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How to Refinance a Home Loan in New Zealand
Your home loan may have been suitable when you first took it out, but is it still the right fit today? Interest rates change. Your income, expenses and financial goals change. You may have built more equity, accumulated other debts
Have an AIA Go Home Loan? Switch to ASB for free – and get cashback.
Accredited AIA Go Home Loan adviser Have an AIA Go Home Loan? Switch to ASB for free – and get cashback. Have an AIA GO Home Loan or an older Sovereign GO Home Loan? You could move to a standard
What is Mortgage Insurance
When people talk about mortgage insurance, they are often referring to different products that do very different jobs. That is where confusion starts. Some policies protect you and your household if income stops or if someone dies. Others protect the
Income Protection Insurance for Self-Employed
If you’re one of New Zealand’s many self-employed workers, you already know the upsides of being your own boss. You choose your clients, set your direction, and build something that’s yours. But self-employment also means you usually do not have
Reverse Mortgage vs Lifetime Home
If you own your home outright but find that NZ Super doesn’t stretch far enough, you’re not alone. Around two thirds of New Zealanders aged over 65 own their home, yet many have little to no savings beyond superannuation. The
What is a Reverse Mortgage? An Ultimate Guide
Retirement often brings a challenge that catches people off guard. You may own your home outright, but find that NZ Superannuation alone doesn’t cover the lifestyle you expected. A reverse mortgage is one way to bridge that gap, allowing you
Kāinga Ora First Home Loan: How It Works and How to Apply
Saving for a 20% home deposit can feel like a stretch, especially when rent and everyday costs keep climbing. The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan is a government-backed scheme designed to help eligible New Zealand buyers purchase their first home
A Guide to Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home in New Zealand is one of the biggest financial decisions you will make. Between government schemes, lending restrictions, deposit requirements and the buying process itself, there is a lot to get your head around before you
Tips for Getting a Sole Trader or Self-Employed Home Loan
If you run your own business, work as a contractor, or freelance for a living, you’ve probably heard that getting a mortgage is harder when you’re self-employed. There’s some truth in that. Banks do ask for more paperwork, and the
Fixed vs Floating Interest Rates in New Zealand
If you’re buying your first home, refixing your mortgage, or thinking about refinancing, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is whether to choose a fixed or floating interest rate. It’s a question we get asked almost every day. And
Debt to Income Ratio NZ: What the DTI Rules Mean for Home Buyers
Last updated: January 2026 | Reviewed by Matt Willoughby, Registered Financial Adviser (FSP702911) If you’re looking to buy a home in New Zealand, you’ve probably heard about debt to income ratios. Since 1 July 2024, the Reserve Bank of New
What is a Non-Bank Lender
What is a Non-Bank Lender? Your Complete Guide to Alternative Lending in New Zealand When seeking finance in NZ, whether for property, business working capital, or addressing unexpected cash flow challenges, most people immediately think of traditional banks. However, there’s