Journal
What we're thinking, written down.
Plain-English explainers on home loans, KiwiSaver and the New Zealand property market. No filler — just the answers we end up giving in calls every week.
Lenders
TSB Home Loans — What You Need to Know
TSB started in Taranaki but now lends nationwide. Here's what they're known for, where they shine compared to the big banks, and how a broker helps you get the best out of TSB.
Matt Edwards · 7 May 2026
Lenders
Liberty Finance — When the Main Banks Can't Help
Liberty Finance is a non-bank lender that can help when the main banks can't. Here's when Liberty makes sense, how their rates compare, and how a broker accesses them.
Matt Edwards · 7 May 2026
Getting Started
What Does Independent Mortgage Advice Mean in NZ?
Independent mortgage advice means your broker works across the whole market — not for one bank. Here's what that looks like in practice, and why it matters for your home loan.
Gareth King · 7 May 2026
Getting Started
How to Choose a Mortgage Broker in NZ — 7 Questions to Ask
Not all mortgage brokers are the same. Here are seven questions worth asking before you sign up — so you end up with someone who actually fits your situation.
Matt Edwards · 7 May 2026
Lenders
Can a Broker Get Me a Kiwibank Mortgage?
Yes, mortgage brokers can access Kiwibank. Here's how it works, when Kiwibank is a good fit, and why using a broker often gets you a better outcome than walking into a branch.
Gareth King · 7 May 2026
First home
KiwiSaver first home withdrawal — what it is and how to use it
Most first home buyers underestimate what their KiwiSaver can do for their deposit. Here's a plain-English run-through of who qualifies, what you can withdraw, and the three things people get wrong.
Matt Edwards · 30 April 2026
First home
LVR rules in plain English — what they mean for first home buyers
A lot of first home buyers think a 20% deposit is the law. It isn't. Here's what LVR actually is, how the Reserve Bank's speed limits work, and what it really means for getting in with less.
Gareth King · 29 April 2026
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