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Australian property investors - watch out

Earlier this week, the Australian Federal Government announced sweeping changes to Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax — two tax conversations New Zealand investors know all too well.Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the reforms are aimed at:• helping first home buyers compete with investors• improving housing affordability for younger Australians• directing more investment towards new housing supplyPolitics aside, the reality is these changes will directly impact Australian property invest...

First Home Buyer - how to navigate buying at auction

Buying your first home is a huge milestone — and buying at auction can feel like stepping into a completely different world.For many first-home buyers in New Zealand, auctions are exciting, fast-moving, and sometimes a little intimidating. The pace is quick, emotions can run high, and if you’re the winning bidder, you need to be ready to move immediately. That’s why it’s so important to understand exactly what you’re getting into before auction day arrives.If you’re thinking about bu...

Kiwisaver Government contributions - don't miss out!

Did you know you can get up to $260.72 from the Government – every year? One of the best features of KiwiSaver is that you’re not the only one contributing to your retirement savings. Your employer must contribute at least 3.5% (unless you opted to stay at 3%), and the Government also chips in!Summary  Each year, if you’re aged 16–64 and live in New Zealand, the Government will add up to $260.72 to your KiwiSaver account. For every dollar you contribute...

The advantage of using an adviser to apply for funding when you run your own business

If you run your own business, getting a mortgage can feel harder than it should.Not because you’re risky.But because your income doesn’t fit neatly into the way banks like to assess things.A salaried employee shows payslips.A business owner tells a story.And if that story isn’t presented clearly, you can end up with the wrong outcome. That’s where having an adviser in your corner can make a real difference.Why self-employed mortgages are differentWhen a lender looks at a self-employed ap...

Financial Literacy for Children

Do you know what your children are bing taught in school?This is brilliant and I only just found out from my 10 year old’s teacher because he logged in and didn’t complete the module?Apparently there are modules they are supposed to complete with parents – giving you a heads up so you don’t miss this experience to connect with your child and build some fundamental life skills.MoneyTime is the ideal homeschool financial literacy curriculum for 10 to 15 year old kids in New Zealand and Aus...

Navigating rising costs

Navigating Rising Costs and Uncertainty in New Zealand: Practical Steps to Stay in ControlIf it feels like everything is getting more expensive lately—you’re not imagining it.Across New Zealand, many households are feeling the squeeze. Fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the cost of groceries and essentials remains high, and uncertainty around employment is making it harder to plan ahead with confidence.While these challenges are real, there are still practical steps you can take to regain a ...

Kiwisaver Changes in more detail

KiwiSaver Is Changing Next Month – Here’s What You Need to KnowSome changes to KiwiSaver are kicking in from April 2026, and while they’re not dramatic, they will have an impact on your pay and your future savings.If you notice your take-home pay is a little lighter next month, don’t panic — it’s probably not tax. It’s more likely your KiwiSaver contribution increasing.What’s actually changing?From 1 April 2026, the minimum KiwiSaver contribution rate is going up from 3% to 3.5% ...

Key KiwiSaver changes for 2026

Key KiwiSaver changes for 2026 include a reduced government contribution (max $260.72 from July 1, 2025) and higher default employee/employer rates, moving to 3.5% from April 1, 2026, and 4% in 2028. High earners (> $180k) lose government contributions, while 16-17 year olds now qualify for contributions and employer matching. Business.govt.nz Key Changes Summary (2025-2026)Government Contribution Reduced: From 1 July 2025, the government contributes 25c for every $1 you contri...

How to select an investment property

Here’s a practical checklist you can use when evaluating an investment property:✅ 1. Location & DemandIs the property close to public transport, schools, shops, and employment hubs?What is the vacancy rate in the suburb?Are there future developments (infrastructure, zoning changes) that may boost or hurt values?✅ 2. Cash Flow & YieldWhat is the expected weekly rent?After mortgage, rates, insurance, and property management fees, is it positive, neutral, or negative cash flow?What’...

How much deposit do I need?

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DIY Wealth Building: The First Home Buyer’s Secret Weapon

Buying your first home isn’t just about a roof over your head—it’s about building your future wealth. More first home buyers are getting ahead by choosing “do-up” properties and adding value through their own work. This hands-on approach—what we call DIY wealth building—could be a smart move into the market.With first home buyers now making up around 26% of all buyers, it’s clear this strategy is working.The Finance Factor: What You Must KnowHere’s the tricky part: funding the ...

New post

The $10,000 Trap That Nearly Cost Our Client Everything "Don't worry, we'll fix it." Four words that almost destroyed our client's dream home purchase—and their financial future. The Setup The building report was crystal clear: "Roof needs repairs." The agent's response? Smooth as silk: "No problem, they'll fix it." Our buyer exhaled. Crisis averted. A simple $10,000 fix before settlement. They were walking into a trap. The Nightmare Scenario Here's the brutal reality most buyers never see com...

Is your Kiwisaver balance keeping you awake at night due to volatility?

A friend of mine from Craigs Investment Partners recently shared this with me in response to the market upheavals of recent times:I wanted to reach out to communicate on the recent tariff announcements by President Trump, and their impact on the markets and your portfolio.As I am sure you have noticed, the markets have experienced significant volatility following the announcement of new tariffs.  While this can be unsettling, it's important to remember that market fluctuations are a normal ...

Fueling Growth in The Economy

How to Fuel the economy and create growth – what is the RBNZ doing to assist?The Deposit Takers Act will establish a new Depositor Compensation Scheme to protect up to $100,000 per depositor per deposit taker in the event of a failure.I recently attended the Auckland Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 event at Okahu Bay chaired by Simon Bridges and the guest speaker Brent King, Managing Director of General Capital, l shared his perspective on the current economic landscape and offered practi...

Preparing to Apply for a Home Loan

Purchasing a home is a monumental milestone, often accompanied by one of life’s biggest financial commitments: a home loan. If you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, taking time to prepare can help streamline the process, improve your chances of approval, and even save you money. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare.1. Understand Your Financial SituationBefore you apply for a home loan, it’s essential to take a deep dive into your financial health. Here’s what to consider:...

New rules for landlords

Important Update on Tenancy Legislation Changes New legislation heading to Parliament this month will bring significant changes for landlords and tenants: Reintroduction of 90-Day "No Cause" Terminations: Landlords will be allowed to end periodic tenancies without providing a reason. Flexibility for Fixed-Term Tenancies: Landlords can also end fixed-term tenancies at their conclusion without a specific reason. Shortened Notice Periods:1. Notice for landlords to move into their properties or to h...

Navigating high interest rates: Strategies for managing your mortgage

Many homeowners are grappling with the burden of high interest rates on their mortgages and while it may seem daunting, there are proactive steps you can take to manage this financial challenge effectively. Strategies for managing high interest rates on your mortgage: Moving to interest only for a period can reduce the cost and help manage the family     budget. Some banks have reduced the hurdles to approve this and will help make this transition easy. This will add fur...

Some banks will lend you more - don't miss out

When it comes to home loans, not all banks view your position the same.They all view and assess your application in different ways.Things like self-employed income, bonuses or rental income may be treated differently which can affect the amount you can borrow.These tools and calculations differ across all banks.For example, let's take the stress test.If one bank has a stress test rate of 8.5% and another has a stress test rate of 8.95% then you may have a better chance at the bank with the lower...

Don't just let your loan rollover

5 big reasons why you need to stop, think and talk to your adviser.New Zealanders and our cousins in Australia are unique. We absolutely love property! We dream big! Upsizing the family home, buying the perfect beach cottage or starting the property investment portfolio is always close to our hearts.The other thing that’s unique to Kiwis is that we see the family home as an investment. So much so that we have a habit of using our retirement savings from the first years of our KiwiSaver contrib...

Banks are taking longer to respond to applications for finance

Navigating Bank Turnaround Times in New Zealand Property MarketIn recent times, prospective homebuyers in New Zealand have encountered delays in bank decision-making processes, affecting the timeliness of mortgage approvals and transactions. These delays have been influenced by various factors, prompting stakeholders to advise potential buyers to initiate their mortgage applications early when pursuing a property of interest.Factors Affecting Turnaround TimesSeveral factors contribute to the ext...

Help for First Home Buyers

Boost for First Home Buyers: Increased Support for Low Deposit PurchasesIn a positive development for aspiring homeowners across New Zealand, the government has announced an expansion in support for first home buyers seeking mortgages with less than a 20% deposit. Currently, lenders are permitted to allocate 15% of their total lending to this group. However, effective immediately, this allocation will increase to 20%. This policy adjustment is poised to make homeownership more accessible for man...

LVR Changes - what does that mean for a property investor?

New Zealand Adjusts LVR Requirements: Implications for Property InvestorsIn a move aimed at balancing market dynamics and stimulating investment activity, New Zealand's Reserve Bank has announced changes to Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) requirements for property investors. Effective immediately, investors will now need a smaller deposit of 30% instead of the previous 35% to secure mortgage financing. This adjustment marks a significant shift in regulatory policy that is expected to impact both inves...

Bright Line Test Changes

Brightline Test Reduction: What It Means for Property InvestorsIn a move aimed at stimulating the property market and addressing housing affordability concerns, New Zealand has announced a reduction in the Brightline Test period from 5 years back to 2 years, effective from 1st July 2024. This decision marks a significant policy shift that is expected to impact property investors and the broader housing landscape in the country.Understanding the Brightline TestThe Brightline Test is a tax rule th...

Removal of First Home Buyers Grant

Impact of the Removal of First Home Buyer Grants in New ZealandIn a move that has sparked debates across the housing market and among prospective homeowners, New Zealand has decided to remove First Home Buyer (FHB) grants. These grants, which were aimed at helping first-time buyers enter the property market by providing financial assistance, have been a cornerstone of government policy for several years. The decision to eliminate them marks a significant shift in housing affordability strategies...

Debt to Income Ratios introduced

In a significant move aimed at stabilizing the housing market and managing financial risks, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has announced the introduction of Debt-to-Income (DTI) ratios for mortgage lending. This new policy sets limits on how much individuals can borrow based on their income, affecting both owner-occupiers and property investors.Understanding Debt-to-Income RatiosDebt-to-Income ratios are a financial metric used by lenders to assess a borrower's ability to manage their debt repa...