What New Zealand Mortgage Solutions Can Do For You

We are Mortgage Advisers who specialise in providing New Zealand finance to people residing in New Zealand, Australia and many other countries.

We are accredited with 22 New Zealand banks/lenders. This gives us and you an advantage.

Drawing on his impressive 20-year career in senior Digital Media and Marketing roles across Meta, Warner Bros. Discovery, NZME, and Snapchat in both New Zealand and Australia, Tama now brings his innovative expertise to mortgage advising. As a dedicated Mortgage Adviser at Stewart + Lord, Tama works alongside specialists from banking and legal backgrounds to provide comprehensive, fee-free mortgage solutions for clients across New Zealand and around the world.

Tama Sefuiva

Mortgage Adviser

Mary O’Brien’s career in finance spans more 24 years with successful businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Mary is accredited 22 New Zealand banks/lending institutions for New Zealand properties and previously 35 Australian banks/lenders.

Mary O’Brien

Mortgage Adviser

For 24 Years We Have Been Helping New Zealanders, Australians and Other Nationalities Find the Right Loan from the Largest Panel of New Zealand’s Leading Banks and Lenders

Happy Clients

Young Liam and Courtney

You helped us figure out a price range we could afford to go for. We finally found a modern 3 bedroom home which we fell in love with and managed to secure. You made the whole process very stress free and your ability to discuss our situation with the bank quickly was extremely helpful.

Read Our Case Studies

I Want A New Zealand Mortgages?
Where Do I Start?

We have compiled a handy checklist of you so you can begin to understand the process involved in getting a New Zealand mortgage.

We the recommend you read the section about NZ home loans and then take a look at our case studies to get an idea of the wide range of people we have helped.

New Zealand Mortgage Can Help You:

Before you go to New Zealand.
During the procedures when you visit New Zealand.
Obtaining valuation from Registered Valuers in New Zealand to enable unconditional approval.
Ensure solicitor, bank, valuer and New Zealand Mortgages Solutions all help clients towards settlement.
Visit our useful links page for important websites you will find useful.

Media Releases by Mary O'Brien of New Zealand Mortgage Solutions

“Putting Down Roots” Australia New Zealand Magazine UK July 2018

Mary O’Brien writeup for people permanently moving to NZ re purchasing their “dream property” and obaining a mortgage

“A New Life In Auckland” also “Where to Live” Australia New Zealand Magazine UK December 2017

Mary O’Brien not only writes about the qualities of Auckland but also “Where to LIve” outlining CBD, North Shore, East, West and South areas of Auckand with house values, schools and health

“Move to Auckland” by Mary O’Brien Australia New Zealand Magazine UK September 2017

Mary O’Brien writes about the change to move from overseas to Auckland with great information on high quality Education, Great Job Opportunities, Property Information and Great Relaxed Outdoor Lifestyle Auckland offers

Bang for buck: Australians looking overseas for affordable housing

Australian Financial Review 7-8 January 2017 - Mary O’Brien’s clients Chris and Jamie who reside and rent in Coogee Sydney constructed a 4 bedroom Queenstown ski chalet with beautiful snowcapped mountain views behind and lake views from the front for only NZ$1.3 Million. Where would you get anything like this in Australia for that price - read the very interesting writeup interviewing Chris and Jamie plus a small writeup on Mary O’Brien New Zealand Mortgage Solutions.

Newsletter
Summer Greetings from Tama

August brought welcome momentum for mortgage holders, with the Reserve Bank trimming the OCR again and market signs pointing toward greater stability. Fixed rates remain attractive, housing prices show signs of bottoming, and more competition may be on the horizon. While not a full rebound yet, the conditions are shifting in favour of homeowners looking to refix, refinance, or re-enter the market.

New Zealand Mortgage Market: Key Updates – August 2025

1. OCR Cut to 3% — A Winning Move for Borrowers

On 20 August 2025, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) slashed the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 3.00%, down from 3.25%.
This marks the latest move in a series of cuts that began in 2024, following a hold at 3.25% in July.

What this means for mortgage holders:

Refinancers and variable‑rate borrowers may benefit immediately via lower rates.
The timing may be ideal for seeking better fixed‑rate refinancing deals.

Sources:
RBNZ, Interest.co.nz

2. Mortgage Rates: Nearing Their Low

1‑year fixed rates are hovering around 4.9%–4.95%, while floating rates sit between 6.3%–6.9%.
The lowest advertised 6‑month fixed rate is 5.09%.

Insight for homeowners:

If you're nearing a fixed term expiry, locking in now may secure a strong rate.
Floating‑rate borrowers could see relief if the easing cycle continues.

Sources:
Opes Partners, Mortgage Masters

3. House Prices: Stabilisation Amid Declines

CoreLogic data shows a 0.5% fall in median values from July to August — the sixth consecutive monthly decline.
Median national value: NZ$811,583, now 16.8% below the February peak.
The Home Value Index (HVI) indicates just a 0.4% drop over the past six months, hinting at a slowing pace of decline.

Sources:
CoreLogic NZ, Interest.co.nz

4. REINZ Market Dynamics: More Choice for Buyers

July 2025 saw a rise in sales volumes year-on-year, even as listings dipped slightly from June.
In August, median days to sell hit 50 — the longest for this month since 2008.
Inventory climbed 30% year-on-year, reaching nearly 29,600 properties for sale.

Interpretation:

Buyers are benefiting from wider choice and more negotiation power.
Sellers may need to allow for longer lead times, especially if refinancing deadlines are approaching.

Sources:
REINZ, Property Brokers, Interest.co.nz

5. Regulatory Update: Reducing Capital Requirements

RBNZ has proposed lowering the minimum capital for licensed lenders from NZ$30 million to NZ$5 million.
Options include cutting capital buffers or allowing more flexible loss-absorbing instruments.

Why this matters:

A more open lending market could lead to sharper rates and better deals.
The final decision is expected before the end of 2025.

Sources:
RBNZ, Reuters

Summary for Mortgage Holders

Topic	What’s Happened	What It Means for You
OCR	Cut to 3.00% (20 Aug)	Lower borrowing costs ahead — ideal time to renegotiate or refinance.
Mortgage Rates	Fixed ~4.9%–5.09%, Floating ~6.3%–6.9%	Lock in now if your term ends soon; floaters may benefit further.
House Prices	Down ~0.5% (monthly); bottoming signs	Less equity pressure, signs of stabilisation.
Sales Dynamics	More listings, slower sale times (median 50 days)	Buyers active; sellers should prepare early.
Regulation	Capital rules under review	More lenders — and potentially sharper rates — could emerge soon.

Key Dates to Watch

11 September – August REINZ housing market data
18 September – Next Official Cash Rate (OCR) review (RBNZ)
18 October – Q3 Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation release
Late 2025 – Final decision on capital requirement reforms

What’s Not in the Headlines

1. Mortgage Arrears Still Contained — For Now
Despite tighter household budgets, most borrowers are keeping up with repayments. Data from the RBNZ shows mortgage arrears remain low by historical standards, but worth watching if unemployment ticks up.

2. Building Consents Trending Down
New dwelling consents dropped again in July, suggesting a future undersupply risk — especially in growth regions like Waikato and Canterbury. This may support house prices over the medium term.

3. Regional Resilience
While national prices are still soft, regions like Otago and Taranaki have shown month-on-month value lifts in the CoreLogic index — an early sign some local markets may have turned a corner.

Deeper Reads

RBNZ Cuts OCR to 3.00% in August Review
The central bank delivers a widely expected cut, citing easing inflation and sluggish growth.
Read the RBNZ release

CoreLogic: House Price Declines Slowing
CoreLogic’s August data shows a sixth straight monthly fall, but the pace of decline is easing — a possible signal of market stabilisation.
See the CoreLogic report

REINZ July Market Update: Buyers Back, Sellers Hesitate
Sales volumes rise compared to 2024, but listings tighten. Median days to sell climbs to 50.
Explore the REINZ release

Capital Reform on the Table: What It Means for Lending
The RBNZ’s proposed capital requirement changes could reshape the mortgage lending landscape by increasing competition.
Read the Reuters coverage

ASB: One More Cut Likely Before Year-End
ASB economists expect one more OCR cut in 2025 — suggesting interest rate support will continue into summer.
See the ASB economic note

FIRST HOME BUYERS - Contact Tama to inquire on using some of your deposit from your Kiwisaver Superannuation.

REMEMBER ALL NONRESIDENTS MUST HAVE A NZ TAX FILE NUMBER BEFORE THEY SETTLE ANY NEW ZEALAND PROPERTY and must provide their overseas tax file number.,

NONRESIDENTS PURCHASING PROPERTY IN NZ - There is a ban of nonresidents purchasing "existing residential properties" - with the exception of New Zealand, Australian and Singaporean citizens. Nonresidents purchasing brand new properties are acceptable.

RENTAL AND VALUES: When you look at such a diversified value in New Zealand and look at rental return on the Government website (outlined on this website "Useful Links"), you will see the capital growth or decline and/or rental returns that suit you pertaining to the New Zealand location you wish to purchase.

REFER TO MY "CASE STUDIES"on my website for many New Zealand residents, including many Ex Pats who have moved back to New Zealand, Nonresidents particularly Australians and Kiwis residing in Australia or other countries all purchasing investment property in New Zealand.

Contact Tama from New Zealand Mortgage Solutions Ltd for a pre-approval from a choice of 21 leading New Zealand banks/lenders