Economists split on RBNZ OCR cut: How much will the Reserve Bank lower rates in February?
Debate among economists is starting to emerge on how much the RBNZ will cut the OCR at its next review on 19 February.
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To fix or not to fix: Mortgage rate decisions a key theme for 2025
In recent months, falls in mortgage rates have understandably meant there’s been a strong focus on the ‘short end’ of the curve, with borrowers mostly choosing floating rates or 6-12 month fixes. However, the timing of a possible shift to longer-term fixed rates is shaping up as a key theme in the mortgage market this year.
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1 Bluestone’s mortgage book sold
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2 Bank resourcing should have been a ComCom recommendation
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3 Challenger looks to expansion of servicing non-bank mortgage loans
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4 To fix or not to fix: Mortgage rate decisions a key theme for 2025
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5 Economists split on RBNZ OCR cut: How much will the Reserve Bank lower rates in February?
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Property News
Leaving last year's stumbling housing market behind
As interest rates ease and job losses climb, New Zealand’s housing market faces a mixed year of modest growth, with conflicting forces shaping the outlook for homebuyers and investors.
Don’t bet on house prices rising faster than incomes
Former Reserve Bank Governor and National Party leader Don Brash says there are grounds for believing that house prices may finally have ended the three-decade period when they rose significantly faster than incomes.
Similar Price Growth
Although houses prices typically rise more than apartments over the long-term, the gap is not as wide as many people expect.
Top Mortgage Rates
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 4.89 |
| Heartland Bank - Online | 5.49 |
| Unity First Home Buyer special | 5.49 |
| ASB Bank | 5.59 |
| Co-operative Bank - First Home Special | 5.69 |
| TSB Special | 5.69 |
| Nelson Building Society | 5.75 |
| Unity | 5.79 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.79 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.79 |
| ICBC | 5.79 |
| Heartland Bank - Online | 5.39 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.49 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.49 |
| Westpac Special | 5.49 |
| ASB Bank | 5.49 |
| Unity | 5.55 |
| ICBC | 5.59 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.59 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.59 |
| TSB Special | 5.59 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 5.59 |
| Westpac Special | 5.59 |
| BNZ - Classic | 5.59 |
| ICBC | 5.59 |
| TSB Special | 5.69 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.69 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.79 |
| ASB Bank | 5.79 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 5.89 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.89 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.89 |
| BNZ - Std | 5.89 |
| AIA - Back My Build | 4.94 |
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 4.94 |
| CFML 321 Loans | 5.80 |
| CFML Home Loans | 6.25 |
| Co-operative Bank - Standard | 6.95 |
| ICBC | 6.95 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 6.95 |
| Heartland Bank - Online | 6.99 |
| Kiwibank | 7.25 |
| Kiwibank Special | 7.25 |
| Kiwibank - Offset | 7.25 |
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A few little home loan rate cuts; Split forecasts on next OCR decision
Two banks, ASB and Westpac, have cut home loan rates. Westpac has shaved 20 basis points off its six month rate, while ASB has been more expansive taking 20 points off its six month, one year and 18 month rates.
See how they stack up on the six month rate against each other and their competitors.
Economists Split on RBNZ OCR Cut: How Much Will the Reserve Bank Lower Rates in February? [READ ON]