You can cherry pick time frames to suit the narrative and timing DOES matter when you buy BRKA/B. It would not take much to have a higher return buying BRK stock if you bought at levels below the start of the year. Likewise you could fare worse if you bought at the highs of each year.

The bottom line is not all investments are equal from a tax perspective. Does owning an index ETF like VOO net you a better return under Kiwi Saver? You wil find after 40 or 50 years of compounding, 2/3rds of the gains would be loss through NZ's FIF tax and various mgt fees deducted every year.