If you’re thinking about building, there’s some good news and a bit of a watch-out.
Mortgage News
We’re starting to see property prices edge up again in some parts of the country, but it’s far from a full rebound.
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the “right time” to buy, this might be the closest we’ve seen in a while.
Housing affordability across New Zealand has improved noticeably, with the latest figures from Cotality showing conditions are now the most favourable they’ve been in several years.
A growing number of first home buyers are stepping onto the property ladder with less than a 20% deposit, showing how low-deposit lending options are helping people buy sooner.
Buying with a partner, friend, or family member can be a great way into the market, but it’s also one of those situations where things need to be really clear upfront.
In December 2025, refinancing activity hit record levels. In fact, Kelvin Davidson from Cotality shared via Trade Methat it was the biggest month on record for mortgage borrowing.
If you’ve been watching the property market and wondering “what’s actually going on right now?”, you’re not alone.
There’s been a pretty handy change for homeowners thinking about adding a granny flat, and it could save you time, money, and a whole lot of admin.
From 1 December 2025, New Zealand officially moved into open banking. It started with the big banks, ASB, ANZ, BNZ and Westpac, with the rest set to follow throughout 2026. Open banking is designed to give you more control over your financial information, while making banking services faster, smarter, and more competitive.