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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 25% deposit

With a 25% deposit in New Zealand (75% LVR), you are in a strong position as a first home buyer. You are generally above the 20% deposit threshold, so you can usually avoid low-equity pricing adjustments that apply to some lower-deposit borrowers. Canstar The “best” bank will depend on your income, spending, preferred loan structure, and how much flexibility you want, but these are the main lenders worth comparing:

Bank Why first home buyers often consider it
SBS Bank Strong first-home-buyer focus; it has received recognition for its first home buyer offering, including packages with incentives such as cashback and KiwiSaver-related support. Canstar
Kiwibank NZ-owned option; often competitive on fixed rates and appeals to buyers who prefer a local bank. First Home Buy
BNZ Frequently competitive on fixed home loan rates and known for digital banking tools. First Home Buy
ASB Bank Large first-home lender with competitive fixed-rate offers and established mortgage support. First Home Buy
ANZ New Zealand One of NZ’s largest mortgage lenders; worth including in comparisons because large banks may compete on pricing and cashback. First Home Buy
Westpac New Zealand Often competitive across fixed terms and may offer incentives depending on current campaigns. First Home Buy

With a 25% deposit, I would compare banks on:

  • Special fixed rate offered (not just the advertised carded rate)
  • Cash contribution/cashback (often several thousand dollars, depending on conditions)
  • Loan structure:
    • Split loan (for example, most fixed + a smaller floating/offset portion)
    • Offset facilities if you expect savings to build
    • Ability to make extra repayments without penalties
  • Service and approval process — especially important if you are buying in a competitive market

A practical shortlist to get quotes from would be:

  1. SBS Bank
  2. BNZ
  3. ASB
  4. Kiwibank
  5. ANZ or Westpac

Then ask each bank (or a mortgage adviser) to beat the others’ offers. First-home buyers with 25% equity are attractive customers, so there can be room to negotiate. Canstar

If you share:

  • approximate purchase price,
  • household income,
  • whether you are employed/self-employed,
  • and whether you prefer lowest repayments vs paying the mortgage off faster,

I can help narrow down which NZ banks are likely to suit you.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

best bank for first home buyers with 25% deposit

When you already have a 25% deposit, you are in a very strong position as a first home buyer in New Zealand. Because your deposit exceeds the standard 20% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) threshold required by most registered banks, you will avoid Low Equity Margins (LEM) or low equity fees, and you qualify for the banks' lowest "special" carded interest rates.

Choosing the "best" bank depends on whether you value lowest advertised interest rates, cash contributions (cashback), flexible offset/revolving credit facilities, or regional service.

Key Options for 25% Deposit First Home Buyers

1. SBS Bank (Recognized for First Home Buyer Support)

  • Why look here: SBS Bank was awarded Canstar’s Bank of the Year for First Home Buyers. They specialize in extra guidance, dedicated support, and often provide unique structured incentives or first-home headstart packages (such as discounts off fixed rates for the first year) that major retail banks don't typically offer.
  • Best for: Buyers who want hand-holding, tailored service, and customer-owned building society values.

2. Kiwibank & Westpac (Competitive Rate Leaders)

  • Why look here: Kiwibank and Westpac frequently lead the major New Zealand banks with the most competitive short-term fixed rates (hovering around 4.75% for 6-month terms or 4.95%–4.99% for 1-year terms).
  • Best for: Rate-sensitive buyers looking to squeeze the lowest possible monthly repayments out of a major nationwide lender.

3. ANZ, ASB, and BNZ (The Major Players with Cashback Power)

  • Why look here: The big major banks have massive flexibility when it comes to cashback offers for new lending (though cashbacks depend heavily on total loan size and internal bank policy at the time of application). Because you have a 25% deposit, you have strong leverage to negotiate.
  • Best for: Borrowers wanting robust digital apps, offset/revolving credit flexibility, and significant cash contributions to help cover legal or moving fees.

Summary Action Plan for Your Scenario

  1. Leverage Your 25% Equity: Ensure every bank you speak with offers you their "Special" interest rate tier (which requires >20% equity), rather than standard carded rates.
  2. Shop Around and Negotiate: Take the lowest advertised rate on the market (e.g., Kiwibank or Westpac's current offerings) to your preferred bank and ask them to match it or beat it.
  3. Ask About Cashbacks: Ask lenders what cash contribution they are offering for new mortgage drawdowns of your size.
  4. Consider a Mortgage Adviser: Because broker services are generally free to you (the bank pays the commission), an independent adviser can pull live, unadvertised back-channel rates and cashbacks across SBS, the major four banks, and second-tier lenders simultaneously to see who wins your specific loan size.

What is the approximate purchase price or loan size you are looking at, and do you prefer lower interest rates or a higher cash contribution upfront?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

best bank for first home buyers with 25% deposit

With a 25% deposit , you are in a very strong position as a first home buyer in New Zealand. Because your deposit is well above the standard 20% Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) threshold, you will completely avoid any low-equity margins or fees , meaning every major bank and lender will offer you their baseline "special" or competitive owner-occupier interest rates.

When choosing the "best" bank, it comes down to who has the sharpest fixed rates, the highest cash contribution (cashback), and dedicated first-home buyer packages.

Top Contenders for NZ First Home Buyers

  • SBS Bank : Named the winner of Canstar's Bank of the Year First Home Buyers Award 2026. SBS stands out consistently due to its FirstHome Combo , which bundles discounted fixed interest rates, specific first-home buyer cashback incentives, and tools like their SKIP savings app.

  • Kiwibank : Frequently rates as one of the most competitive lenders for first-home buyers, offering robust green home loan top-up options, strong structural support for KiwiSaver withdrawal/First Home Grant applications, and aggressive special fixed rates.

  • The Major Banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) : While they may not win niche first-home buyer awards, the big four frequently match or closely shadow each other on standard and special 6-month to 2-year fixed rates. They often provide the largest flat cash contributions (cashback amounts) if your total loan size is substantial, though cashbacks depend heavily on the final mortgage value.

What to Look for Beyond the Interest Rate

  1. Cashback Offers: With a 25% deposit and a sizeable mortgage, ask banks what cash contribution they are offering. Banks frequently offer cashbacks (e.g., $3,000 to $5,000+ or a percentage of the loan) to new lending customers, which can help cover legal or building inspection fees.
  2. Offshore/Flexibility Features: Check if they offer a revolving credit facility or offset accounts , which allow you to offset your savings against your mortgage principal to reduce the interest paid.
  3. The Application Experience: First-home buyer specialized mobile apps or dedicated mobile mortgage managers (who are willing to meet outside banking hours) can make a stressful settlement process significantly smoother.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

  • Your approximate purchase price or loan size
  • Whether you prefer a shorter fixed term (6–12 months) or longer (18–24 months)

I can give you a better idea of what kind of cashback or structure to negotiate with these lenders.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

best bank for first home buyers with 25% deposit

AI Overview

Having a 25% deposit puts you in an excellent position as a first home buyer in New Zealand. Because your Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) is under 80%, you bypass all low-equity premium fees and instantly unlock the banks' lowest advertised "Special" interest rates. Compare home loan interest rates | Westpac NZCurrent mortgage interest rates in NZ [2026] | Opes Partners

At this equity level, the "best" bank depends less on qualifying rules and more on cashback incentives, customer service, and flexible loan features.

The Top Picks for First Home Buyers (25% Deposit)

Bank Key Strengths Core First Home Benefits
SBS Bank Canstar's 2026 First Home Buyers Bank of the Year Offers highly competitive first-home specific fixed rates and a "FirstHome Combo" package ($3,000 cash back + insurance/KiwiSaver perks).
The Co-operative Bank Highest Cashback Potential & Floating Value Aggressive cashback offers (often matching 1% of the loan value up to $15,000). Consistently wins awards for floating/offset rate value.
BNZ Best Digital Experience & Customer Satisfaction Rated #1 for home loan customer satisfaction. Offers a minimum $5,000 cashback for first home buyers (on loans $250k+) and an excellent app for managing offset accounts.
Kiwibank Competitive Short-Term Fixed Rates Often undercuts major banks on 6-month and 1-year terms. Offers a $5,000+ cashback contribution for loans over $250,000 (requires a 4-year relationship).

Key Strategy: Maximizing Your 25% Deposit Advantage

  1. Leverage the Cashback War : With a clean 25% deposit, banks will fight for your business. ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac all offer baseline $5,000 cash contributions for first-time buyers. The Co-operative Bank scales up to 1% (~$6,000 cash on a $600k loan). Always use a mortgage broker to negotiate these amounts higher.

  2. Utilize Offset Accounts : Since you have a healthy deposit, you might retain extra cash or savings for renovations/emergencies. Banks like BNZ, Westpac, and The Co-operative Bank offer excellent Offset Mortgages. This links your everyday savings accounts to your mortgage, meaning you pay 0% interest on a portion of the loan equal to your savings balance.

  3. Beware of the Clawback Clauses : Cashback looks like free money, but it comes with a catch. If you refinance or sell the property within 3 to 4 years (depending on the bank), you will have to repay the cashback on a pro-rata basis. Kiwibank enforces a stricter 4-year clawback.

Current Macro Environment & Stress Testing

Retail interest rates generally sit between 4.75% and 5.50% for popular 1-year and 2-year fixed terms. However, because the Reserve Bank lifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 2.75%, banks are actively stress testing your income at around 6.85% to 7.10%. Even with a 25% deposit, your personal income and household debt-to-income (DTI) ratio will heavily dictate your total borrowing capacity. Current mortgage interest rates in NZ [2026] | Opes PartnersBest Mortgage Rates NZ - Compare Today's Home Loan RatesFloating mortgage rates increased 25 basis points after OCR hikeThinking about buying your first home in Christchurch? HereNZ Mortgage Lending Rules 2026 | LVR, DTI, Serviceability

If you want to map out your next steps, let me know:

  • Your combined household income (to gauge borrowing power against the new DTI limits) NZ Mortgage Lending Rules 2026 | LVR, DTI, Serviceability

  • The approximate purchase price you are targeting

  • Whether you prefer the certainty of fixing your rate or want to use an offset account Compare the best-rated home loans in New Zealand | Canstar

I can help model your potential repayments and structure your loan phases.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026