Best Defensive funds · ranked on the data
Best Defensive KiwiSaver funds in NZ (2026)
Defensive funds keep your KiwiSaver close to cash-like. for first-home buyers within 1-2 years or people drawing down in retirement. Ranked on returns, fees, and stability.
General information only · Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance · Returns shown are historical (Morningstar Morningstar KiwiSaver 360, Q1 2026), net of fund fees at 28% PIR. For personal advice on which fund fits you, run our free Health Check or get in touch.
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How we ranked these
Our methodology
We rank Defensive-band KiwiSaver funds on annualised 5-year return after fees and 28% PIR.
Smiths is FAP-licensed (FSP712931) and gives advice on a defined panel of KiwiSaver schemes. We don't run our own scheme. We do receive an upfront fee plus a trail commission (0.25%–0.5%) from the scheme we move clients to, disclosed in full at smiths.net.nz/disclosure. The ranking on this page covers every scheme in NZ, regardless of whether it is on our panel. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. this is general information only.
Need a personal take?
We don't pick funds in the abstract.
Take the 90-second Health Check and we'll match you to the best fit for your timeframe, goals, and tax position from our advised panel, benchmarked against every fund in the directory.
Our directory covers every NZ KiwiSaver fund. Our advice panel is five schemes (ANZ, Booster, Fisher Funds, Generate, Milford); recommendations land on four funds across Milford and Booster — how we're paid →
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