News and Insights
Keep up with the property market, interest rates, lending rules and other useful updates for anyone who wants to make smarter property and financial decisions.
Why first home buyers often get better interest rates on new builds
If you’re a first home buyer with a 10% deposit, a new build could actually get you a better interest rate than an existing home. Banks treat new builds differently, which can mean sharper pricing and better deals. Here’s what you need to know.
March update | A bit of a topsy turvy month
It’s been a topsy-turvy month in the world of interest rates and the broader economy. Following some signalling from the RBNZ, we saw longer-term mortgage rates begin to ease. But over the past few weeks, things have shifted again. Let’s explore what’s really going on.
Kicking off 2026 | January update
As we kick off the first Colab newsletter of the year, it feels like a good time to take stock of where things landed at the end of 2025 and what we’re seeing as we move into 2026.
October update | Finally signs of life in the housing market
It’s been encouraging to hear consistent feedback from builders this month that the market is showing signs of picking up. Confidence is slowly returning, and activity levels are also lifting.
Rates are falling – what does that mean if you’re looking to build?
This month’s bigger-than-expected OCR cut caught most people by surprise, following softer GDP results and signs that the economy is slowing faster than the Reserve Bank had hoped. Here’s how home loan borrowers are being impacted.
September update | Economists call for RBNZ action as GDP slows
GDP slows and economists are calling for rate cuts but there is some good news for the property market. Lending rules are easing, interest rates are dropping, and first home buyers are stirring. Spring is bringing renewed activity, giving builders and buyers a reason to feel optimistic.
July/August update | What buyers want, where the market’s moving, and what to expect next
Between winter chills, unexpected tsunami warnings, and banks being as slow as Auckland traffic on a wet Monday, it’s fair to say 2025 is keeping everyone on their toes. Fortunately, there’s plenty happening in the housing and finance world that’s a bit more predictable. Here’s the latest.
OCR held at 3.25%. Is it time to revisit the Reserve Bank’s mandate?
Over the past 12 months, the Reserve Bank has gradually lowered the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 5.50% to 3.25%. While that’s a solid drop, the pace of cuts has been cautious. With inflation falling and economic pressures mounting, many are asking: Why has the RBNZ been so cautious on rate cuts? Part of the answer may lie in a quiet but significant change made late last year. Here’s the full story.
June 2025 Update | Why now might be the sweet spot for buyers – and a TurnKey Pro update
It’s been a pretty wet start to winter, but at least we’ve had some positive movement on the finance front. The Reserve Bank dropped the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by another 0.25%, cashback offers of up to 1% are still on the table, and conditions are good for buying property right now. Here’s the latest.
April 2025 update | OCR cut, lending shifts & fresh optimism in the market
Economists have responded positively to the recent OCR cut, with many now predicting deeper cuts ahead than originally forecast. Factors like easing inflation, a slowing global economy, and recent US trade tariff moves are all feeding into those expectations.
Test rates are below 7% - why that’s good news for home loan borrowers
The Reserve Bank cut the OCR this week, and while that’s good news for mortgage holders, here’s what we’re really watching: Most banks have already dropped their floating rates. More interestingly – we’ve just seen a bank drop its test rate to 6.75%. That’s a big shift.