Mortgages with JJPractical mortgage guides, plain English.
Structuring, refinancing, LVR and DTI rules, KiwiSaver, and the Kainga Ora First Home Loan — written for Kiwis actually working through these decisions.
How much deposit do first home buyers really need in NZ?
You may need less than a full standard deposit. Low-deposit lending, the First Home Loan, KiwiSaver, gifts, family guarantees and new builds explained.
14 October 2026What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a mortgage adviser in NZ?
In NZ a mortgage broker and a mortgage adviser usually do the same job. The difference is the legal term, the licence behind it and the duties it brings.
13 July 2026How do you structure a mortgage to pay it off faster in NZ?
Split terms, offset and revolving credit, extra repayments and refix timing: the structures that actually shave years off a mortgage.
9 July 2026What is a fixed and floating split and which is better in 2026?
Splitting a home loan into fixed and floating portions balances rate certainty against flexibility. How splits work and how to think about your structure.
2 July 2026What is the difference between LVR and DTI rules for NZ mortgages in 2026
LVR limits lending against your deposit and DTI limits it against your income. Both Reserve Bank rules are active in 2026; here is how they differ.
25 June 2026How Do Mortgage Advisers Get Paid and Is There a Cost to the Borrower in NZ?
Mortgage advisers in NZ are usually paid by the lender, not you. How commission works, whether it affects your rate, and what to ask upfront.
22 June 2026How does the Kainga Ora First Home Loan work for low deposit buyers in NZ?
A government-backed scheme that lets eligible first home buyers purchase with a smaller deposit than standard bank lending. Eligibility, process, trade-offs.
11 June 2026Can You Use KiwiSaver and a Gifted Deposit Together for a First Home?
Most first home buyers can combine a KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal with a gifted deposit. How the two sources work together and what lenders check.
8 June 2026What happens if your bank declines your mortgage application in NZ
A decline from one bank doesn't mean every lender will say no. How to read the decline, what to do next, and when a non-bank lender is worth considering.
6 June 2026How Long Should I Fix My Mortgage For in 2026? | NZ Mortgage Adviser Guide
How the Iran conflict, oil prices, and inflation risk are shaping refix decisions in 2026, and how to choose a fixed term without trying to predict the market.
4 June 2026When Should You Refinance Your NZ Mortgage and How Do Break Fees Work?
Refinancing makes sense when the savings outweigh the cost of breaking your fixed term. How break fees are calculated and when the numbers stack up.
20 May 2026How much can you borrow as a property investor under the new DTI rules?
Debt to Income rules limit high-DTI investor lending. How rental income is assessed, what improves your position, and which levers move the number.
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