher Funds Plan Cnsrv | moderate | 5.0% | 7.8% | 3.0% | 0.87% |
Fisher TWO Scheme-Eq — Historical Returns
Dashed line = category averagePast performance is not indicative of future returns. Returns shown net of fees.
Sentiment Timeline
Licensed financial advisory firms that work with Fisher Funds KiwiSaver funds.