Fund researcher eyeing NZ

An Australian research house that specialises in analysing superannuation funds looks set to expand into New Zealand.

Monday, March 11th 2013, 6:00AM

by Niko Kloeten

SuperRatings, which was established in 2002 to provide research on the funds operating in Australia’s giant compulsory superannuation market, is rumoured to be about to launch on this side of the Tasman with a focus on KiwiSaver.

If it does arrive here it will add to a growing number of KiwiSaver research providers.

SuperRatings’s owner Financial Research Holdings also owns Lonsec, which has been in the New Zealand market for three years.

It is understood that Darren Howlin, research manager at Lonsec, will be lead SuperRatings in its impending New Zealand expansion.

Howlin confirmed that SuperRatings is investigating the New Zealand market but said he couldn’t provide further comment due to commercial sensitivity.

According to SuperRatings’ website, its ratings methodology for super funds seeks to cover more than 300 individual parts of a fund.

Its ratings system covers seven main assessment components including investment (performance, methodology), fees and charges, administration and advice, which includes member education and financial planning.

One aspect of Australian super funds that SuperRatings won’t have to look at in KiwiSaver is life insurance, which is a requirement for Australia’s super scheme investors but not for KiwiSavers.

Niko Kloeten can be contacted at niko@goodreturns.co.nz

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