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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

Which bank is best for families who need some flexibility with a bigger mortgage?

For families in New Zealand with a larger mortgage, I’d prioritise a bank that offers flexible repayments, access to extra cash when needed, and the ability to manage higher costs when family circumstances change — rather than choosing purely on the lowest advertised interest rate.

The best option often depends on whether you have a comfortable surplus each month, irregular income, or a need to keep some money available for childcare, renovations, or unexpected expenses.

What matters most for a family with a big mortgage?

  • Repayment flexibility: Can you increase or reduce repayments, take a repayment holiday if eligible, or restructure your loan?
  • Access to cash: Can you keep part of your mortgage in an offset or revolving-credit facility, so available savings reduce the interest you pay?
  • Fixed-rate flexibility: Can you make extra repayments without substantial break fees?
  • Competitive rates and fees: Even a small rate difference can make a big difference on a large loan.
  • A good relationship manager: Useful when you need to restructure lending, refinance, or adjust your repayments as family needs change.

My shortlist of New Zealand banks

1. Kiwibank

Best all-rounder for offsetting savings and flexible lending

Kiwibank offers offset and revolving-credit mortgages, and you can combine these with fixed-rate lending. This can suit families who want predictable repayments on most of their mortgage while keeping a portion flexible. Offset home loan | Home loansRevolving home loan | Home loans

Offset mortgage · Revolving credit

2. BNZ

Best for families pooling savings

BNZ's TotalMoney offset mortgage can link up to 50 eligible transactional accounts, including accounts held by family members. That could be particularly useful if both parents maintain savings, or relatives help with a financial buffer. TotalMoney home loans - Offset mortgagesHome loan types

TotalMoney offset mortgage

3. ASB

Best for access to money when circumstances change

ASB's Orbit revolving-credit facility lets you repay and redraw funds within your approved limit. This can help with irregular income or unexpected expenses, but requires disciplined budgeting. Revolving mortgage - Giving you flexibilityDoes ASB offer a mortgage offset account?

Orbit revolving-credit mortgage

4. ANZ

Best to consider for an everyday-account-linked flexible loan

ANZ's Flexible Home Loan works like a revolving overdraft: money paid in reduces the balance and you can redraw within the limit. ANZ notes that this loan typically has a higher rate than other mortgage types, so I'd use it for the flexible portion rather than automatically putting the whole mortgage on it. Flexible MortgageCompare interest rates and home loans

Flexible Home Loan

The mortgage structure I'd consider

For a family with a large mortgage, a sensible starting point is often to split the mortgage into two or three portions:

  • Most of the mortgage fixed: gives you repayment certainty and helps protect the household budget.
  • A smaller offset portion: lets accessible savings reduce interest while keeping the money available.
  • An optional revolving-credit portion: useful if income is irregular or you need a flexible cash-flow buffer, provided you can manage it carefully.

You don't need to choose just one bank feature. For example, Kiwibank allows different loan types to be combined, while BNZ's fixed-rate lending also permits extra repayments up to specified limits without an early repayment charge. Check the current terms before committing. Offset home loan | Home loansHome loan types

My recommendation

I'd start by comparing Kiwibank and BNZ, then include ASB if having access to borrowed funds is especially important. That is a shortlist based on flexibility, not a claim that these banks will offer the lowest rate for your circumstances.

Before choosing, compare the total cost, including rates, fees, cashback conditions and any break costs. Current offers can change, and the best advertised rate may not be the rate you're offered. Compare Home Loan Rates NZ: Beyond the Headline RateBest New Zealand Mortgage Rates (Fixed & Floating)

One question would help me narrow this down: what kind of flexibility does your family need most?

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

Which bank is best for families who need some flexibility with a bigger mortgage?

When managing a larger mortgage for a family, "flexibility" usually means having the ability to make extra lump-sum payments without penalty, split the loan across different terms, and use transactional features like offset accounts or revolving credit to lower daily interest.

In New Zealand, the major retail banks (such as ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac) all offer core flexible products, but some stand out for families managing higher debt levels.

Key Flexibility Features to Look For

  1. Flexible Splitting: Families with larger mortgages rarely keep everything on a single rate. They typically split the mortgage—fixing a large portion for certainty (e.g., 1 or 2 years) and keeping a smaller portion floating on an offset or revolving credit facility for cash flow.
  2. Offset Facilities: This allows you to link everyday family and savings accounts (including children's or extended family accounts at some banks) to a portion of the mortgage. Every dollar sitting in those accounts reduces the daily principal on which interest is charged, without locking your cash away.
  3. Uncapped Extra Repayments on Fixed Terms: Most banks allow you to pay an extra 5% to 20% off a fixed-term loan annually without early repayment charges, but policies vary.

How the Major Banks Compare for Flexibility

  • Kiwibank: Frequently praised for user-friendly offset structures. Kiwibank allows you to link multiple everyday and savings accounts (including family accounts) to an offset home loan, making it popular for households trying to offset a chunk of a larger mortgage with day-to-day cash flow.
  • ANZ & Westpac: Both major banks excel in comprehensive product structuring and broader credit policy flexibility (such as accommodating complex family income setups or future changes in employment). Westpac's Choice Home Loans and ANZ's flexible package options allow robust splitting and revolving credit facilities well-suited to larger balances.
  • BNZ & ASB: Both offer strong digital platforms for managing split-loan structures and revolving credit lines. BNZ’s TotalMoney and ASB’s Orbit facilities give comprehensive transactional integration, allowing household income to immediately minimize daily interest.

Action Plan for Structuring a Large Family Mortgage

  1. Split the Loan: Fix 70% to 80% of your larger mortgage across staggered terms (e.g., half on a 1-year fix and half on a 2-year fix) to manage interest rate risk.
  2. Establish an Offset/Revolving Portion: Put the remaining 20% (or an amount equal to your household savings/buffer) into an offset or revolving credit account to maximize daily interest savings.
  3. Consult a Mortgage Adviser: Because "the best" bank often depends on your exact loan-to-value ratio (LVR) and income makeup, leverage a free independent mortgage broker in New Zealand who can shop policies across all lenders simultaneously.

Are you currently looking to buy a new property, or are you refixing and restructuring an existing mortgage?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

Which bank is best for families who need some flexibility with a bigger mortgage?

When managing a bigger mortgage with a family in New Zealand , "flexibility" usually means wanting features like offset accounts (to offset savings against the mortgage interest), redraw facilities (easy access to extra payments you’ve made), the ability to split your loan across fixed and floating terms, and free extra repayments.

While the "best" bank depends heavily on your exact financial structure, income stability, and Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR), the major New Zealand banks and key alternatives approach flexibility differently:

  • ASB: Highly rated for its digital banking platform and flexible structuring tools (like Orbit Home Loan , which functions as an offset/revolving credit facility). ASB allows you to easily split your mortgage into multiple portions, making it smooth to manage a large loan where part is fixed for security and part is flexible.

  • Kiwibank: Often praised by consumer advocates and Canstar ratings for competitive propositions and practical features. They offer solid offset and revolving credit options alongside good sustainability top-up loans if you are looking to upgrade a family home with insulation, heat pumps, or solar.

  • BNZ (Bank of New Zealand): Strong on comprehensive package structuring. Their TotalMoney offset account is powerful for families pooling savings (including family members' linked accounts, subject to criteria) to aggressively reduce the interest-bearing portion of a large mortgage.

  • ANZ: As the country's largest bank, they provide extensive structuring flexibility and high-capacity lending, though their standard rates and policy rigidity on larger sums can sometimes require more negotiation through a broker.

  • The Co-operative Bank or TSB: If you prefer a smaller, customer-owned or profit-sharing model, they offer competitive rates and personal service, though their advanced multi-account offset flexibility for massive, complex loan structures may feel slightly less automated than the big four (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac). [MoneyHub NZ]

Key Features to Look For:

  • Offset Mortgages: Crucial for families with fluctuating cash flow or savings buffers (e.g., bonuses, gifts, or term savings), as everyday balances reduce the daily interest charged on the mortgage.

  • Redraw Facilities: Allows you to make lump-sum payments onto a fixed or flexible loan and pull the cash back out if an unexpected family expense arises (check specific bank conditions on fixed-rate redraw limits).

  • Sustainable/Energy Top-Ups: Many major NZ banks (like ANZ, ASB, Westpac, and BNZ) offer low- or zero-interest specialized top-ups for home energy efficiency upgrades, which can save a growing family money. [Canstar NZ]

To help narrow down which institution fits your household best, could you let me know:

  • Approximately how large your mortgage is or your expected Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)?
  • Do you prefer a 100% offset facility where your everyday savings actively reduce the loan principal, or do you favor traditional fixed-rate predictability?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

Which bank is best for families who need some flexibility with a bigger mortgage?

AI Overview

For New Zealand families balancing a large mortgage with the need for everyday cash flexibility, BNZ and Kiwibank generally rank as the top choices. This is primarily because they are among the few main retail banks that offer true Offset Mortgages , which allow you to keep your savings intact while directly wiping out the interest on a portion of your larger loan.

When handling a large mortgage, complete rigidity can lead to financial strain or missed opportunities to save interest. Families usually require two types of flexibility: structuring flexibility (offsetting and revolving credit to save interest on cash) and payment flexibility (the ability to alter regular fixed payments during life events like parental leave).

Direct Comparison: Top Flexible Lenders in NZ

Bank Best Known For Top Flexibility Feature Family Account Linking?
BNZ Ultimate Offset Customisation TotalMoney Offset: Link up to 50 separate accounts (including family members). Yes — Parents or extended family can link their savings to offset your loan.
Kiwibank Low-Fee Savings Protection Offset Home Loan: Up to 8 accounts linked with $0 monthly fees. Yes — Close family accounts can be linked.
Westpac Mixed Portfolio Structuring Choices Offset & Everyday Revolving: Good hybrid split options. Yes — Offers family grouping on select structures.
ANZ / ASB Fixed Loan Payment Tweaks Overpayment Buffers: High allowances for increasing fixed-term payments online. No True Offset — They exclusively use unified Revolving Credit lines.

Why True Offset Lenders (BNZ & Kiwibank) Work Best for Families

Instead of dumping all your family's cash into one giant mortgage bucket (which obscures your grocery money from your emergency cash), an offset loan keeps your accounts separate but visually "links" them.

  • The Math for Big Mortgages: If you have an $800,000 mortgage and split off $100,000 into an offset account, but your family holds $60,000 total across everyday checking, kids' school pools, and emergency funds, you are only charged the higher floating interest rate on the $40,000 difference.

  • The "Bank of Mum and Dad" Link: BNZ TotalMoney allows parents or grandparents to link their own savings accounts to the family's mortgage tranche. They retain full ownership and immediate withdrawal access to their money, but their balances help lower the family's interest burden.

Strategic Framework: How to Structure a Big, Flexible Mortgage

If you choose a mainstream retail option, executing a Split Mortgage Strategy yields the greatest balance of stability and choice:

  1. The Fixed Component (Stability - 80% to 90%): Lock the vast majority of your large balance into competitive 1-year or 2-year fixed terms. This guarantees a stable, predictable monthly budget for the household.

  2. The Flexible Component (Fluidity - 10% to 20%): Place a smaller portion onto an Offset or Revolving Credit facility. Size this amount exactly around the maximum cash savings you expect to hold or pay off over the next 12 to 24 months. This gives you a safe harbor to make unlimited lump-sum repayments without triggering break fees.

Hidden Catch to Watch

Flexible floating portions carry higher interest rates than standard fixed special rates. If a family lets a revolving credit line sit empty without actively using cash to offset it, the higher interest rate will compound on that portion, eroding any intended savings.

If you are exploring these options, it can be highly useful to model your exact figures using Sorted’s Mortgage Multi-Tool or check out MoneyHub’s Guide to Offset Mortgages to calculate your exact household scenario.

To help refine the best approach for your household, let me know:

  • Will you have extended family members (like parents) helping to offset the loan with their savings?

  • Do you expect your household cash flow to be steady or highly irregular (e.g., self-employed, commissions, or bonuses)?

  • Are you looking for flexibility to pay the loan down faster , or flexibility to lower payments if household income drops?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026