Sharesies NZ Review 2026: Fees, Crypto, App, Debit Card and Investment Guide
March 10, 2026
Sharesies has fundamentally changed how New Zealanders invest. Since launching in Wellington in 2017, Sharesies NZ has grown from a scrappy startup with six ETFs to a comprehensive wealth platform serving more than 880,000 investors across New Zealand and Australia. For many Kiwis, it was the first time investing in the sharemarket felt accessible, affordable, and genuinely achievable.
During our February-March 2026 testing of Sharesies NZ, we evaluated the platform across every dimension: account setup, trading experience, fee structures, the new Sharesies debit card, crypto functionality, withdrawals, and customer support responsiveness. This review consolidates our findings into a practical, honest guide for anyone considering whether Sharesies is worth it – and for existing users wanting to get more out of the platform.
Today, Sharesies offers investing across NZX, ASX, and US markets; a Mastercard-linked debit spend card; cryptocurrency trading; a KiwiSaver scheme; and a savings account. It is no longer just a share investing app – it is positioning itself as a full personal wealth hub.
| Feature | Details |
| Platform | Sharesies NZ (Sharesies Limited) |
| Founded | 2017, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Co-CEOs (3EO) | Brooke Roberts, Leighton Roberts, Sonya Williams |
| Minimum investment | $0.01 (one cent) |
| Monthly plans | Free (pay-as-you-go), $3, $7, or $15/month; $1/month for Kids |
| Transaction fee (no plan) | 1.9% per order (capped by market) |
| Crypto support | Yes – Bitcoin, Ethereum and others; 0.8% transaction fee |
| Debit card | Sharesies Debit Mastercard (1% Investback on eligible purchases) |
| Regulated by | FMA (Financial Markets Authority, New Zealand) |
| Markets available | NZX, ASX, NYSE, Nasdaq, CBOE |
What Is Sharesies NZ and How Does Sharesies Work?
What is Sharesies NZ? Put simply, it is New Zealand’s most widely used retail investment platform, enabling individuals to buy fractional shares, ETFs, managed funds, and now cryptocurrency – all from a mobile app or web browser, with no minimum balance requirement.
Who owns Sharesies? Sharesies Limited is the entity behind the platform, co-founded by seven people in 2017. The company is led by a unique three-way executive team – Brooke Roberts, Leighton Roberts, and Sonya Williams – who collectively use the title “3EO” (Three Executive Officers) rather than a single CEO. It is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand.
How does Sharesies make money? Sharesies generates revenue through transaction fees on buy and sell orders, monthly subscription plans, currency exchange fees (0.5% on NZD/USD and NZD/AUD conversions), crypto transaction fees (0.8%), share transfer fees, and the annual Spend card account fee.
How Sharesies Works – Step by Step
- Sign up at sharesies.nz or download the Sharesies app (iOS or Android) and complete the identity verification process (usually takes under 10 minutes).
- Fund your Wallet by transferring NZD from your NZ bank account via online banking, or by card (card processing fees apply).
- Choose your investments – browse NZX, ASX, or US-listed shares, ETFs, managed funds, or crypto directly within the app.
- Place a buy order – Sharesies automatically handles currency conversion if you’re buying international assets.
- Monitor your portfolio – view live performance, dividends, and investment breakdowns in the dashboard.
- Set up auto-invest to invest a fixed amount regularly without manual input.
- Withdraw by selling investments and transferring NZD back to your bank account (typically 1-2 business days).
Sharesies Account Types and Plans
Sharesies NZ offers several account structures designed to suit different life stages and investing styles.
Account Types Available
- Individual Account – The standard Sharesies account for adult investors. Access to all NZX, ASX, and US investments, crypto, KiwiSaver, Sharesies Save, and the debit card.
- Kids Account (Sharesies for Kids) – A custodial investing account managed by a parent or guardian on behalf of a child. Only a $1/month kids plan is available; auto-invest orders are limited to a curated set of age-appropriate options.
- Joint Account – Allows two account holders to invest and manage a shared portfolio together. Both parties must complete ID verification.
- Sharesies Save – A high-interest savings account linked to your Sharesies Wallet. Interest is calculated daily, paid monthly, with no fees, no fixed terms, and no withdrawal restrictions. The interest rate is variable and linked to the NZ Official Cash Rate.
- KiwiSaver via Sharesies – The Sharesies KiwiSaver Scheme offers nine base funds plus the ability to self-select individual picks. Annual fund charges vary by fund.
Sharesies Plans Comparison
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Buy/Sell Coverage | Auto-Invest Coverage | Extras |
| No plan (pay-as-you-go) | $0 | 1.9% per order (capped) | 1.9% per order (capped) | None |
| $3 Plan | $3 | $500 NZD of orders covered | $1,000 NZD of auto-invest covered | – |
| $7 Plan | $7 | $1,500 NZD of orders covered | $3,000 NZD of auto-invest covered | – |
| $15 Plan | $15 | Larger coverage | Larger coverage | NZX market depth access |
| $1 Kids Plan | $1 | Proportional to plan | Auto-invest coverage included | Monthly only; Kids Accounts only |
Plans can be paid monthly or annually (annual payment offers a saving). Plans can be changed or cancelled at any time with no cancellation fee.
Based on our analysis of Sharesies fees and plans, the $3/month plan becomes worthwhile if you invest more than approximately $157 NZD per month in listed investments. Below that threshold, pay-as-you-go with the 1.9% capped fee is often cheaper.
Sharesies Fees Explained
Sharesies fees NZ follow a layered structure: a transaction fee per order, a currency exchange fee when converting between currencies, optional monthly plan fees, and specific fees for crypto and debit card usage.
Full Sharesies Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
| Transaction fee (no plan) | 1.9% per order | Applied to buy and sell orders |
| NZX order cap | $25 NZD per order | Max transaction fee for NZ shares |
| ASX order cap | AU$15 per order | Max for Australian shares |
| US market order cap | US$5 per order | Max for US shares/ETFs |
| Currency exchange fee | 0.5% | Applies on NZD ↔ USD and NZD ↔ AUD conversions |
| Crypto transaction fee | 0.8% | Per buy or sell order; no caps |
| Crypto currency exchange | 0.5% | Charged when converting NZD to USD for crypto |
| Managed fund fee | None (Sharesies) | Fund provider charges separately via unit price |
| Spend card annual fee | $12/year (on a plan) or $25/year (no plan) | Waived initially post-launch |
| Overseas card transactions | 0.5% FX fee | Applied on foreign currency card purchases |
| ATM withdrawals (Spend card) | 3 free/month; $5 each after | Additional ATM provider fees may also apply |
| Share transfer fee (NZX out) | $15 per investment | To transfer to your own CSN |
| Share transfer between Sharesies accounts | $50 for up to 25 investments | Temporarily waived for NZ→AU transfers until June 2026 |
Sharesies brokerage fees are competitive for small-to-moderate orders. For a $1,000 NZD buy order in a US stock (no plan), the total cost including transaction and FX fees is around $24.43 NZD based on publicly available fee examples from Sharesies’ own pricing page.
Sharesies crypto fees are slightly higher than its standard equity fees – the 0.8% crypto transaction fee plus the 0.5% FX conversion can combine to a meaningful cost on larger orders. There are no caps on crypto fees, which is worth noting for high-volume crypto traders.
Sharesies App Review
Our team tested the Sharesies app on iPhone and Android throughout February and March 2026, and found it to be one of the most polished retail investing apps in the New Zealand market. The interface is clean, friendly, and deliberately designed to reduce financial anxiety – something that sets it apart from traditional brokerage platforms.
Sharesies Login Process
Accessing your Sharesies login is straightforward: open the app, enter your registered email and password, then confirm via two-factor authentication (2FA). The Sharesies NZ login via the web at sharesies.nz follows the same flow. We found login times to be consistently fast, with 2FA codes arriving via SMS or email within seconds.
Key Sharesies App Features
- Portfolio dashboard – Real-time portfolio value, individual investment breakdowns, and return metrics visible on the home screen
- Investment search – Filter by market (NZ, AU, US), asset type, sector, or keyword; results load quickly
- Buy/sell flow – Order placement is clean with fee previews shown before confirmation
- Auto-invest setup – Configure recurring investments in 2-3 taps; customisable by frequency and amount
- Sharesies Save – Accessible directly in the app; shows current interest rate and accrued interest
- KiwiSaver – View KiwiSaver balance and investment plan alongside your portfolio
- Spend card controls – Freeze/unfreeze card, enable/disable online payments, view Investback earnings
- Crypto – Buy and sell supported cryptocurrencies in the same interface as shares
- Notifications – Customisable alerts for price movements, order confirmations, and deposits
- Learn section – In-app educational content for beginners
App performance: During testing on both iOS and Android, the app loaded quickly on standard 4G connections. No crashes or significant bugs were encountered. The design language is consistent across platforms, with a bright, approachable aesthetic.
Sharesies Debit Card and Spend Features
The Sharesies Debit Mastercard was one of the most anticipated product launches in New Zealand fintech in 2025. The Sharesies Debit Mastercard launch attracted over 30,000 waitlist signups, with 6,000 beta testers getting early access before the full rollout.
How the Sharesies Spend Card Works
The Sharesies spend card is a physical and virtual Mastercard debit card linked to a separate Spend wallet within the Sharesies app. Users top up the Spend account from their Sharesies Wallet (funded via bank transfer), then use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted – in-store, online, or at ATMs.
The signature feature is Investback: users earn 1% of eligible spending, automatically invested weekly into a nominated investment of their choice. There are no caps or minimums on Investback earnings.
Sharesies Spend Card Feature Comparison
| Feature | Details |
| Card type | Sharesies Debit Mastercard (issued by Change Labs NZ via Mastercard licence) |
| Investback rate | 1% of eligible purchases, invested weekly |
| Annual fee | $12/year (on a Sharesies plan) or $25/year (no plan) |
| Foreign currency fee | 0.5% on overseas purchases |
| ATM withdrawals | 3 free per month; $5 per withdrawal after |
| Card controls | Freeze/unfreeze, toggle online payments on/off |
| Virtual card | Yes – unique virtual account number included |
| Security | 24/7 fraud monitoring, 2FA, Mastercard Zero Liability Protection |
| Direct debits | Not supported |
| Transfers to external bank | Not directly; transfer to Wallet first |
Important: The Spend account can only hold NZD. Other currencies in your Wallet must be exchanged to NZD before transferring to Spend.
After completing several deposits and withdrawals on Sharesies during our testing, we found the Spend card top-up process (via bank transfer to the virtual account number) to be fast – typically settling within 1-2 hours during business hours. The Investback feature worked as described, with weekly investment credits appearing reliably.
Sharesies Crypto Trading
Sharesies cryptocurrency trading was introduced to bring digital assets into the same unified wealth platform alongside shares and ETFs. Users can now buy, sell, and hold crypto directly within the Sharesies app – no separate exchange account needed.
Can you buy Bitcoin on Sharesies? Yes. Bitcoin Sharesies support is live, alongside several other major cryptocurrencies. All crypto is priced in USD, and NZD is automatically converted at a 0.5% FX fee when placing orders.
Supported Cryptocurrencies on Sharesies (as of early 2026)
| Cryptocurrency | Symbol | Notes |
| Bitcoin | BTC | Most widely held crypto on the platform |
| Ethereum | ETH | Second-largest by market cap |
| Solana | SOL | High-performance blockchain |
| XRP | XRP | Cross-border payment token |
| Cardano | ADA | Proof-of-stake blockchain |
| Other altcoins | Various | Platform continues to expand crypto offering |
Note: The full list of supported tokens is updated periodically. Check the Sharesies app or sharesies.nz for the current catalogue.
Sharesies Crypto Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
| Crypto transaction fee | 0.8% per order (buy or sell) |
| Currency exchange (NZD to USD) | 0.5% |
| Total approximate cost on a $1,000 NZD crypto buy | ~1.3% combined |
| Fee cap | None – no caps apply to crypto fees |
| Plan coverage | Crypto orders do NOT count toward monthly plan coverage |
Sharesies crypto fees are higher than some dedicated exchanges (e.g. Easy Crypto NZ or Binance), but the trade-off is convenience – holding crypto in the same wallet and dashboard as your shares and KiwiSaver is a compelling feature for consolidation-focused investors.
How to Invest Using Sharesies
How to invest in Sharesies follows a logical, beginner-friendly process. Here is a step-by-step guide based on our hands-on use of the platform.
Step-by-Step Investment Guide
- Open a Sharesies account – Visit sharesies.nz or download the Sharesies app. Provide your name, email, date of birth, IRD number, and complete ID verification (NZ passport or driver’s licence recommended for fastest approval).
- Deposit funds – Transfer NZD from your bank account to your Sharesies Wallet. Instant bank transfers are available and typically settle within an hour.
- Choose a plan (optional) – If you plan to invest more than ~$157/month, consider a $3 or $7 monthly plan to reduce per-order fees.
- Select an investment type:
- Sharesies index funds (via Smartshares ETFs on NZX) – diversified, low-cost, ideal for beginners
- Individual NZ shares – companies like Air New Zealand, Spark, or Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
- ASX/US shares or ETFs – international diversification via a single platform
- Managed funds – Pathfinder, AMP Capital, and others available with no transaction fees
- Cryptocurrency – Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others (separate FX and transaction fees apply)
- Place a buy order – Enter the NZD amount you want to invest (fractional shares are supported), review the fee summary, and confirm.
- Receive order confirmation – Orders for NZX shares are typically placed during NZX trading hours. US and ASX orders follow respective market hours.
- Track your portfolio – Monitor performance, dividends, and allocations from the portfolio dashboard.
What to Invest in on Sharesies (Popular Options)
- Smartshares NZ Top 50 ETF (FNZ) – broad NZX exposure, low management fee
- US 500 Fund – exposure to 500 largest US companies
- Pathfinder ESG funds – ethical investing options
- Air New Zealand (AIR) – the most widely held individual stock on Sharesies
- S&P 500 ETFs listed on US exchanges – efficient global diversification
- Bitcoin (BTC) – accessible via the crypto section for digital asset exposure
Auto Invest and Long-Term Investing
Auto invest Sharesies is one of the platform’s most powerful features for building long-term wealth. It enables investors to automate recurring buy orders into selected investments – removing the emotional and logistical barrier of manual investing.
How to Set Up Auto Invest on Sharesies
- Navigate to the Auto-invest section of the app.
- Select the investment(s) you want to invest in regularly.
- Set the investment amount and frequency (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly).
- Confirm the order – Sharesies will automatically execute purchases on the scheduled dates.
Auto-invest orders receive higher plan coverage than manual orders (e.g., on the $3 plan, $1,000/month of auto-invest is covered vs $500/month of manual orders), making it more cost-effective for regular savers.
Long-Term Investing Strategies on Sharesies
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) – Use auto-invest to buy a fixed dollar amount regularly, smoothing out market volatility over time
- Index-first approach – Start with NZX or US index ETFs for diversification before moving to individual stocks
- Dividend reinvestment – Dividends paid into your Wallet can be reinvested manually or via auto-invest
- Goal-based investing – Use Sharesies Save for short-term goals and share investments for 5-10+ year horizons
- Kids Account compounding – Starting a Kids Account early allows compound returns to build over a child’s lifetime
- Crypto as a satellite allocation – Some investors hold 5-10% of their Sharesies portfolio in crypto as a higher-risk growth component
Withdrawals and Transfers
How to withdraw from Sharesies is a common question, particularly for new investors. The process involves selling your investments, waiting for settlement, then transferring NZD to your bank account.
Sharesies Withdrawal Process
- Sell your crypto currency – Place a sell order in the app. Settlement time varies by market (NZX: T+2, ASX: T+2, US: T+1 to T+2).
- Funds appear in Wallet – After settlement, proceeds appear as NZD in your Sharesies Wallet.
- Initiate withdrawal – Navigate to Wallet > Withdraw and enter the amount and your bank account number.
- Bank transfer – Funds typically arrive in your bank account within 1-2 business days.
Withdrawal and Transfer Summary
| Action | Timeframe | Fee |
| Sell NZX shares (settlement) | T+2 business days | Transaction fee applies |
| Sell US/ASX shares (settlement) | T+1 to T+2 business days | Transaction + FX fee applies |
| Wallet to bank account withdrawal | 1-2 business days | Free |
| Spend card to Wallet transfer | Near-instant | Free |
| Transfer NZX shares out (to own CSN) | Variable | $15 per investment |
| Transfer between Sharesies accounts (NZ→AU) | Variable | Waived until June 30, 2026 |
| ATM withdrawal (Spend card) | Immediate | 3 free/month; $5 after |
After completing several deposits and withdrawals on Sharesies during our February-March 2026 testing, we found the wallet-to-bank withdrawal process to be consistent with the stated 1-2 business day timeframe. There were no unexpected holds or issues for standard-sized transactions.
Sharesies vs Other Platforms
Choosing between New Zealand’s investment platforms depends heavily on your investing style, frequency, and preferred markets. Here is how Sharesies stacks up against its main competitors.
Platform Comparison Table
| Feature | Sharesies | Hatch | Stake | Kernel | Tiger Trade (Tiger Brokers NZ) |
| NZX access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ (via index funds only) | ✅ Yes |
| ASX access | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| US market access | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fractional shares | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | N/A | ❌ Limited |
| Crypto | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Minimum investment | $0.01 | US$1 | US$1 | $1 NZD | Varies |
| Monthly plans | ✅ Yes (from $3) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Debit card | ✅ Yes (Mastercard) | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| KiwiSaver | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Kids account | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| FX fee | 0.5% | ~0.5% | ~0.5-0.7% | N/A | Competitive |
| Primary strength | All-in-one platform | US stocks focus | AU/US focus | NZ index funds | Lower brokerage for larger trades |
Sharesies vs Hatch: Hatch focuses exclusively on US markets with a clean interface. It is better for US-only investors who trade in larger amounts, but lacks NZX access, crypto, a debit card, and KiwiSaver.
Stake vs Sharesies: Stake covers both ASX and US markets and appeals to more active traders. It lacks the breadth of Sharesies’ NZ-market features and community tools.
Kernel vs Sharesies: Kernel specialises in low-cost NZ and global index funds with a passive-first philosophy. For pure index-fund investors, Kernel’s management fees can be competitive. Sharesies offers more flexibility and market access.
Tiger Trade vs Sharesies: Tiger Brokers NZ (Tiger Trade) targets active traders wanting lower brokerage on higher-volume trades, with access to NZ, AU, and US markets. It lacks the retail-focused UX, educational resources, and all-in-one wealth features of Sharesies.
Is Sharesies Safe and Legit?
Is Sharesies safe? Yes – with important caveats on what “safe” means in an investing context.
Regulation and Compliance
- Sharesies Limited is registered as a Financial Service Provider (FSP550746) in New Zealand and is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).
- Sharesies is an accredited participant on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX).
- Sharesies Financial Limited (which operates the Spend/debit card service) is a separate registered FSP (FSP1008642).
- The company holds a B Corporation certification, demonstrating adherence to social and environmental standards.
How Your Investments Are Protected
- Custodial model: Sharesies holds investments on your behalf through a custodial structure, meaning the shares are registered in Sharesies’ name as custodian but beneficially owned by you. Your holdings are separate from Sharesies’ own corporate assets.
- No government guarantee: Unlike bank deposits, investments in shares, ETFs, or crypto are not covered by the New Zealand government’s deposit guarantee scheme.
- Market risk: All investing involves risk. The value of your portfolio can fall as well as rise.
Is Sharesies legit? Absolutely. It is a regulated, FMA-licensed platform with nearly a decade of operation, hundreds of thousands of active customers, and transparent fee structures published on its website.
Is Sharesies NZ safe? As a platform, yes – it operates under appropriate NZ financial regulation. As with any investment, the safety of returns is not guaranteed.
Sharesies Tax in New Zealand
Sharesies tax obligations are ultimately the responsibility of the investor, not the platform. This is a critical point that many new users misunderstand.
Key Tax Points for Sharesies Investors in New Zealand
- Does Sharesies pay tax for you? No. Sharesies does not automatically pay tax on your behalf. You are responsible for declaring investment income to Inland Revenue (IRD).
- Dividends: Dividends received from NZ companies may include imputation credits. These must be declared as income. Sharesies provides a tax report to help you understand your dividend income.
- Overseas investments (FIF rules): If the total cost of your foreign investments (ASX, US shares) exceeds NZD $50,000, you may be subject to the Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) tax regime. Under FIF, you are taxed on a deemed return (typically 5% of the opening value) rather than actual gains or dividends.
- Sharesies tax reports: Sharesies provides an annual tax report downloadable from your account, summarising dividends, any applicable withholding taxes, and your investment activity for the tax year.
- Crypto tax: Cryptocurrency in New Zealand gains may be taxable depending on your intentions and activity. The IRD treats most crypto trading as taxable income if bought with the intent to sell.
- Sharesies Save: Interest earned via Sharesies Save is taxable income at your PIR (Prescribed Investor Rate).
- KiwiSaver: KiwiSaver returns are taxed at the PIR via the scheme provider.
Recommendation: Consult a qualified New Zealand tax adviser if your portfolio is of meaningful size, you hold overseas investments above the FIF threshold, or you are actively trading crypto.
Sharesies 2026 Investment Outlook
The Sharesies 2026 investment outlook is shaped by several macro and platform-level developments worth understanding.
Market and Platform Trends in 2026
- Interest rate environment: With the RBNZ cutting the OCR through late 2024 and into 2025, the Sharesies Save interest rate has adjusted accordingly. For cash savings, the rate remains linked to the OCR less a margin. Investors may find equities relatively more attractive as cash rates moderate.
- NZX recovery potential: New Zealand’s sharemarket underperformed global peers in 2023-24. Value-focused investors may find NZX blue chips (Meridian, Infratil, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare) attractive at current valuations.
- US market concentration risk: S&P 500 ETFs on Sharesies remain popular, but concentration in US mega-cap technology stocks has been a topic of debate. Diversification across NZX, ASX, and global markets is worth considering.
- Crypto volatility: Bitcoin reached new all-time highs in late 2024. Crypto remains a high-volatility, speculative allocation – sizing positions appropriately is critical.
- Sharesies platform expansion: The debit card launch, crypto integration, and KiwiSaver scheme indicate the platform is expanding its product surface aggressively. More features may follow in 2026.
Best Investments on Sharesies NZ (by investor profile)
| Investor Type | Suggested Focus |
| Beginner | NZ or US index ETFs (e.g. FNZ, US 500 Fund) via auto-invest |
| Income-focused | NZX dividend payers (utilities, infrastructure) |
| Growth-focused | US individual stocks + global ETFs |
| Ethical investor | Pathfinder ESG managed funds |
| Crypto-curious | Small BTC/ETH allocation (5-10% of portfolio) |
| Kids/long-term | Diversified global ETF via Kids Account auto-invest |
Pros and Cons of Sharesies
Sharesies Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Minimum investment of just $0.01 | 1.9% transaction fee is high without a plan for small, frequent trades |
| Access to NZX, ASX, NYSE, Nasdaq in one app | Crypto fees (0.8% + 0.5% FX) are higher than dedicated exchanges |
| Sharesies Debit Mastercard with 1% Investback | Spend card does not support direct debits |
| Auto-invest for effortless regular investing | Share transfer fees can be expensive ($15/investment out) |
| Kids Account for early investing education | No margin trading or advanced order types |
| Sharesies Save with competitive interest rate | FIF tax complexity for foreign investments above $50,000 |
| KiwiSaver scheme with self-select picks | Plans can be confusing to compare for new users |
| Regulated by FMA; B Corp certified | No guaranteed returns – all investment involves risk |
| 880,000+ users; established community | Custodial structure means shares not held in your name directly |
| Strong mobile app on iOS and Android | Customer support is online only (no phone support) |
Frequently Asked Questions - Sharesies NZ Review
- Is Sharesies safe in New Zealand?
-
Yes. Sharesies is regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and is a registered Financial Service Provider in New Zealand. Your investments are held in a custodial structure separate from Sharesies' corporate assets. However, investing always carries market risk - there is no guarantee of returns.
- How much does Sharesies cost?
-
Sharesies has no mandatory fees to open or hold an account. Transaction fees are 1.9% per order (with caps by market). Optional monthly plans cost $3, $7, or $15/month and cover transaction fees up to set limits. There is also a 0.5% currency exchange fee and, for crypto, a 0.8% transaction fee.
- Can you buy Bitcoin on Sharesies?
-
Yes. Sharesies supports Bitcoin (BTC) and several other cryptocurrencies directly within the app. Crypto orders are priced in USD with a 0.8% transaction fee plus a 0.5% FX conversion fee. Crypto orders do not count toward monthly plan coverage.
- What is the minimum investment on Sharesies?
-
The minimum investment is $0.01 (one cent) for any share, ETF, or fund on the platform. This is one of the lowest minimums in the New Zealand market and enables genuine fractional share ownership.
- How long does a Sharesies withdrawal take?
-
Once you have sold your investment and funds have settled (T+2 for NZX and ASX; T+1-T+2 for US), the withdrawal from your Wallet to your NZ bank account takes 1-2 business days. Spend card transfers to your Wallet are near-instant.
- What is the minimum age for Sharesies?
-
You must be at least 18 years old to open a personal Sharesies account. For younger investors, a parent or guardian can open a Sharesies Kids Account, managing it on behalf of a child under 18. There is no stated minimum age for Kids Accounts.
- How do I contact Sharesies?
-
Sharesies does not offer a public phone number for customer support. The primary contact method is email via [email protected], along with in-app messaging and a comprehensive Help Centre at intercom.help/sharesies. Response times are generally within one business day for non-urgent queries.
- Is Sharesies good for beginners?
-
Yes. Sharesies is widely regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly investing platforms in New Zealand. Its low minimum investment, fractional shares, auto-invest feature, in-app educational content, and clean app design make it an ideal starting point for first-time investors.
Author
