Booster
Booster is a privately-held New Zealand financial services firm operating a KiwiSaver scheme, investment funds, superannuation, life insurance, and the Savvy debit card for over 200,000 New Zealand members, with proprietary NZX-listed specialist funds including BIF and PLPF.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Booster does
Booster Investment Management Limited is a privately-held New Zealand financial services company headquartered in Wellington, founded in 2001 and serving over 200,000 New Zealanders across KiwiSaver, direct investments, superannuation, and insurance. The company's flagship is the Booster KiwiSaver Scheme, a government-supported long-term savings product offering 14 fund options spanning Conservative through High Growth categories, including RIAA-certified socially responsible variants. Booster is a government-appointed default KiwiSaver provider, holding that designation since 2014 and reappointed in 2021, which provides a structural inflow of new members.
Booster's product stack is anchored by specialist proprietary investment funds unavailable through typical retail channels: the Tahi Fund (unlisted NZ SMEs), the Booster Innovation Fund (BIF, NZX-listed early-stage tech), and the Private Land and Property Fund (PLPF, NZX-listed agricultural and horticultural property). The firm has expanded into adjacent financial services including Booster SuperScheme with ROPS status for UK pension transfers, life insurance products (SmartCover and Super Simple Life Insurance), the Savvy debit card integrated with the Booster NZ app, and a free budgeting tool (mybudgetpal). Distribution is hybrid: direct digital via website and app, an extensive nationwide network of independent financial advisers, the regulatory default channel, and NZX-listed fund vehicles.
Revenue is generated primarily through annual fund charges ranging from 0.35% to 1.74% of net asset value depending on fund type and balance tier, a $3 monthly member fee (waived for balances under $500), performance-based fees of 1-2% on BIF and geared funds when returns exceed hurdles, and withdrawal charges of up to 10% on BIF. Booster Investment Management Limited is Kiwi-owned, holds Financial Advice Provider and Financial Institution licences, and operates exclusively within the New Zealand market.
Booster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Booster
- Legal name
- Booster Investment Management Limited
- Website
- https://booster.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Booster is a privately-held New Zealand financial services firm operating a KiwiSaver scheme, investment funds, superannuation, life insurance, and the Savvy debit card for over 200,000 New Zealand members, with proprietary NZX-listed specialist funds including BIF and PLPF.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Booster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retirement Savings & Investment Management
- NAICS
- Open-End Investment Funds (525910), Pension Funds (52511), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Life Insurance (6311)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fund Governance Support (Board/Trustee, Minutes, Policies, Oversight) (FSAAAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Impact Investment & Development Investment Funds (BPADACAO), Transition / Engagement & Stewardship Funds (FSANAJAO), Saving & Emergency Funds (EDAAAJAB)
Keywords
Where Booster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Booster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Annual Fund Charges: Annual fund charges are deducted directly from investment funds and include annual management fees, portfolio administration costs, and performance-based fees. Charges vary by fund, ranging from 0.35% to 1.74% of net asset value.
- Member Fees: Monthly member fee of $3 per month ($36 per year) for account administration, waived for balances under $500.
- Performance-based Fees: Performance-based fees charged on Booster Innovation Fund (BIF) when returns exceed hurdle rates. Fee ranges from 1-2% where investment return is 15-20% in a year. Also applies to Geared Growth funds.
- Withdrawal Charges: Withdrawal charges apply to certain funds. BIF charges up to 10% withdrawal charge. PLPF charges no exit fees on withdrawals up to $50,000 per year, with 1-5% fee for withdrawals over $50,000.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Default Saver Fund - lowest cost passive option |
| Subscription | Annual | Conservative Funds - lower risk, stable returns |
| Subscription | Annual | Balanced Funds - moderate growth |
| Subscription | Annual | Growth Funds - higher long-term returns |
| Subscription | Annual | High Growth Funds - maximum growth potential |
| Subscription | Annual | Geared Growth Funds - leveraged exposure |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Booster Innovation Fund - early-stage tech investments |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Private Land & Property Fund - agricultural/horticultural property |
| Freemium | Monthly | Accidental Death Cover - free for eligible members |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Booster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Booster is a New Zealand financial services firm that administers the government-supported Booster KiwiSaver Scheme (14 funds from Conservative to High Growth including socially responsible options) and Booster Investments platform, complemented by the Savvy debit card, Booster SuperScheme (ROPS-approved for UK pension transfers), life insurance products, and free budgeting tools. The company invests members' funds through proprietary NZ-focused vehicles including the Tahi Fund, NZX-listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF), and Private Land and Property Fund (PLPF), with services delivered directly online or through a nationwide network of independent financial advisers.
Product overview
Booster is a New Zealand financial services company offering a multi-product financial platform centred on the Booster KiwiSaver Scheme (14 fund options spanning Conservative to High Growth, including Socially Responsible variants) and Booster Investments (15+ funds with direct and adviser-accessible options). The product ecosystem includes a debit card (Savvy), superannuation (SuperScheme with ROPS status for UK pension transfers), insurance (SmartCover, SSLI, and free Accidental Death Cover for KiwiSaver members), a free budgeting tool (mybudgetpal), and three specialist investment funds: Tahi Fund (unlisted NZ company investments), Booster Innovation Fund (BIF, NZX-listed early-stage tech), and Private Land and Property Fund (PLPF, NZX-listed agricultural/horticultural property). Supplementary tools include a KiwiSaver Calculator, the Booster NZ App (all-in-one financial hub), and access to financial advisers. Booster positions itself as a Kiwi-owned provider with RIAA-certified ethical investment options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Savvy: Debit card product - Save and spend better with Savvy card
- Booster Innovation Fund (BIF)
- Private Land and Property Fund (PLPF)
- Tahi
- mybudgetpal
- Booster SuperScheme
- Booster Foundation
Products and services
- Booster KiwiSaver Scheme A New Zealand government-supported long-term savings and investment scheme offering 14 fund options across Conservative, Balanced, Growth, High Growth, and Socially Responsible categories, enabling members to save for first home purchase or retirement.
- Booster Investments
Quantifiable outcome
- Over NZ$5 billion in returns paid to members from Jan 2009 to Jan 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Booster
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Booster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Booster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Public TrustcorePublic Trust serves as the independent supervisor of the Booster KiwiSaver Scheme, making decisions on all financial hardship withdrawal applications. This is a regulatory requirement ensuring scheme oversight.
- NZ Innovation Booster (NZIB)corePartnership between Booster, Wellington UniVentures, Otago Innovation, and Auckland UniServices that directly invests in science and innovation from Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, and University of Auckland. Key vehicle for BIF's investment activities.
- Wellington UniVenturescoreTechnology transfer office of Victoria University of Wellington. Partner in NZ Innovation Booster (NZIB) joint venture for commercializing university research and innovation.
- Otago InnovationcoreTechnology transfer company of University of Otago. Partner in NZ Innovation Booster (NZIB) for commercializing university-born innovations.
- Auckland UniServicescoreCommercialization company of University of Auckland. Partner in NZ Innovation Booster (NZIB) for technology transfer and innovation investment.
- MoneyTalksminorPartnership with MoneyTalks free financial support service to help Booster members experiencing financial hardship. Provides referral pathway for members needing budgeting help, foodbank connections, and income support navigation.
- Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)coreRIAA provides independent certification of Booster's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds. Booster was the first KiwiSaver provider to receive this certification.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Booster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AMP New Zealand: Long-standing NZ wealth manager offering KiwiSaver, investment funds, superannuation, and insurance—broader incumbent with multi-decade history; directly comparable to Booster on KiwiSaver, managed funds, and life insurance product mix.
- Mercer New Zealand: Global asset manager and KiwiSaver scheme provider operating in NZ, offering KiwiSaver, superannuation, and investment solutions; broader incumbent with global institutional capabilities but directly comparable to Booster in the NZ KiwiSaver and advised superannuation market.
- ANZ Investments (ANZ KiwiSaver): Bank-owned KiwiSaver scheme and investment fund business of ANZ New Zealand, one of the largest default KiwiSaver providers; broader incumbent with greater scale and balance-sheet resources, but directly comparable on KiwiSaver product, distribution, and ethical fund range.
Direct peers
- SuperLife (Smartshares / NZX): NZ online superannuation and KiwiSaver scheme operated by Smartshares (NZX-owned), offering low-cost KiwiSaver, superannuation, and investment fund products—directly comparable to Booster on digital direct-to-consumer distribution and KiwiSaver/superannuation product overlap.
- Fisher Funds Management: One of the largest NZ-owned KiwiSaver and investment fund managers (acquired Kiwi Wealth in 2021), managing multi-billion-dollar AUM across KiwiSaver, direct investment, and superannuation products—directly comparable to Booster's core KiwiSaver + investment fund + SuperScheme offering for NZ retail investors.
- Generate KiwiSaver: NZ-focused KiwiSaver and investment fund specialist (Generate Investment Management), offering active and indexed KiwiSaver schemes plus managed investment funds—competing head-to-head with Booster for NZ KiwiSaver members and adviser-distributed investment flows.
- Simplicity (Simplicity KiwiSaver & Living): NZ low-cost KiwiSaver and investment fund manager, also offering life insurance and a home-loan scheme; competes directly with Booster on KiwiSaver fees, ethical investment options, and increasingly on insurance cross-sell—comparable product breadth and NZ-only footprint.
- Milford Asset Management: Major NZ KiwiSaver provider and active investment manager with a full range of KiwiSaver, investment fund, and superannuation products aimed at NZ retail and advised segments—closely comparable to Booster on product mix, distribution (adviser + direct), and KiwiSaver market positioning.
Others
Emerging players
- QuayStreet Asset Management: NZ boutique active investment manager offering KiwiSaver, managed funds, and superannuation products, distributed via advisers—comparable emerging player to Booster with similar boutique positioning and adviser channel focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Booster social profiles
Digital presenceBooster compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Booster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Booster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Booster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Booster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments23 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Booster
What does Booster do?
Booster is a New Zealand financial services firm that administers the government-supported Booster KiwiSaver Scheme (14 funds from Conservative to High Growth including socially responsible options) and Booster Investments platform, complemented by the Savvy debit card, Booster SuperScheme (ROPS-approved for UK pension transfers), life insurance products, and free budgeting tools. The company invests members' funds through proprietary NZ-focused vehicles including the Tahi Fund, NZX-listed Booster Innovation Fund (BIF), and Private Land and Property Fund (PLPF), with services delivered directly online or through a nationwide network of independent financial advisers.
Is Booster a public or private company?
Booster is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Booster founded?
Booster was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Booster based?
Booster is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Booster make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Annual Fund Charges are the primary driver. The others are member Fees, performance-based Fees and withdrawal Charges.
Who are Booster's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AMP New Zealand, Mercer New Zealand and ANZ Investments (ANZ KiwiSaver). Direct peers are SuperLife (Smartshares / NZX), Fisher Funds Management, Generate KiwiSaver, Simplicity (Simplicity KiwiSaver & Living) and Milford Asset Management. Nikko Asset Management NZ is listed as an others. QuayStreet Asset Management is listed as an emerging player.
Does Booster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Booster.
What industry is Booster in?
Booster's product category is Retirement Savings & Investment Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAAAMAH, Fund Governance Support (Board/Trustee, Minutes, Policies, Oversight), with a secondary code of BPADACAO, Impact Investment & Development Investment Funds. Its NAICS code is 525910 and its SIC code is 6282.