InvestNow vs Kernel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kernel had more branded searches than InvestNow among fund managers in New Zealand. Kernel had about 24,600 branded searches, while InvestNow had 18,100. Kernel made up 24.6% of all fund manager searches we track, and InvestNow accounted for 18.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fund managers, InvestNow and Kernel each appeared in four of the five answers. Kernel was mentioned before InvestNow in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Kernel, about 36% more searches than InvestNow
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Kernel, named ahead of InvestNow in 4 of 5 answers
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Top fund managers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, InvestNow was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kernel was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kernel was listed before InvestNow in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Simplicity5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Kernel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
InvestNow4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Milford4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Fisher Funds3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Pie Funds0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Harbour Asset Management0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Devon Funds0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Salt Funds0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Castle Point Funds0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about fund managers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which fund manager should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best fund managers in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best fund manager in New Zealand for long term investing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fund managers nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“managed funds nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is InvestNow or Kernel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for InvestNow and Kernel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten fund managers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Kernel, InvestNow. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fisher Funds | Kernel | InvestNow | Milford | Pie Funds | Simplicity | Harbour Asset Management | Devon Funds | Salt Funds | Castle Point Funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.4% | 15.2% | 16.7% | 28.3% | 5.3% | 1.8% | 0.73% | 0.3% | 0.19% | 0.05% |
| Nov 2025 | 35.7% | 14.2% | 15.6% | 26.5% | 4.9% | 1.7% | 0.83% | 0.27% | 0.22% | 0.07% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.5% | 16.3% | 18.5% | 23.1% | 4.8% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.9% | 16.4% | 18.1% | 24.1% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 0.66% | 0.26% | 0.17% | 0.05% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.7% | 15% | 16.5% | 23.5% | 4.3% | 1.7% | 0.74% | 0.36% | 0.19% | 0.06% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.6% | 17.5% | 16.1% | 22.7% | 4.1% | 1.5% | 0.87% | 0.35% | 0.18% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.2% | 17.9% | 18.9% | 21.3% | 4.1% | 1.5% | 0.69% | 0.27% | 0.15% | 0.07% |
| May 2026 | 29.8% | 21.8% | 19.6% | 22.1% | 4.2% | 1.4% | 0.76% | 0.19% | 0.15% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 30.3% | 22.2% | 20% | 20.4% | 4.3% | 1.5% | 0.73% | 0.23% | 0.13% | 0.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 28.3% | 25.3% | 18.6% | 20.9% | 3.9% | 1.6% | 0.82% | 0.27% | 0.22% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.8% | 25.3% | 18.3% | 21.1% | 3.9% | 2% | 0.98% | 0.21% | 0.32% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.6% | 24.6% | 18.1% | 17.3% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 1% | 0.21% | 0.14% | 0.09% |
How has the InvestNow and Kernel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 3 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Kernel took it in March 2026, InvestNow took it in April 2026, Kernel took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, InvestNow’s share of searches among fund managers in New Zealand moved from 16.7% to 18.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kernel’s share of searches among fund managers in New Zealand moved from 15.2% to 24.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.4K to 24.6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand fund managers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Kernel lost share of searches among fund managers in New Zealand, from 25.3% to 24.6%.
InvestNow’s share of searches among fund managers in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 20% to 18.1% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using InvestNow’s and Kernel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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