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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 fixed-rate home loan ends in two months and I'm deciding whether to stay with my bank or move. What matters most to me is keeping the total cost as low as possible. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

With your fixed-rate home loan ending in two months, you have a good opportunity to negotiate a better deal rather than automatically accepting your bank’s renewal offer.

My recommendation is to compare your existing bank against at least three competing New Zealand lenders, focusing on the total cost over the next fixed term—not just the advertised interest rate. A slightly lower rate can save you money, but cashback offers, switching costs, loan structure and the flexibility to make extra repayments can change which deal is cheapest overall.

Because your priority is keeping costs as low as possible, I'd compare both a new fixed rate with your current bank and the best offers available from other lenders before committing.

Which New Zealand lenders I'd compare first

The following are the lenders I'd put on your shortlist. These are comparison candidates, not a claim that one bank will always be cheapest for you.

Advertised rates checked against a New Zealand comparison published on 9 October 2026. Rates can change before your loan rolls over, and special rates usually have eligibility conditions. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan Rates

1. ANZ

Worth checking for a competitive rate and negotiating power

ANZ advertised special rates of 4.99% for one year, 5.35% for two years and 5.59% for three years. I'd ask for its sharpest retention offer if you're already a customer, and compare any cash contribution against the interest rate. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan RatesBanks dangle ‘stay’ cash as refinance battle heats up

Website: ANZ home loans

2. ASB

A useful benchmark against the big-bank offers

Its advertised rates were 4.99% for one year, 5.35% for two years and 5.59% for three years. Get a personalised quote rather than assuming its advertised rate is its final offer. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan Rates

Website: ASB home loans

3. BNZ

Worth comparing for refixing and switching costs

BNZ advertised 5.19% for one year, 5.35% for two years and 5.59% for three years. It also allows eligible customers to lock in a new rate up to 60 days before a fixed term ends, which fits your timing if you qualify. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan RatesManage your home loan

Website: BNZ home loans

4. Kiwibank

Another important quote for your comparison

Its advertised special rates were 5.15% for one year, 5.39% for two years and 5.59% for three years. Include any eligible refinancing contribution or cost-saving offer in the comparison. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan RatesHome loan incentives ( non-rate incentives )

Website: Kiwibank home loans

5. The Co-operative Bank

A useful challenger to include

It advertised 5.19% for one year, 5.49% for two years and 5.69% for three years, with special rates subject to conditions. Ask for the complete offer, including fees and any contribution toward refinancing costs. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan RatesHome loan incentives ( non-rate incentives )

Website: The Co-operative Bank

I'd also request a quote from Westpac and SBS Bank. On the same published comparison, Westpac's two-year rate was 5.29%, while SBS advertised 5.29% for two years and 5.19% for one year. These are worth checking against your personalised offers, not just their headline rates. Mortgage Rates NZ | Compare Home Loan Rates

How to work out which is actually cheapest

Don't choose based on the interest rate alone. Compare the following for each lender:

Cost or feature What to check
Interest The actual rate offered for the same fixed term and loan structure
Cash contribution The amount you'll receive and how long you must keep the loan to avoid repaying it
Switching costs Solicitor fees, valuation costs and any other setup expenses
Existing-bank offer Whether your bank will match a competitor's rate or provide a retention contribution
Repayment flexibility Whether extra repayments or lump sums are allowed without penalties

The Financial Markets Authority warns that cashback incentives can have repayment conditions, and switching can involve separate fees. Mortgage adviceHow to refinance your mortgage » Sorted

You can also use the Interest.co.nz home loan comparison calculator, which accounts for interest rates, cash contributions and other costs to estimate an effective interest rate. Banks launch home loan comparison calculator

My suggested plan for the next two months

  1. Now: ask your current bank for its best offer. Request the lowest rate for your preferred term and any retention cashback. Don't accept the first offer automatically.
  2. Over the next week: get competing quotes. Start with ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Kiwibank, then compare The Co-operative Bank or another eligible lender. A mortgage adviser can help source competing offers.
  3. Compare the net cost in dollars. Include interest, cashback, legal costs and any repayment conditions. Keep the loan amount and repayment period consistent between quotes.
  4. Before your fixed term expires: arrange the new rate or refinance. Allow time for approval and legal work if switching. Check whether you can secure a rate in advance, and avoid accidentally rolling onto a more expensive floating rate.

Let me narrow this down to the cheapest options for you

The best shortlist depends heavily on your outstanding balance and how much equity you have. If you share these details, I can make the comparison more specific.

With those details, the aim is to identify whether staying and negotiating or refinancing to another lender is likely to leave you better off financially.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

My fixed-rate home loan ends in two months and I'm deciding whether to stay with my bank or move. What matters most to me is keeping the total cost as low as possible. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

When your fixed-rate home loan is up for renewal, focusing strictly on keeping the total cost as low as possible requires looking beyond just the advertised carded interest rates. Total cost includes interest charges, legal or discharge fees, and crucially, bank cashback incentives.

Because interest rates among the major New Zealand registered banks (such as ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank) track very closely—typically hovering around competitive special rates—moving banks can often unlock thousands of dollars in cash back that drastically lowers your net cost over the term.

Step-by-Step Action Plan to Minimise Total Cost

  1. Request Your Bank's Best "Retention" Rate First

    • Action: Contact your current lender 60 days out (right now) and tell them your fixed term is ending. Ask for their absolute lowest unadvertised "special" or retention rate.
    • Percentage/Amount: Major banks frequently discount carded rates by 0.05% to 0.20% upon request to prevent customers from leaving.
    • Next Step: Note down the lowest rate they offer you.

  2. Shop the Market and Factor in Cash Back

    • Action: Check current offerings across competing major and tier-two banks (e.g., Kiwibank, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, ANZ). If you switch lenders, most banks offer a cashback incentive for refinancing.
    • Dollar Amount: Cashbacks typically range from 0.8% to 1.0% of your total loan value (e.g., on a $500,000 loan, a bank offering a 0.8% cashback will pay you roughly $4,000 upfront).
    • Next Step: Calculate whether a competitor's lower rate plus cashback outweighs your current bank’s loyalty offer.

  3. Account for Switching Costs

    • Action: Ask potential new lenders if they cover legal fees and discharge fees associated with switching.
    • Dollar Amount: Legal and administration fees to discharge a mortgage with your old bank and register with a new one usually cost between $500 and $1,000. Most switching banks will cover or subsidize these out of their cashback package.
    • Next Step: Subtract these hidden costs from the incoming cashback to find your true net financial benefit.

  4. Lock in the Right Term for Flexibility

    • Action: Choose a fixed term (commonly 6-month to 2-year terms are favoured depending on market expectations) that matches your risk tolerance without locking you into inflated long-term rates.
    • Next Step: Execute the refinancing paperwork or re-fixing agreement at least 2–3 weeks before your current term expires so you don't inadvertently roll onto higher floating/variable rates.

Comparison Framework: Staying vs. Moving

Consideration Staying with Current Bank Moving to a New Bank
Interest Rate Can often match competitor rates via retention teams. Competitive "special" rates available if you meet equity criteria (usually $\ge 20%$).
Cashback Rarely offered for simply re-fixing your term. Substantial cash incentives ($3,000 to $6,000+ depending on loan size).
Friction / Fees Zero legal or discharge fees. Potential legal fees, though often absorbed by the new lender's cashback package.

Note: Interest rates and cashback offers change frequently based on Reserve Bank Official Cash Rate (OCR) movements. It is recommended to use a registered NZ mortgage broker (whose service is typically free to you, as they are paid commission by the lender) to pull live, tailored figures across all institutions simultaneously.

To help narrow down the numbers, approximately how large is your remaining mortgage balance, and what is your estimated property equity (above or below 20%)?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

My fixed-rate home loan ends in two months and I'm deciding whether to stay with my bank or move. What matters most to me is keeping the total cost as low as possible. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

When your fixed-rate term approaches maturity, shopping around is one of the most effective ways to lower your lifetime borrowing costs. To keep your total cost as low as possible, your strategy should factor in advertised special rates, hidden cashback offers, and negotiating leverage.

1. Market Overview & Where the Lowest Rates Sit

Major and challenger banks frequently shift card rates, but tier-one and tier-two lenders generally cluster around competitive baselines:

  • Shapeshifting Leaders: Lenders like Kiwibank , Westpac , and occasionally non-bank institutions or smaller regional building societies fluctuate to offer the lowest headline rates for popular terms (such as 6-month or 1-year fixed terms hovering around the 4.75% to 4.95% mark, depending on equity levels and equity margins). Current mortgage interest rates in NZ [2026] - Opes Partners

  • The "Special" Rate Caveat: The absolute lowest rates ("special rates") typically require a minimum of 20% equity (an LVR under 80%) and a requirement to credit your salary directly into an account with that same bank.

2. Should You Stay or Should You Move?

  • Staying with your current bank: Banks prefer retention over acquisition. When you are two months out, your current bank will likely reach out or let you lock in a rate ahead of time. If you find a lower advertised rate from a competitor, use it as leverage. Ask your current mobile mortgage manager to match or beat the competitor's special rate.

  • Moving to a new bank: Moving can unlock aggressive cashback incentives (cash contributions for refinancing). If you move a large enough loan balance, a cash contribution of 0.5% to 1% (or a flat thousands-dollar figure) from a competing major bank can instantly outweigh minor fractional differences in interest rates over a 1-to-2-year fixed term. However, you must factor in discharge fees from your current bank and legal/setup fees associated with switching.

3. Key Tactics to Keep Total Cost Lowest

  • Weigh Cashback vs. Rate: Sometimes a slightly higher interest rate with a hefty cash contribution saves you more cash upfront than a marginally lower rate with zero cash back—especially if you plan to pay down the principal aggressively or use the cash to clear high-interest debt.

  • Shorter vs. Longer Terms: In a shifting interest rate environment, shorter fixed terms (like 6 months or 1 year) offer flexibility if rates are expected to drop, whereas longer terms lock in certainty.

  • Use a Mortgage Broker: Independent brokers in New Zealand are free for borrowers (the lender pays the commission) and they have visibility over unadvertised "hook" or back-channel rates that banks won't publish publicly on their main websites. [Opes Partners]

If you share:

  • Your approximate remaining loan balance
  • Your current equity/property value estimate (above or below 20% deposit)
  • Whether you prefer cashback upfront or the absolute lowest interest rate

I can help outline whether negotiating with your current bank or switching providers makes more financial sense.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

My fixed-rate home loan ends in two months and I'm deciding whether to stay with my bank or move. What matters most to me is keeping the total cost as low as possible. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

AI Overview

To secure the lowest total cost on your upcoming refix, you should look atKiwibank, Westpac, and TSB, while actively leveraging a cashback rebate to offset shifting interest rates. Following consecutive Official Cash Rate (OCR) hikes by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) to 2.75%, mortgage rates are under upward pressure. Interest Rates in NZ | Compare Home Loan & Mortgage RatesCurrent mortgage interest rates in NZ [2026]Choosing between fixed and floating mortgage rates in 2026

When moving lenders to minimize total cost, you must calculate the net benefit: (Interest Saved + Cashback) - Switch Costs.

Top Lender Recommendations for Lowest Total Cost

The following lenders are offering market-leading rates (assuming a minimum of 20% equity):

Lender Top Pick Term Notable Rate (Oct 2026) Low-Cost Justification
Kiwibank 6 Months & 1 Year 4.75% (6M) / 4.95% (1Y) Leading the market on the sharp short-term rates preferred in a shifting macro environment.
TSB 1 Year 4.85% Strongly competitive non-major offering a lower 12-month fixed tier than most big-four banks.
Westpac 2 & 3 Years 5.29% (2Y) / 5.39% (3Y) Lowest medium-term rates among the major banks if you prefer longer cost certainty.

The Hidden Mechanics of Minimizing Total Cost

  • Secure a Cashback Rebate: Moving your mortgage to a new lender typically triggers a cashback payment of 0.7% to 0.9% of the total loan size. On a $500,000 mortgage, this is roughly $3,500 to $4,500 tax-free cash up front. This cash can completely wipe out your switching fees and effectively lower your net interest cost.

  • Factor in Switch Costs: Budget roughly $1,000 to $1,500 for legal fees to convey the mortgage title change, plus any minor discharge fees from your current bank. If your cashback doesn't significantly exceed this, moving may not be worth the operational friction.

  • Check Clawback Clauses: If you received a cashback from your current bank when you originally signed, ensure you have passed their clawback period (usually 3 to 4 years). Breaking away early could require you to repay that original cash back, destroying your cost savings.

Strategic Action Plan

  1. Request a Retention Rate: Ask your current bank for their "hidden" discretionary pricing. Do not accept their advertised card rates. Tell them you are actively looking at competitor cashbacks.

  2. Test Against Short Fixes: With the OCR volatile, locking in for 6 months to 1 year keeps you flexible to re-evaluate without massive early break fees if the market shifts again.

  3. Utilize an Offset Structure: If you have cash savings, ask your next lender to place a portion of the loan into an Offset or Revolving Credit facility. This reduces the principal debt balance that incurs interest daily, providing the absolute lowest lifetime cost.

To calculate the exact potential savings of a switch, could you share:

  • Your approximate remaining loan balance?

  • How much cash savings you keep on hand that could be used for offsetting?

  • Which bank you are currently with?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026