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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 mortgage support first home owners 25% deposit

With a 25% deposit as a first-home buyer in New Zealand, you are in a strong position. A 25% deposit means your loan is around 75% LVR, which is below the usual 80% threshold where low-deposit lending restrictions and some extra costs can apply. Reserve Bank of New Zealand

The “best” bank depends on whether you value the lowest rate, cashback, first-home packages, service, or flexibility. These are some strong options to compare:

Bank Why first-home buyers may consider it
SBS Bank Frequently rated highly for first-home buyer support. Canstar named SBS Bank its First Home Buyers Award winner for 2026, highlighting its first-home package, rates, and support features. Canstar
ANZ New Zealand One of NZ’s largest lenders; worth comparing for competitive fixed rates and first-home offers. Canstar
ASB Bank Offers first-home buyer support, including a possible cash contribution for eligible buyers taking a qualifying home loan. ASB Bank
BNZ Has dedicated first-home buyer support and home loan specialists, with cashback offers available on qualifying loans. BNZ
Kiwibank A locally owned option that many first-home buyers compare alongside the major banks. Canstar
Westpac New Zealand Another major lender with first-home mortgage products to compare. Canstar

With a 25% deposit, I would focus less on “who accepts me” and more on negotiating:

  • Lowest fixed mortgage rate (especially 1–3 year terms)
  • Cash contribution/cashback (often worth thousands)
  • Loan flexibility
    • ability to make extra repayments
    • revolving credit or offset features if useful
    • splitting the loan into fixed + floating portions
  • Customer service and mortgage adviser support

A good approach is:

  1. Get pre-approval from your preferred bank.
  2. Get another 2–3 competing offers.
  3. Ask your preferred bank to match the best rate/cashback package.

Also consider using a mortgage adviser, as they can compare multiple lenders rather than only one bank. Canstar

If you share:

  • approximate house price
  • your income(s)
  • whether you are buying alone or with a partner
  • whether you prefer lowest repayments vs paying it off faster

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

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

best bank mortgage support first home owners 25% deposit

In New Zealand, having a 25% deposit places you in an exceptionally strong position for a first-home mortgage. While standard banking regulations and Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions typically require a 20% equity threshold for standard low-rate home loan specials, a 25% deposit means you comfortably clear this hurdle, unlocking the most competitive standard interest rates, avoiding any low-equity margins (LEMs) or fees, and giving you maximum negotiating power with lenders.

Here is a breakdown of how major New Zealand banks support first-home buyers with a solid deposit (20% to 25%+):

Major Bank Support & First-Home Packages

  • ANZ New Zealand
    • Support & Incentives: Offers dedicated first-home buyer mobile mortgage managers, structured guidance on KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals, and standard cash-back offers for new home loans over a specified threshold (typically $200,000+) provided you stay with them for at least 3 years.
    • Advantage with 25% Deposit: Easily qualifies you for ANZ's standard owner-occupier special fixed rates without requiring any low-equity adjustments.
  • Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)
    • Support & Incentives: Known for robust first-home buyer packages, BNZ provides structured cash-back contributions (often $5,000+ for loans over $250,000) and comprehensive online home-loan calculators integrated with YouMoney tracking.
    • Advantage with 25% Deposit: Unlocks baseline owner-occupier tier pricing and streamlines the formal approval process since your equity risk profile is low.
  • Westpac NZ
    • Support & Incentives: Offers specialized "First Home" packages featuring cash-back contributions, financial wellbeing tools, and structured legal/insurance coordination support.
    • Advantage with 25% Deposit: Qualifies you straight into their best-rate tier and bypasses all low-equity underwriting hurdles.
  • Kiwibank
    • Support & Incentives: Strongly community-focused with dedicated first-home buyer mobile managers. They frequently offer competitive green home loan top-up options (low-interest lending for sustainable home upgrades like solar panels or double glazing).
    • Advantage with 25% Deposit: Instant access to their standard owner-occupier rates and full flexibility around offset or revolving credit structures.
  • The Co-operative Bank & SBS Bank
    • Support & Incentives: Both institutions consistently win customer-choice and industry awards for first-home buyer support (e.g., SBS being recognized for comprehensive first-home packages and The Co-operative Bank offering targeted cashback structures like 1% up to $15,000 on qualifying lending).
    • Advantage with 25% Deposit: Your 25% equity allows you to easily capitalize on these specialized cooperative cash-back structures and lower fixed rates.

Key Financial Advantages of a 25% Deposit in NZ

  1. Zero Low-Equity Premiums or Margins (LEMs): Borrowers with under 20% equity face interest rate margins (often an extra 0.25% to 0.75% added to the base rate) or mandatory LMI (Lenders Mortgage Insurance via schemes like Kāinga Ora). At 25%, you pay none of these extra fees.
  2. Maximum Cash-Back Eligibility: Most major banks tie cash-back offers (such as $3,000 to $5,000+) to new lending totals over $250,000. Having a strong 25% deposit means your loan structure easily complies with minimum borrowing limits while keeping your overall leverage safe.
  3. Structuring Flexibility: With 25% equity, banks are far more willing to split your mortgage across different structures—such as placing a portion on a fixed rate for security and a portion on a floating or revolving credit facility for everyday cash flow management.

What to Do Next

When comparing banks, do not just look at the headline advertised interest rate; factor in the cash-back amount offered and any establishment fees. It is usually best to get conditional pre-approval from at least two competing banks to leverage their offers against each other.

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

best bank mortgage support first home owners 25% deposit

Having a 25% deposit puts you in a fantastic position as a first-home buyer in New Zealand. Because your deposit is well above the standard 20% LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio) threshold, you completely avoid Low Equity Margins (LEM) or low equity fees, and you qualify for major New Zealand major banks' special/owner-occupied interest rates.

When comparing New Zealand major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac), support and offerings for first-home buyers with a 25% deposit generally break down across these key advantages:

  • Interest Rates: All major banks reserve their lowest "special" fixed interest rates for borrowers with at least 20% equity, meaning your 25% deposit unlocks the sharpest headline rates available. Rates fluctuate frequently, so checking current aggregator summaries like MoneyHub Home Loan Rates is recommended. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Cashback Offers: Many main banks offer cash contributions (cashback) for new mortgage lending over a certain threshold (typically $250,000 or $300,000+), which can give you cash back at settlement to help with legal fees or furnishings. For instance, BNZ First Home Buyers Offer provides structured cashback options and dedicated mobile mortgage managers.

  • KiwiSaver Integration & Guidance: Banks like Kiwibank and ANZ feature robust online first-home buyer application hubs and dedicated specialists to handle KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals and Kainga Ora First Home Partner or grants smoothly alongside your 25% pool. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Transaction/Banking Perks: ASB and Westpac often bundle first-home loans with everyday banking fee waivers, discounted insurance packages, or revolving credit/offset flexibility.

Because a 25% deposit makes you a low-risk borrower, negotiation power shifts slightly in your favour. It is worth approaching two or three banks (or using a mortgage broker) to pitch them against each other for the best combination of special fixed rates and cashback back-to-the-pocket incentives.

Would you like me to:

  • Outline how cashback calculations generally work across major NZ banks?
  • Detail the documentation needed for KiwiSaver withdrawal alongside your deposit?
Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

best bank mortgage support first home owners 25% deposit

AI Overview

With a 25% deposit , you have passed the standard 20% equity threshold required by New Zealand banks. This positions you as an "A-grade" borrower, allowing you to bypass Low Equity Premiums and qualify immediately for special advertised interest rates and maximum cash-back incentives across the board.

Because you have 25% equity, you do not need government low-deposit schemes like the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. Instead, your evaluation of the "best" bank shifts toward specific first-time buyer perks, cash-back amounts, and specific product discounts.

Top Banks for First Home Buyers with 25% Deposit

The major New Zealand banks compete aggressively for first-home buyers who possess high deposits. The best options can be categorized by their specific structural advantages:

  • SBS Bank (Best Overall First-Home Perks): Awarded Canstar's Bank of the Year for First Home Buyers. For qualifying borrowers, they offer their FirstHome Combo , which features a highly competitive 1-year fixed rate (often lower than major competitors, currently sitting at 4.69% p.a.), plus a structural package including a $3,000 cash-back payment , a $1,000 home insurance contribution , and a $1,000 SBS Wealth KiwiSaver contribution.

  • The Co-operative Bank (Best Value Cash-Back): Ranks very highly for first-home support. Instead of offering a flat-rate cash incentive, their First Home Buyer Cash Back offers 1% of the loan amount up to a maximum of $15,000 for loans over $250,000. With your 25% deposit, if you are buying an average-priced home and borrowing a significant amount, this percentage-based model often yields a much larger lump sum than mainstream competitors.

  • BNZ (Best for Low Overall Product Costs): Winner of Canstar's Bank of the Year Home Loans. They are highly competitive on standard fixed rates and offer a standard $5,000 cash-back incentive on lending over $250,000. Their primary strength lies in overall low ongoing service fees and simple, fast online mortgage execution pathways.

  • ANZ & ASB (Best for Sustainable Upgrades): Both offer a standard $5,000 cash-back for new home loans starting from $200,000 or $250,000. They also provide a significant post-purchase perk: a "sustainable top-up" allowing you to borrow up to $80,000 at a 1% fixed rate for 3 years to fund energy-efficient upgrades, insulation, or heat pumps.

First Home Loan Comparison Overview

The table below outlines how the leading New Zealand options compare for an owner-occupier with 25% equity:

Bank Target First-Home Benefit Main Advantage / Rates Commitment Period
SBS Bank FirstHome Combo Package 4.69% 1-Year Fixed + Insurance/KiwiSaver perks Typically 3–4 years
The Co-operative Bank 1% cash-back up to $15,000 High percentage-based cash injection 3-year clawback window
BNZ $5,000 flat cash-back Consistently low standard fixed/classic rates 3-year clawback window
ANZ / ASB $5,000 cash-back 1% energy top-ups up to $80,000 3-year clawback window

Key Factors to Consider with a 25% Deposit

  • Cash-back Clawbacks: Mainstream banks tie cash-back incentives ($3,000 to $5,000+) to a strict 3-to-4-year clawback period. If you break your mortgage or refinance with another lender before this time frame ends, you will be forced to repay that cash-back on a pro-rata or full basis.

  • Serviceability Stress Testing: Even though you have a strong 25% deposit, banks do not test your ability to pay at the current advertised interest rate (e.g., ~5%). NZ banks apply a simulated "test rate" or "stress rate" between 6.85% and 7.10% to ensure you can manage repayments if interest rates rise.

  • The Power to Negotiate: Because your 25% deposit eliminates bank risk, do not feel limited to advertised headline rates. A mortgage broker or direct negotiation can often prompt a lender to shave an extra 0.10% to 0.20% off their published special rates or match a competitor's cash-back offer to win your business.

To help narrow down the single best choice for your situation, could you tell me:

  • What is the estimated purchase price of the home you are targeting?

  • Do you plan to make renovations or eco-friendly upgrades (like solar or heat pumps) immediately after buying?

  • Do you prefer a bank with physical branches near you, or are you comfortable using a purely digital/online platform?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026