Helping more
Kiwis into homes.

Let’s get your home loan sorted today.

Helping more
Kiwis into homes.

Let’s get your home loan sorted today.

Buy, renovate, or refinance

Whether you're in the market for your first home in New Zealand, planning renovations for your current space, or considering a refinancing opportunity, we're here to support you at every turn. 

For more information about how we could help you achieve your property goals with a Unity home loan, apply online, visit your local Unity branch or give our friendly team a call on 0800 229 943.

Featured home loan rates

Special rate^

4.49% p.a.

12 months fixed

First Home Buyer Special*

3.99% p.a.

12 months fixed

Special rate^

4.49% p.a.

18 months fixed

See all home loan rates.

*First Home Buyer special available for new lending to First Home Buyers from $250,000. Minimum 20% equity required. Offer also available for First Home Loans, supported by Kāinga Ora - Homes & Communities. This offer is subject to change and could be withdrawn at any time and without notice.

^Special interest rates apply to home loans with a loan-to-value ratio (LVR) of 80% or under. Salary must be direct credited into a Unity transaction account otherwise standard rates apply. Special rates also apply to First Home Loans, supported by Kāinga Ora - Homes & Communities.

$3,000 cash. Minimum.

Ready to invest in your future home? Apply for a new Unity home loan of $250,000 or more and you could receive $3,000 in cash (minimum) to spend on whatever you choose. Cash Contribution terms and conditions apply.

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Get pre-approved

A pre-approval gives you a clear idea of how much you could borrow, so you can house-hunt with confidence.

Learn how it works and how to apply.

Find out more

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Let's get started

Applying for a home loan with Unity is easy.

Simply download our full application form below, fill it out with your details, and email it to homeloans@unitymoney.co.nz.

Apply now

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Need a top-up?

If you're an existing member, it's now easier than ever to apply online for a home loan top-up.

Just answer a few quick questions to get started — no lengthy forms, no hassle.                  

Apply online

Shortcuts to home loan freedom

In the quest for mortgage freedom, every smart move counts. Consider these tips to become mortgage-free faster.

Make repayments more often

Consider repaying your mortgage as frequently as possible (such as weekly rather than monthly). This will assist you in paying off your loan faster and save on interest costs long term.

Keep repayments the same when interest rates drop

If you’re refixing at a lower interest rate, consider keeping your repayments the same. You’ll pay off more of the principal each time, saving on interest and shortening your loan term.

Pay a little extra when you can

A little can go a long way when it comes to repaying your mortgage. If your mortgage is on a floating interest rate, try to pay a little extra when you can. If your mortgage is fixed, most lenders will allow you to make a lump sum payment on the loan once a year (although some may charge early repayment fees, so check with your lender first). 

Making extra repayments will reduce the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the lifetime of your loan - helping you pay it off quicker.

Use windfalls wisely

If you receive a bonus, tax refund, or other lump sum, consider putting part of it towards your mortgage. Planning for these moments can give you a head start on reducing your loan term and interest, even just once a year

An open laptop on a table in a lounge.

Buying your first home?

We've got you covered! No matter what stage you're at in your home-buying journey, we can help you navigate the process.

From preparing to buy to making an offer, find the path to your property goals with our step-by-step First Home Buyers Guide.

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Make the switch to Unity.

Make the switch to Unity and become part of a growing number of Kiwis who value competitive interest rates and personalised support. 

If you're worried about the possibility of higher interest rates at your current bank, we might just be the solution to help you save.    

                                               

Helpful guides

Two women discussing their finances

How to prepare your home loan for a recession

In today's tough economy, if you're feeling vulnerable, you're not alone. By being prepared, you can help to protect yourself from financially challenging times. 

Check out our tips for staying on top of your finances when things are tight.

A young girl standing in a lounge plays with a cute small dog.

Preparing your finances for home ownership

Buying a home is a major life decision, and getting your finances sorted before applying for a home loan is crucial.

We've put together some simple tips to help you get started. 

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What happens if I can't make my repayments?

We understand that sometimes your situation can change, but it's important to keep up with your loan repayments.

Discover what happens when payments are missed and steps to prevent it.

Home loan FAQ's

A home loan, also known as a mortgage, is a type of loan you can get from a bank or non-bank lender to help buy a home. You pay a deposit, and the lender loans you the rest. You then repay the loan, plus interest and any applicable fees, over time, until you fully own the property.

Home loans are secured loans, which means the property you buy acts as security for the loan. If you’re unable to repay the loan, the lender may sell the property to recover what’s owed.

Because most people don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars saved, home loans are the most common way to buy a home in New Zealand.

In simple terms, a home loan lets you borrow the money you need to buy a house and pay it back over time.

First-home buyers face many financial hurdles. The biggest being their deposit. So, how much do you need? Let’s find out.

The amount a bank or non-bank lender is willing to lend you depends on a number of factors, including:

  • Annual income i.e. wages or salary
  • Weekly or monthly expenses i.e. utilities, insurance, school fees, groceries etc.
  • Deposit amount i.e. the amount of money you have saved for a deposit
  • Existing debts i.e. credit cards, loans, overdrafts etc.
  • Your credit score

When you submit a home loan application, the lender will assess your ability to repay the loan by reviewing the factors listed above. The outcome, if your application is approved, will determine the amount you can borrow and the interest rate you will need to pay.                                  

Interest on a home loan is typically calculated daily and then charged to the borrower at the end of the month. The interest rate charged will depend on the borrowers’ specific situation and the following can affect your rate:

  • The total amount you borrow
  • The number of years in your loan term
  • Your financial situation (borrowers with a high credit score may receive a lower interest rate)
  • Your deposit amount (typically 10-20% of the total amount borrowed as a minimum)

At Unity we offer fixed and floating interest rates.

What is a fixed home loan interest rate?

With a fixed rate home loan the interest rate you pay is fixed for a set term i.e. 6 months to 2 years. At the end of the term, you can choose to re-fix again for a new term at current interest rates, or move to a floating rate.

Advantages:

  • You know exactly how much each repayment will be over the term.
  • Lenders often offer fixed rate specials to remain competitive.
  • You can lock in lower rates if market interest rates are rising.

Disadvantages:

  • Fixed rates often have limits on how much extra you can add to your repayments without incurring charges.
  • If you take a long-term loan, there is a risk floating rates may drop below your fixed rate.
  • If you choose to sell your property and/or break a fixed loan you may be charged a ‘break fee’.

What is a floating home loan interest rate?

Floating rate loans can change as interest rates in the wider market change, normally linked to the Official Cash Rate (OCR). This means your repayments may go up or down.

TIP! You can change to a fixed rate at any time, at no cost.

Advantages:

  • You have more flexibility to make changes without incurring charges, such as increasing your repayments so you can pay off the loan early.
  • You can apply for a home loan top-up without incurring a break fee.
  • You can take advantage of decreases in interest rates

Disadvantages:

  • Floating rates have historically been higher than fixed rates.
  • When rates go up the repayments also go up, which could put a squeeze on your budget

A home loan pre-approval lets you know much you could borrow before you start looking at properties to buy. It can also speed up the process for getting a fully approved loan, once you’ve found a home you want to buy.

A pre-approval is usually conditional, which means your lender may set certain requirements that need to be met before the loan can be fully approved. These conditions will be outlined in your pre-approval or letter of offer. Pre-approvals are valid for a limited time (for example, 60 days), and if your financial situation changes during that period, you’ll need to let your lender know straight away.

So, what do you need to apply for a home loan pre-approval? Find out here!