Brandwave

Generate KiwiSaver vs Kernel:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kernel had more branded searches than Generate KiwiSaver among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand. Kernel had about 27,200 branded searches, while Generate KiwiSaver had 20,200. Kernel made up 16% of all KiwiSaver provider searches we track, and Generate KiwiSaver accounted for 11.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about KiwiSaver providers, Kernel appeared in four of the five answers and Generate KiwiSaver in two. Kernel was mentioned before Generate KiwiSaver in every answer.

Among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kernel, about 35% more searches than Generate KiwiSaver

Kernel 27.2K searchesGenerate KiwiSaver 20.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Kernel, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Generate KiwiSaver in 2

Kernel in 4 of 5Generate KiwiSaver in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kernel, named ahead of Generate KiwiSaver in every answer

Kernel first in 4Generate KiwiSaver never first

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Top KiwiSaver providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two 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. Generate KiwiSaver was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kernel was listed before Generate KiwiSaver in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Simplicity1st
  2. Kernel2nd
  3. Milford3rd
  4. InvestNow4th
  5. ANZ5th
  6. ASB6th
  7. Fisher Funds7th
  8. Booster8th
  9. Generate KiwiSaver9th
  10. Westpac10th
  11. +5 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Kernel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Simplicity4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Milford3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • InvestNow3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Generate KiwiSaver2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Fisher Funds1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Booster1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • ASB1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • ANZ1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Westpac1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+5 more

See every answer about KiwiSaver providers

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Generate KiwiSaver or Kernel more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Generate KiwiSaver and Kernel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 KiwiSaver providers we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Generate KiwiSaver and Kernel among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Kernel, Generate KiwiSaver. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFisher FundsKernelMilfordGenerate KiwiSaverInvestNowSuperLifeSimplicityBoosterAMPASBMercer KiwiSaverANZWestpacBNZJuno KiwiSaver
Oct 202521.3%10.1%22.1%11%9.9%7%5%3.4%2.2%1.5%2%2.1%1%0.84%0.52%
Nov 202523.8%9.2%20%12%9%6.3%5.3%3.7%2.4%1.6%2.2%2%1.2%0.96%0.47%
Dec 202523.6%10.8%18.4%12%10.9%6.2%4.4%3.6%2.4%1.3%2.2%1.9%0.96%0.79%0.47%
Jan 202623.1%11.1%18.4%11.9%10.7%6.1%5.2%3.5%2.4%1.3%2.2%1.9%0.95%0.9%0.44%
Feb 202625.8%10.1%18.1%10.9%9.8%5.6%4.8%4.1%2.2%1.4%2.4%2.2%1.1%1%0.43%
Mar 202623.2%10.5%17.3%14.2%8.8%5.9%4.3%4.4%2.8%1.6%2.2%2.2%1.1%1.1%0.49%
Apr 202623.6%12%16.5%12.1%11.2%6.1%4.4%3.7%2.4%1.3%2.2%1.9%0.99%0.95%0.39%
May 202620.4%14.3%17.1%12.6%11.6%5.4%4.6%3.8%2.5%1.4%2.3%1.7%0.84%0.97%0.34%
Jun 202620.3%14.3%17.1%12.7%11.6%5.4%4.6%3.9%2.5%1.4%2.3%2%0.84%0.78%0.28%
Jul 202619.3%16.7%17.4%12.1%11%5.2%4.5%3.7%2.4%1.4%2.2%1.9%0.98%0.95%0.27%
Aug 202619.4%16.7%17.3%12%10.8%6%4.4%3.6%2.4%1.3%2.2%1.9%0.95%0.92%0.31%
Sep 202622.7%16%15%11.8%10.6%6%4.4%3.5%2.3%1.9%1.7%1.6%1.1%1.1%0.25%

How has the Generate KiwiSaver and Kernel comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Kernel took it in May 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Generate KiwiSaver’s share of searches among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand moved from 11% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 20K to 20.2K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kernel’s share of searches among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand moved from 10.1% to 16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.5K to 27.2K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand KiwiSaver providers in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Kernel lost share of searches among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand, from 16.7% to 16%.

  2. Generate KiwiSaver’s share of searches among KiwiSaver providers in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 12.7% to 11.8% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

23 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Generate KiwiSaver’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.

Generate KiwiSaver

12 branded search terms

  • generate fund
  • generate funds
  • generate investments
  • generate kiwi
  • generate kiwisaver
  • generate kiwisaver funds
  • generate kiwisaver scheme
  • generate managed funds
  • generate thematic fund
  • generate wealth
  • kiwi generate
  • kiwisaver generate

Kernel

11 branded search terms

  • kernel cash fund
  • kernel fund
  • kernel funds
  • kernel invest
  • kernel investment funds
  • kernel kiwisaver
  • kernel kiwisaver funds
  • kernel wealth
  • kernel wealth funds
  • kernel wealth kiwisaver
  • kiwisaver kernel

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among KiwiSaver providers

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