Good Health Insurance for Kiwis

If you’re planning to buy a home in Hamilton or anywhere in the Waikato region, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: How much can I borrow for a mortgage? It’s a big decision, and the answer depends on a few key things — your income, your expenses, your deposit, and even your credit score.

What Affects How Much You Can Borrow for a Mortgage?

Income, Expenses, and Credit Score

Your income is the starting point. Lenders want to know how much you earn — and how stable that income is. If you’re employed full-time, that’s fairly straightforward. If you’re self-employed or your income varies, they’ll look more closely at your financial history to understand your earning patterns.

But income is only part of the picture. Your existing debts also play a big role. Credit cards, car loans, and other personal loans can all affect how much you’re able to borrow. Lenders consider your total financial commitments to make sure you can comfortably manage a mortgage on top of them. Keeping your debt under control shows you can handle repayments responsibly, which strengthens your application.

Deposit Size and LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio)

Your deposit is the amount of money you put toward the purchase upfront. In New Zealand, most lenders prefer a deposit of at least 20%. But there are options for lower deposits — especially for first-home buyers. You may be able to get a loan with a deposit from as little as 5%.

How Do Banks and Brokers Assess How Much You Can Borrow for a Mortgage?

Bank Assessments

When you apply directly with a bank, they’ll use their own calculator to work out how much you could borrow. They look at:

Income – not just how much you earn, but how stable it is (salary, self-employed income, or contract work).
Expenses – your everyday living costs such as food, transport, insurance, and utilities.
Debts – things like credit cards, car loans, personal loans, Afterpay, or store finance. Even small limits on unused credit cards are counted.
Deposit – how much you’ve saved or built up through KiwiSaver or other sources.

On top of that, banks apply a test (or “stress”) interest rate, which is higher than the current rate. This is to check whether you could still afford repayments if interest rates rise in the future.

Broker Assessments

Mortgage brokers, like Andre Stokes here in Hamilton, take a wider view. Instead of relying on just one bank’s criteria, brokers work with multiple lenders — each with their own calculators and lending rules. This means:

You’ll often have a better chance of approval if one bank says “no.”
You can compare borrowing amounts across lenders.
You’re more likely to find a solution that fits your income, debt, and goals.

Brokers also help you present your application in the best light — especially if you’re self-employed, have variable income, or already have existing debts.

Borrow for a Mortgage in Waikato: What’s Typical?

Waikato Property Prices

Property values across the Waikato Region can vary considerably, depending on the location:

Hamilton City: The average house price as of June 2025 is approximately NZ$788,171, according to CoreLogic data compiled by Opes Partners.
Waikato Region Overall: Median prices hover around NZ$735,000 as of June 2025, having surged from about NZ$340,000 a decade earlier.
Te Kūiti (Waitomo District): This remains one of the most affordable areas in the region. The average house value stands at NZ$392,550,

This underscores a substantial price range—from Te Kūiti’s mid-$300k to Hamilton’s upper-$700k—highlighting how location plays a pivotal role in affordability for buyers.

First-Home Buyers in Waikato

If you’re taking your first steps onto the property ladder, you may have access to several helpful schemes:

1. KiwiSaver First-Home Withdrawal

After contributing to KiwiSaver (or a complying super fund) for at least three years, you may be able to withdraw most of your savings—including member contributions, employer contributions, government contributions, and investment earnings—to help with your first home purchase.

You must leave a minimum of NZ$1,000 in your KiwiSaver account, and not all funds are withdrawable (e.g., Australian super transfers and certain government kick-start amounts may be excluded).

Withdrawals are restricted to a property you intend to live in—this cannot be used to purchase investment properties.
Check out the IRD website for more information

2. Kāinga Ora First-Home Loan

With this option, you can secure a home loan with a deposit as low as 5%, thanks to Kāinga Ora underwriting the remainder of the deposit risk for participating lenders.
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities

Eligibility criteria include being a first-home buyer (or a previous owner in a similar financial place as a first-home buyer), meeting maximum income thresholds (e.g., <$95,000 for individuals without dependants or <$150,000 combined for co-buyers), and purchasing a home you intend to live in.

The loan includes a 1.2% Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) premium, payable upfront or added to the loan balance.

Tips to Increase How Much You Can Borrow for a Mortgage

Reduce Your Debt
Banks look closely at your existing debt, such as credit cards, personal loans, and car finance. Paying these down (or closing unused credit facilities) lowers your monthly commitments, which can free up more borrowing power.
Increase Your Deposit
The bigger your deposit, the less risk the lender takes on. This can not only increase how much you’re able to borrow but may also give you access to better interest rates and more lenders.
Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit history shows lenders how reliable you are with money. Paying bills on time, avoiding missed payments, and keeping debt levels manageable can strengthen your application and make banks more willing to lend.
Use a Broker
Mortgage brokers have access to a wide range of lenders and know the different borrowing criteria. They can help present your situation in the best possible way and find a lender who’s more likely to offer you the maximum amount.

Contact Andre for a Personalised Borrowing Assessment

Every buyer is different. Your income, deposit, and goals all affect how much you can borrow for a mortgage. Andre Stokes is a local mortgage broker based in Hamilton. He knows the Waikato market and works with a range of lenders.

Ready to find out how much you can borrow? Contact Andre today for a free, personalised borrowing assessment.

Health is one of the most valuable assets you have. Protecting it with the right health insurance plan is crucial. Health insurance provides peace of mind, knowing that if you or your family face unexpected medical expenses, you’re covered. But with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to know which plan is best suited for your needs.

At Mortgage and Insurance New Zealand, Andre Stokes has been helping Kiwis secure tailored health insurance plans for over two decades. Here’s a breakdown of why having good health insurance is essential and how Andre can help you find the perfect plan.

Why Health Insurance is Important

Health insurance is designed to cover medical expenses, from doctor visits to surgeries, and even hospital stays. While New Zealand has a robust public healthcare system, there are often long waiting lists for elective surgeries and specialist treatments. Private health insurance ensures that you have quicker access to care and a wider choice of specialists and hospitals.

Without health insurance, you could be facing expensive out-of-pocket costs for treatments, surgeries, or prescriptions. With the right cover, these financial burdens are alleviated, giving you peace of mind.

Key Types of Insurance to Consider

There are various types of health insurance plans available, and it’s essential to understand which ones suit your needs. Here are the most common types of health insurance you might want to consider:

1. Comprehensive Health Insurance

Comprehensive health insurance covers a wide range of medical treatments and procedures, including GP visits, specialist consultations, hospitalisation, and surgeries. This type of insurance gives you full coverage for most medical expenses and offers peace of mind knowing that you’re protected in case of serious illness or injury.

2. Surgical and Hospital Cover

Surgical and hospital cover focuses specifically on more significant medical expenses, such as surgeries and hospital admissions. It doesn’t typically cover GP visits or prescriptions but will help you pay for any major health issues that require hospital treatment.

3. Specialist and Diagnostic Cover

This type of health insurance is tailored for people who need regular specialist consultations or diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRIs. It ensures that you can quickly access the care you need without being placed on long waiting lists.

4. GP Cover

Some health insurance policies offer cover for GP visits. While not as comprehensive as other policies, GP cover can help offset the costs of regular doctor’s appointments and prescriptions, making healthcare more affordable for everyday needs.

Why You Should Choose Andre Stokes for Your Insurance Needs

Navigating the insurance market can be daunting. With so many providers and policy options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where Andre Stokes, from Mortgage and Insurance New Zealand, comes in. With over 24 years of experience, Andre understands the unique needs of New Zealanders and can help you find the best health insurance plan for your situation.

1. Personalised Service

Every person has different health needs, and Andre ensures that your insurance policy reflects those needs. Whether you’re a young professional, starting a family, or approaching retirement, Andre will tailor a plan that works best for your circumstances.

2. Access to Multiple Providers

Andre works with a wide range of health insurance providers across New Zealand. This means he can compare plans from various insurers to ensure you get the best deal. Instead of spending hours researching yourself, you can trust Andre to find you comprehensive cover at an affordable price.

3. Expert Knowledge

With decades of experience in the insurance industry, Andre knows the ins and outs of health insurance policies. He can explain the fine print, help you understand what is and isn’t covered, and make sure you avoid unnecessary extras while securing essential coverage.

4. Ongoing Support

Health needs change over time, and so should your health insurance. Whether you need to update your policy due to a change in lifestyle or have questions about a claim, Andre is always available to provide ongoing support and advice.

How Health Insurance Can Benefit You

Health insurance isn’t just about being covered in case of emergencies. There are numerous other benefits that come with having a good health insurance policy:

1. Faster Access to Treatment

Public healthcare in New Zealand is great, but it often involves long waiting lists for non-urgent treatments. With private health insurance, you can skip the queue and access the care you need when you need it.

2. More Choice of Specialists

Health insurance gives you the flexibility to choose your specialist or surgeon, allowing you to select the healthcare professionals who are best suited to your needs.

3. Covers Expensive Treatments

Some medical treatments can be costly, especially if you need ongoing specialist care or surgeries. Health insurance ensures that you’re not left footing the bill for these expensive procedures.

4. Peace of Mind

Knowing that you and your family are protected from unexpected health expenses allows you to focus on what matters most—your well-being and quality of life.

Tailored Health Insurance Solutions for Every Stage of Life

Your health insurance needs will change as you go through different stages of life. Andre Stokes understands this and works with you to ensure that your policy grows and evolves alongside your life.

- Young Professionals: As a young adult, you may not think you need health insurance. But having a plan in place can protect you from unexpected accidents or illness that could leave you with hefty medical bills.

- Families: Once you start a family, having comprehensive health insurance becomes even more critical. Andre can help you find family health insurance policies that cover maternity, paediatric care, and everything in between.

- Retirees: As you get older, your health needs will change. Andre can help you secure a policy that provides cover for specialist care and treatments commonly needed later in life.

Get a Free Health Insurance Review Today

Health is your most valuable asset, and protecting it should be a priority. If you’re unsure whether you have the right health insurance in place, don’t worry—Andre Stokes is here to help.

Contact Andre at Mortgage and Insurance New Zealand for a free health insurance review. Andre will assess your current policy, identify any gaps, and help you find the best insurance plan to protect your health and financial future.