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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

best bank for first home buyers with 10% deposit

Best bank for first-home buyers with a 10% deposit in NZ

My recommendation is to compare ANZ, BNZ and Kiwibank first, then check whether you qualify for a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan through a participating lender.

With a 10% deposit, you can potentially buy your first home in New Zealand without waiting until you've saved 20%. The key is finding a bank that will approve your application on its low-deposit lending criteria, with the best overall combination of interest rate, extra fees and flexibility. Home loan deposit optionsLow deposit home lendingLow deposit options | Home loansUnderstanding loan-to-value restrictions - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

My shortlist of banks

1. ANZ

Best starting point for a straightforward 10% deposit

ANZ explicitly offers low-deposit home lending for first-home buyers with a 10% deposit. Ask for its applicable low-deposit interest rate and whether any additional margin or fees apply. Home loan deposit options

ANZ low-deposit options

2. BNZ

Best to investigate for first-home buyer benefits

BNZ accepts applications for low-deposit lending and advertises a potential minimum $5,000 cashback on eligible first-home loans of $250,000 or more, even with a 5% deposit. Check the current offer's conditions and the low-equity premium. Low deposit home lendingFirst home buyers

BNZ low-deposit home loans

3. Kiwibank

Worth comparing for low-deposit lending

Kiwibank confirms it may lend with a 10% deposit in some circumstances. Its lending criteria and the rate you qualify for will determine whether it beats the other banks. Low deposit options | Home loans

Kiwibank low-deposit options

4. ASB

A useful alternative, particularly if you might qualify for the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. ASB is a participating lender, and that scheme has different low-deposit costs from a standard mortgage. Make your move with a First Home LoanFirst Home Loan :: Kāinga Ora

ASB First Home Loan

These are a shortlist to approach, not a confirmed ranking of today's cheapest mortgage offers. Your income, debts, property type and the bank's available low-deposit lending capacity can change the outcome.

The biggest thing to watch: low-equity costs

With a 10% deposit, you're borrowing 90% of the home's value, giving you a 90% loan-to-value ratio (LVR).

Some banks charge a low-equity premium, while others charge a higher interest rate for borrowers with less than 20% equity. These costs can make a seemingly cheaper mortgage more expensive overall. How much deposit do you need to buy a house in NZ

For example, on a $700,000 home:

Item Amount
House price $700,000
Your 10% deposit $70,000
Mortgage required $630,000

At this loan size, even a small difference in interest rates can add up over time.

Don't overlook the First Home Loan scheme

The government-backed Kāinga Ora First Home Loan allows eligible buyers to apply with as little as a 5% deposit through participating lenders. Eligibility and lender approval criteria apply. First Home Loan :: Kāinga Ora

Read the official First Home Loan eligibility information.

Let me narrow down the best bank for you

The best option depends heavily on how much you earn and what you're looking to spend. If you tell me these three things, I can make a more useful recommendation.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

best bank for first home buyers with 10% deposit

In New Zealand, major trading banks and lending institutions operate under Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions, which cap the amount of low-deposit lending banks can offer.

When looking for a lender with a 10% deposit, the "best" bank depends heavily on whether you are buying an existing home or a new build, and your overall financial profile.

Top-Rated Lenders for First Home Buyers

  • SBS Bank: Recognized as the winner of Canstar’s Bank of the Year First Home Buyers Award, SBS Bank is frequently cited by mortgage advisers for offering specialized support, flexible policy interpretations, and competitive packaging for first-time buyers navigating low deposits.
  • Kiwibank: Widely popular among first home buyers due to its robust support for government schemes (like the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan) and dedicated guidance on combining KiwiSaver withdrawals with personal savings. Kiwibank actively allocates a portion of its high-LVR lending quota to 10% deposit borrowers for owner-occupied properties.
  • Westpac & ANZ: Major national banks that offer structured low-deposit lending options. While they have strict serviceability criteria (testing whether you can afford repayments at higher interest test rates), they provide seamless digital applications and dedicated mobile mortgage managers to help navigate 10% or lower deposit structures.

Key Considerations for a 10% Deposit in New Zealand

  1. Existing Homes vs. New Builds:
    • Existing Properties: Banks are restricted by RBNZ caps on how many loans they can issue with less than a 20% deposit. Because 10% allocations are strictly rationed, approval depends heavily on your income stability, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and clean credit history.
    • New Builds / Turnkey Properties: Under RBNZ rules, new builds are exempt from standard speed-limit LVR restrictions. This means banks (including Kiwibank, Westpac, ANZ, and BNZ) are often much more flexible with 10% (or even smaller) deposits if you are purchasing a brand-new property.
  2. The Low Equity Margin (LEM):
    • When you borrow with a 10% deposit, banks take on higher risk, so they typically apply a Low Equity Margin (LEM)—an extra percentage added to your standard interest rate (or sometimes a one-off fee). This margin usually drops automatically once you pay down your principal or property values rise enough to push your equity past 20%.
  3. Alternative: Kāinga Ora First Home Loan (5% Deposit):
    • If your household income qualifies (e.g., $95,000 or less for a single buyer, or $150,000 or less for multiple buyers), participating lenders like Westpac and Kiwibank offer the government-backed First Home Loan. This allows you to buy with just a 5% deposit (though it incurs a 1% lender's mortgage insurance premium paid to Kāinga Ora).

Next Steps

Because banks allocate their low-deposit lending pools differently month-to-month, utilizing a free independent mortgage broker (such as Squirrel, Loan Market, or enable Me) can be highly advantageous. They have real-time visibility over which major bank currently has available 10% LVR allocation capacity for your specific scenario.

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

best bank for first home buyers with 10% deposit

Most major New Zealand banks (includingKiwibank, ASB, Westpac, ANZ, and BNZ) regularly allocate a portion of their lending to first-home buyers with a 10% deposit, subject to Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) speed limits on high-loan-to-value ratio (LVR) lending. Rather than one bank being universally "the best," the right choice depends on which institution offers the lowest low-equity margin (LEM) or waives it for first-home buyers, as well as cashback offers and special package rates.

How New Zealand Banks Handle 10% Deposits

  • Low-Equity Margins (LEM) or Fees: When borrowing with a 10% deposit (a 90% LVR), most major banks add a marginal interest rate surcharge (usually 0.25% to 0.75% on top of standard rates) or a one-off low equity fee until your equity reaches 20%.

  • New Build Exemptions: Under RBNZ rules, banks are much more flexible with 10% (or even lower) deposits if you are purchasing a brand-new build, turnkey property, or off-the-plans home. Lenders like Kiwibank and ASB actively encourage new builds with dedicated incentives or reduced equity margins. [Kiwibank]

  • Kāinga Ora First Home Loan: If your 10% deposit is borderline or you want to check alternatives, participating lenders (such as Kiwibank, Westpac, ASB, The Co-operative Bank, and SBS Bank) offer the government-backed Kāinga Ora First Home Loan which allows down to a 5% deposit if you meet income caps (under $95,000 for a single buyer or $150,000 for multi-buyer/dependants).

Bank Comparison for 10% LVR Lending

Bank / Lender Key 10% Deposit Considerations Special Feature / Advantage
Kiwibank Active appetite for first-home buyers; standard 90% LVR allowances. Often waives or reduces low-equity margins for newly built or energy-efficient homes.
ASB Strong digital tools for tracking first-home savings and approvals. Competitive specials for new builds and regular cash contributions for eligible loans.
Westpac Participates heavily in Kāinga Ora 5%–10% schemes. Offers structured CHOICES home loan packages and flexible cashback options.
ANZ / BNZ Strict adherence to LVR caps; standard low-equity interest margins apply. Large branch network and mobile mortgage manager availability across regions.
SBS Bank / The Co-operative Bank Smaller NZ-owned banks/building societies with personalized underwriting. More flexible manual assessment criteria outside strict big-four scoring models.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please tell me:

  • Are you buying an existing home or a brand-new build?
  • What is your approximate household income and estimated purchase price range?

I can help outline the specific low-equity interest margins or cashback incentives currently offered across these lenders.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

best bank for first home buyers with 10% deposit

AI Overview

In New Zealand, the "best" bank for a first home buyer with a 10% deposit depends on whether you buy an existing house or a new build, and whether you qualify for government-backed programs.

While all major banks can technically lend up to 90% LVR (a 10% deposit), they are constrained by Reserve Bank (RBNZ) speed limits. Because of this, certain banks cater much better to low-deposit borrowers by offering structured schemes, special exceptions, or superior perks.

The Top Bank Contenders for a 10% Deposit

  • SBS Bank (Best Overall for Low Deposits): Awarded Canstar’s Bank of the Year for First Home Buyers. SBS is a mutual bank (owned by members) and historically offers highly competitive low-deposit criteria, often making it the easiest to secure approval when the major banks have maxed out their low-deposit lending quotas.

  • Westpac & Kiwibank (Best for Government Assistance): Both are leading partners for the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. If you qualify (income caps of $95k for individuals, $150k for couples), you only actually need a 5% deposit. By bringing 10%, your application becomes exceptionally strong, and you can bypass standard low-deposit fees.

  • BNZ & ASB (Best for Clean Incomes and Cash-Back): If you are high-earning but just short on deposit, BNZ frequently targets the 5%–10% deposit bracket aggressively, providing up to $5,000 cash back on settlement. ASB is also known for being highly efficient with straightforward PAYE income applications.

Three Pathways for a 10% Deposit Mortgage

The bank you choose will largely depend on which of these three lending strategies your property falls under:

Path Type Best Suited Banks Hidden Costs / Perks
1. Kāinga Ora First Home Loan
(If you earn under the income caps) Westpac, SBS Bank, Kiwibank, The Co-operative Bank Perk: Bypasses high interest rates.
Cost: 1.2% Lender's Mortgage Insurance (LMI) fee applied.
2. New Build Exemption
(Exempt from standard bank RBNZ quotas) BNZ, Westpac, ANZ, ASB Perk: Banks widely accept 10% deposits for brand new homes. Some offer "special" low rates.
3. Standard Low-Deposit Quota
(Existing house, standard bank approval) SBS Bank, BNZ, ASB Cost: Low Equity Margin (LEM). Expect to pay 0.25% to 1.20% above standard advertised interest rates until your equity reaches 20%.

Critical Traps to Avoid

  • Low Equity Margins (LEM) / Premiums: When you have a 10% deposit, banks look at you as high risk. Unless you are on a Kāinga Ora scheme or buying a new build, mainstream banks will penalize you with an extra fee or a higher interest rate (often called a Low Equity Margin).

  • The "Stress Test" Hurdle: Even if you have the 10% deposit, banks won't test your capability to pay at today's market rates. They will apply a "phantom" testing rate—often 2% to 3% higher than actual interest rates—to prove you can manage if rates spike.

Recommended Next Steps

Because bank low-deposit allocations change rapidly month-to-month based on their internal limits, your highest probability of success is to work with a mortgage broker (adviser). They can look at your exact income and point you directly to whichever bank has open 10% deposit quotas this week.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

  • Are you looking to buy an existing house or a brand-new build?

  • What is your approximate combined household income? (To check your Kāinga Ora eligibility) First Home Loan

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026