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The Kāinga Ora Maintenance Clause (for First Home Loans)
If you intend to buy your first home using the Kāinga Ora low deposit First Home Loan scheme then you need to be aware of the eligibility and the maintenance clause that they have – Kāinga Ora require that any maintenance on the property cost less than $10,000 to repair and you need to both…
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Building a Granny Flat in NZ (2026): A Smarter, Simpler Way to Add Income and Space
If you’ve ever thought about building a granny flat but felt overwhelmed by council consents, delays, or costs, you’re not alone. For years, the idea made sense on paper but felt hard to act on. That’s changed. With new rules now in place in 2026, many New Zealand homeowners can build a granny flat up…
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Is Now the Right Time to Buy Property in NZ? What 2026 Might Mean for Home Buyers
There’s been a lot of quiet discussion lately about where NZ interest rates and the New Zealand property market may be heading in 2026. While nothing is certain, many people are starting to wonder whether the current conditions might be offering a window of opportunity one that may not look the same a few months…
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Thinking of Building Your Own Home in New Zealand?
Building your own home is a dream for many Kiwi families. Designing a property that perfectly fits your lifestyle, needs, and future plans can be exciting but knowing where to start is often the hardest part. From finding the right section to securing finance with competitive home loan interest rates, there are a few key…
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Unlocking Home Equity: A Guide to Reverse Mortgages
Many retirees find themselves in a common situation: owning a valuable, mortgage-free home but needing extra funds to supplement their retirement income or achieve a change in lifestyle. Reverse mortgages, also known as retirement equity release loans, are a financial product designed specifically for older homeowners to convert a portion of their equity into cash…
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Big News: Banks Can Now Offer More Low-Deposit Home Loans
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is changing the rules around how much deposit you need to buy a house. Effective December 1, 2025, the RBNZ is easing its Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions. For new buyers, particularly first-home buyers (FHBs), this policy shift is a big deal. It makes getting a mortgage easier, but…
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Understanding How Your Credit Score Works
Your credit score has become more important than ever. In recent years, banks and lenders have placed greater emphasis on assessing your creditworthiness before approving any kind of finance, whether it’s a credit card, personal loan, or home loan. When you apply for credit, the lender will access your credit report, which shows your score…
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Shared Home Ownership: A Smart Alternative to Traditional Buying for Young Kiwis
Are you one of many young Kiwis dreaming of owning a home but finding the traditional route just out of reach? You’re not alone. With rising property prices and hefty deposits, home ownership often feels like an impossible dream for first-time buyers in New Zealand. But here’s the good news: shared home ownership offers a…
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BNZ Slashes 1-Year Fixed to 4.49% — What Does It Mean for the OCR?
Recently BNZ made a bold move and dropped their 1-year fixed rate to 4.49%. Whether you’re looking to refinance, fix your rate, or assess your mortgage strategy, this change is worth paying attention to. This rate cut doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it comes against a backdrop of commentary from major banks about OCR trajectories…
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Why You Should Think Twice Before Letting Banks Link Your Properties
Owning more than one property is a great way to build wealth, but it also comes with important decisions about how to structure your lending. One of the biggest risks I see as a mortgage adviser is when banks link multiple properties together under the same lending arrangement. At first glance, this may seem like…
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How to Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster as Interest Rates Drop
Why Now is the Perfect Time to Review Your Home Loan Interest rates in New Zealand are finally starting to ease, giving homeowners a chance to reduce repayments when they refix their mortgage. But instead of simply enjoying lower payments, what if you used this opportunity to pay off your mortgage faster and save thousands…
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How To Choose The Best Bank For Your Home Loan
There’s no single best bank in NZ for home loans. The best one for you is the lender whose rates stay competitive across the fixed terms, whose loans let you pay extra and ease back when you need to, and whose lending policy fits your income and deposit. Getting approved only tells you one bank…
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Buying Your First Home?
Are you thinking about buying your First Home? Do you know there are ways you can buy a suitable home? When we started the Kiwi First Home Buyers Group over 10-years ago, house prices were a lot lower and the group was relatively smaller. Over the years we have grown this group to about 60,000…
