Smiths Insurance and KiwiSaver
← All KiwiSaver funds
Kernel Kiwisaver Plan logo

Kernel Kiwisaver Plan

Kernel Nz Bond Fund

Defensive·KiwiSaver fund·Risk 3/7

The Smiths take

Kernel Nz Bond Fund Smiths Rating B

Smiths' editorial rating, our internal opinion based on 10-year returns, fees, and risk band fit. Not a formal credit rating or regulated star rating.

Smiths reviews this fund against every other defensive option in NZ on net-of-fees returns, total fees, and band fit. The full Sorted snapshot is below.

General information only · Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance · For personal advice please contact us.

At a glance

This fund is for investors seeking

Three quick reads for whether the Kernel Nz Bond Fund fits your situation.

A 1+ year timeframe

This is a defensive KiwiSaver fund. The provider's recommended minimum holding period sits in the 1+ year range.

A moderate-risk investment

Sorted's risk indicator places this at 3 on a 1–7 scale. Smaller swings, lower long-term returns.

Mostly income assets

0% growth assets (shares, property) and 100% income assets (bonds, cash). Spread across multiple asset classes.

Snapshot

The headline numbers

Mix

0.00% / 100.00%

Growth / Income · avg 0.36% / 99.64%

Fees

0.40%

$120 on $30k · avg 1.22%

What the provider says

In their own words

The Kernel NZ Bond Fund aims to equal or exceed the return (before fees and taxes) of the Bloomberg NZ Bond Composite 0+ Yr Index by investing mostly in New Zealand fixed interest-bearing assets.
Fund start date
29 July 2024
Withdrawal rules
This is a KiwiSaver fund. generally you can withdraw only to purchase a first home, after the age of 65, or in cases of significant financial hardship.

Asset mix

What this fund actually holds

Growth assets are 0.00% of the fund, income assets the rest. The mix is the latest snapshot from Sorted, with the average for this risk band's KiwiSaver funds shown alongside.

  • Shares
    this fund
    avg

    0.00%

    avg 0.23%

  • Property
    this fund
    avg

    0.00%

    avg 0.14%

  • Other
    this fund
    avg

    0.00%

    avg 0.00%

  • Bonds
    this fund
    avg

    92.34%

    avg 50.54%

  • Cash
    this fund
    avg

    7.66%

    avg 49.09%

What it owns

Top 10 holdings. 59.13% of the fund

The rest is spread across hundreds of other positions. Full holdings live in the provider's portfolio file.

  • Nzgs 4.25% 15/05/2034

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    16.26%
  • Nzgs 5.00% 15/05/2054

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    7.79%
  • Nzgs 4.25% 15/05/2036

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    7.00%
  • Nz Lgfa 4.50% 14/05/2032

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    5.56%
  • Nzgs 1.50% 15/05/2031

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    5.33%
  • Nzgs 3.00% 20/09/2030

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    3.96%
  • Dunedin City Treasury 5.55% 15/11/2028

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    3.84%
  • Watercare Services Ltd 3.847% 30 Sep 2030

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    3.62%
  • Wellington Intl Airport 3.32% 24/09/2031

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    3.59%
  • Kiwi Property Group 2.85% 19/07/2028

    Bonds

    New Zealand Fixed Interest
    NZ
    2.18%

Fees breakdown

What you actually pay

Modelled on a $30,000 balance held for one full year. Each line shows this fund's % and dollar cost vs. the average for funds in the same risk band.

  • Management

    Charged by the fund manager, % of your balance.

    0.40%

    avg 0.47%

    $120

    avg $140

    0.07%
  • Other

    Other potential costs not in the categories below.

    0.00%

    avg 0.23%

    -

    avg -

    0.23%
  • Performance-based

    Higher when the fund (or underlying fund) performs well.

    0.00%

    avg -

    $0

    avg -

  • Membership

    A flat annual fee, regardless of balance or performance.

    0.00%

    avg 0.05%

    $0

    avg $15

    0.05%

Total combined fees

Doesn't include fees for one-off activities like transferring or withdrawing.

0.40%

avg 1.22%

$120

avg $366

0.82%

Risk indicator

Sorted risk rating: 3 of 7

The Sorted risk indicator is calculated from the last 5 years of price volatility. Higher = more ups and downs but typically higher long-term returns.

Lower risk · lower returnsHigher risk · higher returns
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Fund details

The unsexy stats that matter

Total fund value
$496,073
Members
49
Asset liquidity ratio
100.00%
Debt ratio
0.05%
Default KiwiSaver fund
No
Fund reference
FND49790

Manager

Kernel Kiwisaver Plan

Licensed with the Financial Markets Authority.

NZBN
9429047045989
FSP number
FSP644609

Smiths Health Check

Is the Kernel Nz Bond Fund actually the right fund for you?

Take the 90-second Health Check. We'll grade your current setup, tell you what it's costing you, and recommend the best fit from our advised panel, benchmarked against every fund in the directory, not just kernel.

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 →

Run free Health Check
Data: Sorted Smart Investor. Returns, fees and holdings refresh quarterly. General information only. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.