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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

We already own our home and want to buy our first rental property. Which lenders would you suggest we compare for the rental mortgage?

For a first rental property in New Zealand, I’d start by comparing the big four banks — ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac — alongside Kiwibank and one or two lenders through an independent mortgage adviser.

Because you already own your home, the key question isn't just who offers the lowest rental mortgage rate. It's which lender will let you use your existing home equity most effectively, assess your household income and expected rent favourably, and structure the loans without unnecessarily putting your home at risk.

Which lenders I'd compare first

  1. ANZ New Zealand

A strong starting point if you want to use equity in your existing home. ANZ explicitly discusses equity release for investment purchases and offers interest-only options for eligible investors. Investment propertyInterest-only home loans for investment properties

Compare: equity release, interest-only terms and fixed-rate pricing.

ANZ investment property lending

  1. ASB

Worth comparing if you want to manage your existing mortgage and investment borrowing together. ASB offers investment lending and tools to assess equity across properties. Investment property loan - Invest in NZ property

Compare: total borrowing capacity, loan splits and repayment flexibility.

ASB investment property loans

  1. BNZ

Particularly worth including because BNZ has a dedicated property investment team and states that it recognises 80% of rental income in its lending assessment. Property investment

Compare: how rental income is assessed and how much you can borrow.

BNZ residential property investment

  1. Westpac New Zealand

Another worthwhile major-bank quote, particularly for comparing your equity position, borrowing capacity and investment loan structure. Property investment

Compare: overall package pricing, fees and how existing debts affect approval.

Westpac property investment

  1. Kiwibank

Include Kiwibank as a fifth bank quote to test whether its rates and lending assessment are more competitive for your circumstances. Its property investment calculator specifically considers equity and rental-property borrowing. Property investment calculator | Home loans

Compare: effective interest rate, fees and borrowing capacity.

Kiwibank home loans

Should you also compare non-bank lenders?

Potentially, yes — especially if the major banks won't lend enough, your income is complex, or the property type is less straightforward.

  • Welcome Finance — a specialist option for property investment and equity-release finance through mortgage advisers. Its loans may be shorter-term and priced differently from standard bank mortgages. NZ Non-Bank Mortgage Lending for Advisers Welcome Finance
  • An independent mortgage adviser — ask for comparisons across multiple banks and relevant non-bank lenders, rather than just a quote from your current bank. Loan Market NZ describes its investment lending service and access to bank and non-bank options. Investment Property Loan

I'd start with the five banks and only widen the search if there's a clear reason.

Three things that matter more than the headline rate

  1. How you use your existing home equity

You may not need all of the rental property's deposit in cash. Depending on your current mortgage and the value of your home, a lender may allow you to borrow against some of your existing equity.

For a standard residential investment property, the Reserve Bank's current rules generally mean a 30% deposit is the benchmark. There are limited exceptions for high-LVR lending, and banks can impose stricter criteria. Understanding loan-to-value restrictions - Reserve Bank of New ZealandLoan-to-value ratio restrictions - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

  1. How the loans are structured

Ask whether the borrowing for the rental deposit can be kept in a separate loan split from your owner-occupied mortgage. Discuss the proposed security arrangements with your adviser and solicitor, including whether the bank would take security over both properties.

  1. How much you can actually afford to borrow

Banks assess existing mortgage payments, other debts, household expenses and only a portion of expected rent. Debt-to-income restrictions also apply to bank lending. The Reserve Bank's investor DTI threshold is generally seven times gross annual income, although banks can still decline applications below that threshold. Understanding debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

My recommendation

Get the same scenario priced by ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac and Kiwibank, ideally through an adviser who can compare their actual lending offers. Ask each for the proposed structure, total fees, fixed-rate options and maximum borrowing amount — not just the advertised interest rate.

To narrow this down to the lenders most worth approaching first, how much equity do you have in your current home, approximately, and how much is still owing on its mortgage? That will help establish whether the main challenge is finding the deposit or getting sufficient borrowing capacity.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

We already own our home and want to buy our first rental property. Which lenders would you suggest we compare for the rental mortgage?

When purchasing your first rental property while already owning your home, you will generally be looking to leverage the equity built up in your current property to cover the deposit (typically requiring a 30% deposit/equity buffer for investment properties under Reserve Bank of New Zealand LVR rules).

Comparing lenders across New Zealand involves looking at the major "Big Five" banks as well as local or challenger options that offer competitive investor structures, cashbacks, or flexible loan terms (such as interest-only options).

Lenders to Compare in New Zealand

1. The Major Mainstream Banks (The Big Five)

ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank write the vast majority of New Zealand mortgages. Because you already have an owner-occupier mortgage, looking at your current bank first—alongside rival major banks—is a strategic starting point.

  • ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac: Generally offer very similar carded interest rates (hovering around competitive 1-year and 2-year fixed rates). They provide robust online banking platforms, options to structure loans across multiple tranches (splitting between fixed and floating or principal-and-interest vs. interest-only), and potential cashback incentives if you consolidate or move your total lending.
  • Kiwibank: As a state-owned, New Zealand-owned bank, they often feature competitive green home loan options or regional specials, and are typically aggressive with matching market rates to win new portfolio business.

2. Challenger & Local Banks

  • TSB & The Co-operative Bank: These smaller, locally-focused or customer-owned banks often provide more personalized service and relationship-managed lending. While their headline rates mirror the major banks, they can sometimes offer greater flexibility or discretion for established homeowners expanding into property investment.

Key Comparison Criteria for Rental Mortgages

When comparing these lenders specifically for an investment property, look beyond just the baseline interest rate:

  • Equity Release Flexibility: Ask how seamlessly each bank will let you draw down or use the existing equity in your primary residence to form the 30% investment property deposit.
  • Interest-Only Period Availability: Many property investors prefer an "interest-only" repayment structure in the initial years to maximize cash flow. Check which lenders readily approve interest-only terms for residential investments and for how many years they permit it.
  • Offset Accounts and Revolving Credit: If you plan to manage cash flow tightly, see which banks allow flexible offset facilities linked to your personal or investment accounts to minimize the interest payable.
  • Cashback Offers: If you decide to shift your main banking or bring your new rental mortgage to a new lender, major banks frequently offer cash incentives (a percentage of the total loan amount) to cover legal and administrative switching costs.

Recommended Next Steps

  1. Calculate Your Usable Equity: Review your current home's estimated market value minus what you owe. Remember that banks generally require you to leave at least 20% equity untouched in your primary residence.
  2. Speak with a Mortgage Adviser: Because navigating investment lending criteria, tax structures (like the bright-line test context or ring-fencing rules), and serviceability calculations can get complex, utilizing a free, independent mortgage broker (such as Squirrel, Loan Market, or AdviceFinancial) allows you to compare policies and rates across all major lenders simultaneously at no direct cost to you.

Would you like to explore how to calculate the usable equity from your current home to see what budget you might be working with?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

We already own our home and want to buy our first rental property. Which lenders would you suggest we compare for the rental mortgage?

When buying your first rental property using equity from your existing home, comparing a mix of major traditional banks and alternative or challenger lenders is essential. Lenders assess investment loans differently—particularly around how they count rental income, test interest rates, and offer cashbacks.

Major Trading Banks

  • ANZ: Often competitive on cashback contributions for larger lending amounts, with robust systems for structuring revolving credit or utilizing existing home equity via a-top up.

  • ASB: Known for flexible structuring tools (like Orbit Home Loans / revolving facilities) which can help manage cash flow between your personal home and the investment property.

  • Bank of New Zealand (BNZ): Frequently provides competitive fixed-term options and clear structuring for separating tax-deductible investment debt from personal debt.

  • Westpac: Good options for utilizing equity release from an owner-occupied property to fund the deposit for a standalone investment purchase. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Kiwibank: Regularly features competitive sharp fixed rates or localized specials, making them a strong baseline comparison against the big four Australian-owned banks.

Challenger and Regional Banks

  • TSB: Often provides competitive fixed-term options and a more personalized credit assessment process compared to major institutions.

  • SBS Bank / The Co-operative Bank: Member-owned or mutual options that can offer competitive niche pricing or flexibility on servicing tests for residential investment properties.

Non-Bank and Specialist Lenders

  • Resimac / Pepper Money / Liberty: While their interest rates can be higher than major banks, they offer alternative servicing criteria. They can be useful if your debt-to-income (DTI) or rental income calculations hit a ceiling with traditional mainstream lenders. [Mortgages.co.nz]

To track live advertised rates across these institutions, you can check current comparisons on platforms like Interest.co.nz or Mortgages.co.nz. [Mortgages.co.nz]

Could you share how you plan to fund the deposit (e.g., using equity from your current home vs. cash) and your preferred loan structure (such as interest-only vs. principal-and-interest)? I can help tailor how these lenders approach your specific scenario.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

We already own our home and want to buy our first rental property. Which lenders would you suggest we compare for the rental mortgage?

AI Overview

When buying your first rental property in New Zealand, the best lenders to compare depend directly on whether you fit within standard banking guidelines or require more flexible servicing requirements. Traditional banks generally restrict lending to a 70% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) for existing properties (requiring a 30% deposit or usable equity), but they offer the most competitive interest rates.

The primary lenders across New Zealand to consider and compare include:

1. The Major Trading Banks (Best for Lower Rates & Clean Credit)

These banks are the starting point if you have solid income, low existing debt, and at least 30% equity available in your current home to leverage for the deposit.

  • ANZ: The largest mortgage lender in NZ. They frequently run competitive fixed-term special rates and have deep experience handling multi-property portfolios.

  • ASB: Known for competitive fixed terms and a robust digital platform, making it easy to track split structures (e.g., combining fixed and floating components).

  • BNZ: Highly competitive across mid-to-long fixed terms. They also feature an excellent offset facility , allowing you to link your personal savings to reduce interest on floating portions of your debt.

  • Westpac: Consistently sharp on popular short-to-mid fixed terms. They are also a critical lender to check because they sometimes test serviceability at slightly different minimum test rates compared to their peers.

2. Regional & Kiwi-Owned Alternatives

  • Kiwibank: Often drives aggressive pricing on shorter-term fixed rates (6 months to 1 year) and offers specific incentives or sustainable top-up subsidies that can benefit certain property upgrades.

  • SBS Bank & TSB: Smaller New Zealand-owned options that frequently step up with market-leading long-term fixed rates or special niche products to win investor business away from the "Big Four".

3. Non-Bank Specialist Lenders (Best for Extra Flexibility)

If your primary bank declines your application due to strict Debt-to-Income (DTI) caps (generally limited to 7x for investors) or strict rental shading policy, specialist non-bank lenders are excellent alternatives. They offer more flexible criteria but usually charge a slight interest premium. Top 5 Non-Bank Lenders in New Zealand [2026] | Opes PartnersProperty Investment Loans NZ | Become WealthInvestment Property Loans NZ | Rental Lending

What to Compare Between Lenders

When reviewing your options, look closely at these three variables, which vary significantly between institutions:

  1. Rental Shading Rates: Banks don't count 100% of your future rental income when calculating what you can afford. Most main banks "shade" rental income down to 70% or 80% , but some lenders are more generous.

  2. Test Interest Rates: While you might pay a market rate around 5%, banks evaluate your ability to pay back the loan at a simulated "test rate" (usually between 6.85% and 7.10%). A lower test rate dramatically increases your borrowing power.

  3. Cashback Incentives: Major banks routinely offer cash incentives of up to 1.2% of the total loan amount to secure your business, which can help offset legal costs.

Because every lender assesses an investment scenario using completely different scorecards, consulting a reputable independent mortgage broker (such as Squirrel, Become Wealth, or Capital Finance) is highly recommended to compare all choices at once without multiple credit checks.

To help point you toward the right match, are you looking at an existing house or a brand-new build , and do you plan to use a mortgage broker or approach the banks directly?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026