Can self-employed borrowers get a mortgage in New Zealand?

Yes. Many lenders support self-employed borrowers, although the documentation requirements can differ from standard PAYE applications.

What is a bridging loan?

A bridging loan provides short-term funding to help purchase a property before the sale of an existing one settles.

Do I need to use the same bank for my home loan and investment property?

No. Many investors structure lending across multiple lenders to improve flexibility and borrowing capacity.

Auckland Harbour Bridge Red tone overlay

Mortgage Basics Opinion TLDR

NZ Property Market Update 19 June 26 | Auckland’s Back Over $1m, But Buyers Still Hold the Cards

Luminate Team

June 18, 2026

The property market may still be in low gear, but this week brought a few new road signs. House prices edged up, petrol prices edged down, Auckland crossed back over $1 million, and both major political parties gave the sector something to think about.

TLDR; by Luminate | 19 June 2026

Prices rise, but buyers still have the upper hand

The national median sale price reached $775,000 in May, up 1.3% year-on-year.

However, sales fell 12.6% compared with last May, while the number of homes available for sale increased 5%. That means buyers still have plenty of choice and room to negotiate.

Read the full REINZ report

Auckland climbs back above $1 million

Auckland’s median sale price reached $1,005,000, up 2.6% annually. It is a notable milestone, but high stock levels and slower selling times suggest sellers should not start chilling the champagne just yet.

Labour’s CGT returns to the conversation

Labour brought its proposed capital gains tax back into focus this week as part of its plan to fund free maternity scans.

The proposed tax would apply at 28% to profits made after 1 July 2027 from the sale of residential investment and commercial property. The family home, farms, KiwiSaver, shares, businesses and inheritances would be exempt.

The policy would depend on Labour winning the election, but it could still influence investor confidence and future property decisions.

Building paperwork gets a speed boost

The Government announced that councils will have 10 working days, rather than 20, to issue Project Information Memorandums. A PIM is not a building consent, but faster processing could help reduce delays for new builds and development projects.

That's the TLDR this week

Buyers still have choice, sellers need to stay realistic, and investors now have fresh political policy to factor into the mix. The market may not be racing ahead, but with prices stabilising, buyers staying active and policy changes aimed at unlocking more development, there are encouraging signs the road ahead is starting to open up.

Disclaimer: This article is general market commentary only and is not financial advice. Property markets, lending criteria, and interest rates can change quickly, so always do your own research and seek advice based on your own circumstances before making financial decisions.