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Evidence · Home lending

The questions and original answers

Explore every question and captured response in the home-lending study, including answers asked nationally and from four cities.

questions
193
captured answers
1,094
AI platforms
4
collected
11 October 2026

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 193 questions

Show all 193

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Question catalogue

    questions.csv

    One row per question.

    Question ID, borrower, exact question, group and collected answers

    193rows

    Download question catalogue (CSV)

  • Answers

    answers.csv

    One row per answer, with its full text.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, city, words, coded recommendations, showed a link and full text

    1,094rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    sources.csv

    One row for each website recorded as a source of an answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, assistant, city, website and publisher type

    4,574rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    checks.csv

    One row per statement checked.

    Check, answer ID, assistant, what the answer said, verdict, what the source says, source and date

    4rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Recommendation coding

    recommendation-coding.csv

    One row per coded national loan-choice or support answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, question group, recommended lenders and supporting passages

    360rows

    Download recommendation coding (CSV)

  • Platform comparisons

    platform-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per platform, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    105rows

    Download platform comparisons (CSV)

  • City comparisons

    city-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per city, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    112rows

    Download city comparisons (CSV)

Use these tables to trace findings back to the original questions and answers. The full text of each answer is also on this page, under its question.

03

Read in full and checked

Some answers were read in detail or checked against official sources. Those appear on the study page, beside the findings they support.

ChatGPT · National

My partner and I are getting ready to apply for our first home loan. We're both salaried and have about a 10% deposit. What paperwork should we get together before we apply?

For a first home loan application in New Zealand, it helps to prepare a “loan folder” for each of you. Since you’re both salaried and have around a 10% deposit, the lender will mainly want to verify your identity, income, savings/deposit source, spending, debts, and overall affordability. BNZ

Here’s a practical checklist:

1. Identity and personal details

For both applicants, gather:

  • NZ driver licence or passport
  • Proof of current address (for example, a recent bank statement or utility bill)
  • IRD numbers (often requested during the application process)
  • Details of your marital/relationship status and dependants (if applicable) Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities

2. Proof of employment and income

Because you’re salaried, prepare:

  • Your last 2–3 payslips each
  • Employment contracts (especially if you recently changed jobs)
  • Employer letters confirming role, salary, and employment status if requested
  • Evidence of any other income (bonuses, allowances, rental income, etc.) BNZ

If either of you is still in a probation period, recently started a job, or has variable income, expect the lender to ask for extra information. Consumer Protection

3. Deposit evidence

For your 10% deposit, gather proof showing where the money is coming from:

  • Savings account statements
  • KiwiSaver balance/withdrawal estimate (if you’re using KiwiSaver)
  • Evidence of any gifted funds (if applicable)
  • Statements for any investments or other funds contributing to the deposit Kiwibank

With a 10% deposit, you may be applying as a lower-deposit borrower, so it’s worth asking lenders or a mortgage adviser about current lending criteria and options. Some lenders have additional requirements for lower-deposit applications. Settled.govt.nz

4. Bank statements and spending history

Have ready:

  • Around 3 months of statements for your everyday transaction accounts
  • Statements for savings accounts
  • Credit card statements
  • Buy Now Pay Later statements (e.g., Afterpay/Laybuy) if you use them
  • A list of regular expenses:
    • rent
    • insurance
    • subscriptions
    • childcare
    • vehicle costs
    • loans
    • credit commitments
    • regular memberships and discretionary spending BNZ

A lender will usually review your actual spending patterns, not just a rough budget. BNZ Verify

5. Details of debts and commitments

Prepare:

  • Student loan details (if applicable)
  • Car loans
  • Personal loans
  • Credit card limits and balances
  • Hire purchase agreements
  • Any guarantees you have signed for someone else ASB Bank

Even unused credit facilities can affect borrowing capacity, so it’s useful to know what accounts and limits you have open.

6. Property information (once you find a home)

For pre-approval, you usually won’t need a specific property yet. Once you have one in mind, you may need:

  • Sale and purchase agreement
  • Property details
  • Valuation or other reports if required by the lender NBS

A few things worth doing before applying

  • Avoid taking on new debt (car loans, furniture finance, new credit cards) before your application.
  • Keep your savings pattern consistent; regular saving can help demonstrate financial discipline.
  • Check that your credit commitments and account balances are accurate.
  • Consider getting a mortgage adviser’s view, especially with a 10% deposit, as they can help compare lender policies.

A simple folder structure could be:

  1. IDs
  2. Income
  3. Bank statements
  4. Deposit/KiwiSaver
  5. Debts
  6. Expenses/budget
  7. Property documents (later)

That should put you in a good position for a pre-approval conversation. Kiwibank

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

My partner and I are getting ready to apply for our first home loan. We're both salaried and have about a 10% deposit. What paperwork should we get together before we apply?

Getting your paperwork together early is one of the best ways to smooth out the home loan application process with New Zealand lenders. Because you both have salaried income and a ~10% deposit, lenders will look closely at your savings habits, stability, and debt-to-income limits (especially under Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act / CCCFA rules).

The essential documentation you should gather before applying for pre-approval includes:

1. Proof of Identity & Address

Lenders need to verify who you are and where you live to meet standard AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements.

  • Photo Identification: Current passports or New Zealand driver licences for both of you.
  • Proof of Address: A recent utility bill, bank statement, or official government correspondence (dated within the last 3 months) showing your current residential address.

2. Proof of Income (Salaried)

Since you are both on a salary, banks want to verify that your employment is stable and regular.

  • Payslips: Usually your 3 most recent consecutive payslips.
  • Employment Details: An employment contract or a letter from your employer confirming your base annual salary, occupation, and employment status (e.g., permanent full-time).
  • IRD Summary of Income: It can be helpful to pull your income records straight from your MyIR account as a backup.

3. Evidence of Your Deposit (~10%)

With a 10% deposit, lenders will want to see exactly where those funds are sitting and how they were accumulated over time.

  • Savings History: Transaction statements covering the last 3 to 6 months for any savings accounts showing consistent accumulation.
  • KiwiSaver Balances: If you plan to use your KiwiSaver funds and/or the First Home Withdrawal, request an official eligibility/balance estimate letter from your KiwiSaver provider.
  • First Home Grant / Assistance: If you are applying for any government support or if part of your deposit is a family gift, you will need a signed Gifting Certificate (along with a statement from the gifter showing they have the funds and a declaration that it is non-repayable). (Note: Check current criteria if applying via Kāinga Ora for a First Home Loan scheme with a 5% deposit).

4. Living Expenses & Liabilities

Lenders perform a deep dive into your spending habits (CCCFA guidelines require a granular look at your outgoings).

  • Bank Statements: 3 to 6 months of complete transaction statements for all of your active everyday checking, savings, and credit card accounts. (Avoid unexplained gambling transactions, Afterpay/Zip overuse, or unarranged overdrafts during this window).
  • Existing Debt Details: Statements for any active credit cards, personal loans, car finance, or store cards (even if they have a $0 balance, banks look at the limit available to you).
  • Student Loans: Details of your current Inland Revenue (IRD) student loan balances (you can pull this from MyIR). While student loans don't count as standard debt in the same way credit cards do, the mandatory repayments do affect your net disposable income calculation.

Actionable Next Steps

  1. Download 3 months of PDF bank statements for every personal account you and your partner hold. Clean up any recurring subscriptions or discretionary spending habits you want to optimize.
  2. Pull your KiwiSaver balance letters from your respective scheme providers.
  3. Contact a mortgage broker or a bank home loan specialist to run an initial borrowing capacity check using this paperwork package.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

My partner and I are getting ready to apply for our first home loan. We're both salaried and have about a 10% deposit. What paperwork should we get together before we apply?

Getting your paperwork sorted early makes the home loan application process much smoother. Since you are both salaried with a 10% deposit, New Zealand lenders (banks or mortgage brokers) will want a clear picture of your income, day-to-day spending habits, and where your deposit is coming from.

You can review the official guidance via the Kāinga Ora Home Ownership Guide and gather these essential categories of documents before you apply:

  • Identity Verification: Current passports or New Zealand driver licences (plus proof of residency or visas if you are not a citizen/permanent resident).

  • Proof of Income: Recent payslips (usually the last 3 consecutive payslips for each of you) and potentially an employment contract or a letter from your employer confirming your salary, position, and length of employment. [Mortgage Lab NZ]

  • Transaction History: Full transaction statements for all your bank accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and everyday transaction accounts covering the last 3 to 6 months. Lenders look closely at these to assess your spending habits and account conduct. [Mortgage Lab NZ]

  • Evidence of Deposit (10%): Recent savings account balances and statements showing how long you have accumulated your funds. If part of your deposit includes a KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal , you'll need your latest KiwiSaver annual statement or a confirmation letter from your KiwiSaver provider. If any portion of your deposit is a family gift , lenders require a signed gifting declaration form and proof of the funds transferring. [Mortgage Lab NZ]

  • Existing Debt and Liabilities: Statements for any personal loans, car loans, Afterpay/Laybuy accounts, or credit card limits (even if you pay the balance off in full every month, the active limit counts toward your borrowing capacity). [Mortgage Lab NZ]

Would you like help looking into Kāinga Ora first-home products (like the First Home Loan or First Home Partner), or do you want tips on how banks assess a 10% deposit versus a standard 20% deposit?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

My partner and I are getting ready to apply for our first home loan. We're both salaried and have about a 10% deposit. What paperwork should we get together before we apply?

AI Overview

To apply for a first home loan in New Zealand as salaried employees with a 10% deposit , you will face slightly stricter scrutiny under Low Equity Margin (LEM) rules. Lenders must meticulously verify your affordability, character, and account conduct under responsible lending practices.

Having an unorganized file can stall your application by weeks. Organize all documents in clear PDF format using the categories outlined below.

1. Identity & Residential Verification

Mainstream New Zealand banks must verify your legal status and current living arrangements under Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.

  • Primary Photo ID: A valid, unexpired NZ Passport (preferred) or NZ Driver Licence for both applicants.

  • Proof of Residency: If you are not an NZ citizen, provide your Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Visa.

  • Proof of Address: A utility bill (power, internet), rates bill , or government agency letter (e.g., IRD or ACC) addressed to you, dated within the last 3 months.

2. Salary & Income Evidence

Lenders need proof that your employment is stable, regular, and sufficient to service the debt.

  • Recent Payslips: Your 3 most recent, consecutive payslips for both applicants.

  • Employment Contract / Letter: A signed employment agreement or an official letter from your employer confirming your start date, base salary, and that you are not on a probationary period.

  • Variable Income (If applicable): If you rely on bonuses, commissions, or overtime, you will need 2 years of IRD Income Summaries to show a consistent earning track record.

3. Financial Statements & Account Conduct

Because a 10% deposit means a higher-risk loan-to-value ratio (LVR), banks review transaction details to assess your discretionary spending patterns.

  • Transaction Accounts: 3 months of consecutive bank statements for all transactional and everyday accounts.

  • Tip: Ensure there are no unarranged overdrafts, missed payments, or hidden buy-now-pay-later (e.g., Afterpay) payments.

  • Existing Debt Statements: 3 to 6 months of statements for any credit cards, student loans, personal loans, car finance, or hire purchase agreements.

  • Note: Even if you carry a zero balance on a credit card, banks calculate your borrowing power based on the total credit limit , so consider closing unused cards.

4. Deposit Evidence (The 10% Proof)

Since you are putting forward a 10% deposit, you need to clearly document where every dollar is coming from to prove it consists of "genuine savings".

  • KiwiSaver Documentation: A KiwiSaver First-Home Withdrawal Letter and a recent statement showing your available balance. You can request this directly via your KiwiSaver provider's portal.

  • Cash Savings: 3 months of bank statements tracking your savings accounts to show the accumulation of cash.

  • Gifted Funds (If applicable): If family members are helping you bridge the gap, you need a signed Gifting Certificate stating the funds are an unconditional, non-repayable gift, not a loan.

If you would like to map out the next steps, tell me:

  • Have you already registered for a KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal estimate?

  • Do either of you have any credit cards, store cards, or personal loans currently open?

  • Are you applying directly to your current main bank , or are you looking to use a mortgage broker?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026