New fund range answers adviser call for flexible KiwiSaver alternative
Booster’s Wealth Series is the Wellington-based fund manager’s answer for investors looking to combine a level of active management with competitive value.
Thursday, April 9th 2026, 10:17PM
The Wealth Series is Booster’s response to adviser feedback that customers want investment options that have a similar investment style to some of Booster KiwiSaver Scheme funds but without the lock-in constraints, says Booster Chief Executive Officer Diana Papadopoulos.
“We were hearing from advisers that when they are building a plan they want investment options that work well alongside KiwiSaver”.
Increasingly, KiwiSaver accounts are making up a large proportion of a client’s total assets.
“For clients that are used to saving through KiwiSaver but don’t want all of their savings tied up until they turn 65, the Wealth Series could be a natural fit.”
Like Booster KiwiSaver Scheme funds, the Wealth Series seeks broad-based diversification and includes allocations to unlisted assets.
Booster was an early adopter of an approach to responsible investing that excludes or limits some types of investments with its Socially Responsible (SR) range of funds. This same approach is applied to the Wealth Series with restrictions applied on investments in 15 controversial industries, from alcoholic beverages to whaling. Restrictions are subject to revenue thresholds.
“One compelling feature of our funds is that clients can achieve diversified exposure whilst also accessing specialist exposure to cutting-edge Kiwi technology investments in our Innovation Fund, and the primary sector through our Land and Property Fund”, says Papadopoulos.
The Wealth Series has just clocked up its first birthday having been seeded in March 2025 and is structured to align with the Booster KiwiSaver Scheme SR funds, reflecting similarities in underlying asset allocation and portfolio construction.
One structural pricing difference is worth noting. Booster KiwiSaver Scheme pricing for SR funds includes an embedded advice component of around 0.5% within the management fee. The Wealth Series, by contrast, is structured on the basis that advice is optional and paid for separately.
Morningstar has reported* Booster’s KiwiSaver SR High Growth Fund in first place for 10-year performance in the Aggressive category, delivering 10.5% vs a peer group average of 9.5%.
Unique to the KiwiSaver market is Booster’s Geared Growth fund which has also performed well, delivering 11.5% over the same period Papadopulos says this outcome aligns with Booster’s investment philosophy of delivering consistent, long-run performance.
“In line with Booster’s overall investment approach, the Wealth Series is aimed at delivering competitive risk adjusted results. So, we carefully seek to manage downside risk to help mitigate the impact on investor capital when markets fluctuate,” says Papadopoulos.
“The inclusion of a geared growth option in the Wealth Series has been very popular with Advisers. The application of some leverage has seen clients comfortable with a higher level of risk with the possibility of a higher reward. It’s great to now be offering a geared option outside of KiwiSaver as well.”
The Wealth Series includes 5 multisector funds ranging from Moderate to Aggressive that have all been certified by Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) according to the strict operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program.
Reflecting on adviser response to the offering, Papadopoulos said, “It’s pleasing to see Advisers actively recommending our Wealth Series funds on a regular basis, they have clearly met a real need.”
For more information go to www.booster.co.nz
*Ranked #1 by Morningstar NZ for 10-year performance in the Aggressive KiwiSaver category Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey, Q3 & Q4 2025. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Booster Investment Management Limited (BIML) is the issuer and manager of the Booster Investment Scheme (Scheme) which the Wealth Series is part of. Product Disclosure Statements for the Scheme are available at www.booster.co.nz
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