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.
February update | Banks hungry, OCR on hold
It’s been a rough few weeks weather-wise. Not ideal when you’re trying to get projects moving. The good news? Banks are keen to lend, credit criteria is quietly easing, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has taken a steady approach with the OCR.
November wrap-up | An OCR cut and encouraging signs heading into summer
Last week brought the news many Kiwis were waiting for: The Reserve Bank dropped the OCR (Official Cash Rate) by 0.25% to 2.25 It was widely predicted, but still a very welcome shift heading into the end of the year, especially with the RBNZ now on holiday until late February.
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.
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.
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.