Desperate first home buyer? Here's everywhere you can find help

Desperate first home buyer? Here's everywhere you can find help
Interest rates are rising, making it more difficult to pay mortgages. (Image: Getty)
Frances Cook
It’s been a rough ride lately if you’re a New Zealand first home buyer. There was already plenty to grumble about on the price front but through covid, prices shot up by eye-watering levels – 45% between 2020 and 2022. Then the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) was brought in. It created a legal requirement for banks to be tougher about who they lend to, and make sure the borrower could afford the loan. The result was a wave of stories of people being turned down for “irresponsible spending...

More Property

Leighs opts out of Scott Base build
Infrastructure

Leighs opts out of Scott Base build

The Antarctic contractor is focused on offices, healthcare and apartments.

Oliver Lewis 09 May 2025
Two housing projects snare first fast-track panels
Policy

Two housing projects snare first fast-track panels

Applications opened on Feb 7. Now we have our first panels.

Oliver Lewis 08 May 2025
NZ Super Fund, Russell, Lockwood want to sell $600m+ hotel portfolio
Property

NZ Super Fund, Russell, Lockwood want to sell $600m+ hotel portfolio

The Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland is one of seven properties for sale.

Staff reporters 07 May 2025
Property flipping 'pushing up prices': Valuer
Property

Property flipping 'pushing up prices': Valuer

Rapid trading, sometimes on the same day, is hurting low-income buyers, valuer says.

Maria Slade 07 May 2025