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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're a self-employed couple who have run our business for three years and are buying a home, having owned one before. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

For your situation in New Zealand, I’d focus on lenders that offer flexible repayment options without locking you into expensive early-repayment fees. As a self-employed couple with three years in business and previous homeownership, you’ll want both a lender comfortable assessing business income and a mortgage structure that lets you pay more when business is strong and adjust when cash flow is tighter.

My recommendation is to compare Kiwibank, BNZ and ANZ first, then look at TSB and NBS for some particularly interesting repayment-flexibility features. The right choice will depend on how much flexibility you need and whether you’re willing to accept a variable interest rate for it.

My recommended lenders

1. Kiwibank

Strong fit for flexibility

Best for: making extra repayments whenever cash flow allows.

  • Its variable-rate home loan lets you make extra payments whenever you like and increase regular repayments without a penalty.
  • Its revolving-credit option is designed for greater flexibility, including irregular income.
  • You can also consider an offset loan if you keep surplus savings in everyday accounts.

Trade-off: variable rates can change, and revolving credit requires discipline so that business income doesn't simply get spent again.

Source: Kiwibank variable-rate home loans. Variable rate home loan | Home loans

2. BNZ

Best for: combining repayment flexibility with fixed-rate certainty.

  • Its standard fixed-rate loan permits extra repayments of up to 5% of the loan balance per year without an early repayment charge, subject to its terms.
  • Its floating-rate option allows extra and lump-sum payments without early repayment charges.
  • You can split your mortgage between fixed and floating portions.
  • Eligible customers can manage repayment amounts online.

Trade-off: larger repayments on a fixed loan can trigger charges, so confirm the permitted increases and how the 5% allowance is calculated.

Source: BNZ home loan types. Home loan typesManage your home loan

3. ANZ

Best for: irregular business income and access to surplus cash.

  • Its Flexible Home Loan operates like an overdraft: you can pay money in and redraw it when needed.
  • There are no scheduled repayments while the account remains within its credit limit.
  • You pay interest on the outstanding balance, so depositing income early can reduce interest costs.
  • ANZ states that this facility often has a higher interest rate and a $12.50 monthly account fee.

Trade-off: the bank can ask you to repay the facility or reduce the credit limit. This makes it important to understand the conditions before relying on it for your household's cash buffer.

Source: ANZ Flexible Home Loan. Flexible Mortgage

4. TSB

Best for: a defined allowance for extra payments while retaining a fixed rate.

  • You can make additional repayments on a fixed-rate loan of up to $10,000 per calendar year without early repayment fees, under its published terms.
  • Its floating-rate loan permits extra repayments without an early repayment fee.
  • TSB also publishes clear application requirements for people buying their next home.

Trade-off: the $10,000 annual allowance may be restrictive if your business generates substantial surplus cash in a particularly good year.

Sources: TSB repayment terms and TSB buying your next home. Home Loan Rates, Fees & AgreementsBuying Your Next Home - Home Loan Options

5. NBS

Best for: paying extra into a fixed-rate loan while retaining access to those additional funds.

  • Its Residential Redraw product lets you pay more than your required repayments and withdraw some of those extra payments later.
  • The product offers fixed-rate options and allows weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments.
  • Published terms include a minimum $1,000 withdrawal and a maximum of two withdrawals per month.

Trade-off: redraw conditions and withdrawal limits apply. Confirm eligibility, availability for your proposed loan and the full fees before proceeding.

Source: NBS Residential Redraw. Home Loans

Which mortgage structure would suit you?

For self-employed borrowers, choosing the structure can matter as much as choosing the bank.

Fixed-rate loan with extra repayment allowances

Suits you if you want predictable minimum repayments and expect to pay a little extra most months. Compare BNZ's 5% allowance with TSB's $10,000 annual allowance and the applicable Kiwibank fixed-loan conditions.

Floating or variable-rate loan

Suits you if you want to make large lump-sum repayments or change repayment amounts more freely. The cost is exposure to changing interest rates, which can make budgeting less predictable.

Revolving credit or offset mortgage

Suits you if your business income arrives irregularly and you want to keep cash accessible. Revolving credit allows you to repay and redraw within an agreed limit; offset mortgages reduce the interest calculated against linked savings balances.

My practical preference would be a split mortgage: keep most of your borrowing fixed for repayment certainty, and put a smaller portion on a floating, revolving-credit or offset structure for flexibility. This can give you room to make extra payments without exposing the entire mortgage to variable rates. Ask the lender to compare the total cost of the split structure against a fully fixed loan.

Will your three years of self-employment affect approval?

Three years in business gives you a useful track record, but lenders will assess the income the business can sustainably support, not simply its turnover.

Have these documents ready:

  • Your last two years of business financial statements, ideally prepared by your accountant.
  • Your personal tax returns and evidence of income drawn from the business.
  • Recent personal and business bank statements, including evidence of your deposit.
  • Details of business debts, tax obligations, household spending and any existing property commitments.

BNZ, ANZ, Kiwibank and TSB all publish application guidance requesting financial evidence from self-employed applicants. Approval and the way your income is assessed depend on each lender's criteria. Preparing for a home loan appointmentApply | Home loansHow to apply for a Home LoanBuying Your Next Home - Home Loan Options

What I'd do next

I'd seek comparable quotes from Kiwibank, BNZ and ANZ, then ask TSB and NBS for comparisons if their fixed-rate repayment allowances or redraw features appeal to you. Compare the interest rate, fees, repayment-change rules, early-repayment charges and access to any extra money you've paid in.

One question would help me narrow this down considerably:

When you say you want to change repayments, which is more important to you?

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

We're a self-employed couple who have run our business for three years and are buying a home, having owned one before. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

For a self-employed couple who have been in business for three years and value maximum flexibility to alter repayments or pay down debt aggressively, your choice of lender comes down to two main priorities: how they assess self-employed income and what flexible loan structures they offer (such as offset accounts, revolving credit facilities, and generous fixed-rate prepayment allowances).

As previous homeowners with a solid 3-year track record for your business, you are in a much stronger position than first-time buyers, but self-employed lending policies still vary significantly across New Zealand lenders.

Key Lenders to Consider and Why

1. Major Trading Banks (ANZ, ASB, Westpac, BNZ, Kiwibank)

The major registered banks are typically the most competitive on floating and fixed interest rates, and they offer the robust, day-to-day transaction flexibility you are looking for.

  • The Flexible Tools They Provide: They all offer Offset Mortgages (linking your everyday/savings accounts to a floating loan portion to lower interest without locking cash away) and Revolving Credit facilities (an all-in-one overdraft-style mortgage where income automatically reduces daily interest).
  • Fixed-Rate Prepayment Flexibility: If you choose to split your loan (recommended for stability), major banks typically allow you to make extra lump-sum payments or increase your regular repayments on fixed portions (usually up to 5% extra per year without incurring early repayment break fees).
  • Self-Employed Assessment: Because your business is 3 years old, you meet the standard requirement of most major banks (which generally look for a minimum of 2 full years of IR3 tax returns, business financials, and GST returns).

2. Customer-Owned and Regional Banks (TSB, SBS Bank, The Co-operative Bank)

If you prefer a more personalised lending approach or want a bit more discretion around self-employed nuances, New Zealand's local and customer-owned banks are worth considering.

  • The Flexible Tools They Provide: They offer competitive floating, offset, and revolving credit options alongside flexible repayment structuring. For instance, The Co-operative Bank and SBS Bank are known for accommodating variable repayment adjustments on floating tiers.
  • Self-Employed Assessment: These institutions often provide a more tailored manual underwriting process. If your business income fluctuates seasonally or has unique tax write-offs, their lending managers are often more accessible to discuss your full financial picture rather than relying purely on automated credit scoring.

Structuring Your Loan for Maximum Control

To balance security with your strict requirement for repayment flexibility, a split loan structure is typically the best strategy:

  1. Fixed Rate Split (e.g., 60–70% of the loan): Fix a portion of your mortgage (for example, on a 1-year or 2-year term) to protect yourselves against short-term interest rate spikes. Ensure you utilize the bank's permitted extra repayment allowances (such as 5% extra per annum) on this portion.
  2. Floating / Offset or Revolving Credit Split (e.g., 30–40% of the loan): Keep a portion floating as an offset or revolving credit account. This allows your business and personal cash flow to sit against the mortgage daily, lowering your interest costs while keeping funds completely accessible if you need to redraw them.

Actionable Next Steps

  1. Prepare Your Documentation: Gather your last two to three years of full financial statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet), business and personal IR3 tax returns, and corresponding Notice of Assessment (NOA) letters from Inland Revenue, alongside 3 months of personal and business bank statements.
  2. Consult a Mortgage Broker: Because self-employed income calculations can be treated differently by each bank (e.g., how they treat retained earnings in a company or discretionary vehicle/home-office deductions), an independent, registered mortgage adviser can shop your scenario across multiple lenders at no direct cost to you.

Would you like to explore how an offset mortgage compares mathematically to a standard fixed-rate structure for your anticipated loan size?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

We're a self-employed couple who have run our business for three years and are buying a home, having owned one before. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

Running your own business for three years means you meet the golden-standard two-year financial requirement for most major New Zealand lenders. Having owned a home before also puts you in a strong position regarding equity and familiarity with the process.

Because your priority is absolute flexibility to change repayments or pump extra funds into your mortgage when cash flow is high, your strategy should focus heavily on floating rates , revolving credit facilities , or offset mortgages.

Major New Zealand lenders and structures well-suited to this flexibility include:

  • Kiwibank (Offset/Floating): Kiwibank offers competitive offset mortgage options (such as their revolving/offset structures) with no monthly account fees on certain setups. An offset structure links your personal or business-transferred transactional/savings accounts directly to the mortgage principal, reducing the daily interest charged without locking away your cash. You can deposit or withdraw extra funds at whim. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • ANZ and BNZ (Flexible/TotalMoney Offsets): Major main-trading banks like [BNZ TotalMoney](url: https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/offset-mortgages.html) allow you to link multiple accounts to offset your floating balance or make unrestricted extra payments on standard floating portions. If you choose to fix a portion of your loan for rate security, major banks generally allow up to a certain threshold (often up to $10,000 or a percentage per year) in extra lump-sum payments without incurring break fees, while the floating/revolving portion remains entirely agile. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Westpac (Choices/Offset): Westpac offers structured flexibility through its Choices Fixed and floating options, allowing up to 20% increases in regular fixed principal-and-interest payments, alongside fully flexible floating and offset options to accommodate fluctuating self-employed income.

  • Non-Bank Lenders (e.g., Pepper Money or Liberty): If your business tax optimization deductions make your "bottom-line" net personal income appear tight on standard mainstream bank calculators—despite healthy actual cash flow—non-bank lenders offer alternative doc options. They permit unlimited extra payments on floating rates, though their baseline floating interest rates are typically higher than mainstream registered banks.

Recommended Loan Structure Strategy

To balance stability with your need to pay down debt dynamically:

  1. Split the Loan: Fix a portion of the mortgage if you want protection against market rate movements, ensuring you utilize the maximum penalty-free extra payment allowances permitted on fixed terms.
  2. Use a Floating or Offset Facility for the Rest: Put the remainder of your mortgage into an offset or revolving credit account. This gives you 24/7 liquidity to dump lump sums from business dividends or seasonal highs directly against the debt, pulling it back out if business expenses unexpectedly require cash. [MoneyHub NZ]

To help narrow down the ideal institution, could you share:

  • Whether you prefer a mainstream registered bank or are open to non-bank lenders?
  • Roughly what proportion of your desired borrowing amount you want fully flexible/floating versus fixed?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026