To join the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme, you’ll need to have an existing Sharesies account and be over the age of 16; or if you have a kids account that is under the age of 16 you are able to sign up for Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme on their behalf. If you don’t currently have a Sharesies account, you can sign up on our website.
Grandparents or other relatives cannot open a Kids KiwiSaver account unless they are legal guardians. However, they can contribute to the account once it is set up by a parent or guardian.
Once you have a Sharesies account:
On the portfolio page, scroll down to ‘More ways to build wealth’ and tap ‘Join the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme’
answer some questions (what you’re looking to use your KiwiSaver for, and what type of funds you’re interested in)
Create your investment plan
accept the PDS.
If you have a Sharesies Kids account:
Switch profile to the Kids account
Click on “Join our KiwiSaver Scheme”
Verify you are the parent or legal guardian (you can use the birth certificate registration number, or contact us if you need to verify guardianship via a court order, or statutory declaration)
Create the investment plan for your Kid
Accept the PDS and confirm sign up
If you are 16 or 17 years old:
In order to sign up to the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme you’ll need your own Sharesies account (not a Kids account connected to your parent’s account). You also need consent from a legal guardian, which we will collect during the sign up process.
On the portfolio page, scroll down to ‘More ways to build wealth’ and tap ‘Join the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme’
Provide some details about your legal guardian so we can check with them that they consent to you joining the Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme.
Answer some questions (what you’re looking to use your KiwiSaver for, and what type of funds you’re interested in)
Create your investment plan
Accept the PDS and confirm sign up
We’ll contact your legal guardian and they’ll complete an ID check and confirm they consent to your sign up.
Once you’ve signed up we will complete the setup with the IRD - this process can take 5 working days. For new KiwiSaver members the IRD holds contributions for the first 62 days, after which they are passed through to be invested, as per the investment plan.
Additionally, Sharesies will notify Inland Revenue (IRD) and, if applicable, the current KiwiSaver provider to transfer funds. Transfers may take up to 10 working days. After the 62-day IRD hold period, contributions are invested the next morning around 9 AM.
When you first join a KiwiSaver scheme, you don’t have to make an initial or ongoing contribution. However, if you’re employed, there’s a minimum contribution of 3% which comes out of your pay and your employer will match your contributions up to a minimum of 3%. From 1 April 2026 the minimum contribution rate will increase to 3.5% and your employer will match your contributions up to a minimum of 3.5%. This will increase to 4% and your employer will match this from 1 April 2028.