01
Answer the basics
Tell us about your goal and current financial position.
Deposit, rent and low-deposit routes
What do I actually need to buy a house?
See the deposit you would need, which low-deposit routes could be open to you, and how a mortgage repayment compares with the rent you pay now.
In summary
This page is about working out what it takes to buy a home in New Zealand. It shows the deposit needed at 20%, 10% and 5% of a price you have in mind, the low-deposit routes that could apply including the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, what a gift from family would change, and how an indicative mortgage repayment compares with your current rent. Rates, insurance, maintenance and body corporate levies are not included, and nothing here is a lender approval or financial advice.
See what I need About 3 minutes · no commitment
What you’ll get
Your deposit gap, the routes that could work, and rent versus a mortgage.
Useful value before contact details
Assumptions shown clearly
You choose whether an adviser follows up
Simple by design
A better place to start
This is a lightweight assessment, not a long mortgage application. We ask one clear question at a time and explain what the result means.
02
See an indication
Get a transparent demonstration result with its assumptions.
03
Choose the next step
Only request adviser follow-up if it would be useful to you.
Frequently asked questions
- How much deposit do I need to buy a house in New Zealand?
- Most lenders prefer 20% of the purchase price, which avoids a low-equity margin. Lending from a 5% to 10% deposit exists for owner-occupied purchases but is limited, assessed case by case, and usually costs more because of that low-equity margin.
- Can I use KiwiSaver and a gift from family as my deposit?
- A KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal can usually form part of your deposit if you meet the scheme rules, and a genuine gift from family can count too. Lenders normally want a gift confirmed in writing as non-repayable, because a loan from family is treated differently.
- Is buying cheaper than renting?
- Comparing your rent with a mortgage repayment only covers the loan itself. Council rates, house and contents insurance, maintenance and any body corporate levies sit on top, so the true cost of owning is higher than the repayment figure alone.
- What is the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan?
- It is a government-supported scheme that lets approved lenders consider a 5% deposit, subject to published income and house-price caps that vary by region. Our calculator shows whether the published caps look like they could apply to you, which is not an approval or an eligibility decision.
- Is this financial advice?
- No. Everything on this site is indicative, general information only. Figures are estimates based on the details you provide and publicly available or supplied rate information, and are not guaranteed. If you need advice, speak with an appropriately licensed financial adviser.
- Will anyone contact me?
- Only if you ask us to. At the end of the calculator you choose whether you would like a mortgage adviser to get in touch, or whether we simply keep your details and let you know later if your position is worth revisiting.
Indicative, not an approval
Your result is a starting point and does not represent a lender decision.
Clear use of your details
We explain consent before any adviser follow-up is requested.
Built for New Zealand
Questions and language are designed around New Zealand mortgage conversations.