Auckland — April 2026

For the better part of three years, Auckland homeowners have been putting off renovations. High interest rates, rising material costs, and a general feeling that the timing wasn't right kept thousands of bathroom gut-outs, kitchen refreshes, and overdue repairs parked firmly on the "someday" list.

That changed in March, when ANZ Bank New Zealand launched a purpose-built renovation loan — a home loan top-up at 2.5% p.a. fixed for three years. It's available to existing ANZ mortgage holders with at least 20% equity, and it covers residential renovation work between $3,000 and $50,000.

To put the rate in context: ANZ's standard floating home loan rate has been sitting around 6–7%. Borrowing $50,000 at 2.5% over three years saves roughly $2,000 in interest compared to borrowing the same amount at 5%, according to ANZ's own figures.

What It Covers

The loan covers a wide range of residential work — bathrooms, kitchens, painting, decks, flooring, windows, roofing, and landscaping all qualify. New dwelling construction and business purposes are excluded.

According to ANZ's customer survey, bathrooms were the most popular planned renovation at 38%, followed by painting at 27% and kitchens at 24%. In Auckland, where a mid-range bathroom renovation typically costs $26,000 to $35,000 and a kitchen refresh sits between $20,000 and $40,000, the $50,000 cap covers the renovations most homeowners actually want to do.

Who Qualifies

This isn't a standalone personal loan. It's a top-up to an existing ANZ home loan, secured against the property. Owner-occupiers need a minimum of 20% equity (including the top-up), and investment property owners need 30%. The offer launched on 23 March 2026 and is available for a limited time only.

There's also a companion product — ANZ's Good Energy Home Loan — that covers energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, double glazing, and heat pumps at a discounted rate. The two products can be used together, which makes sense for homeowners bundling a bathroom renovation with window upgrades or ceiling insulation.

What the Industry Is Saying

Auckland renovation companies report that enquiry levels have picked up since the announcement. The combination of lower finance costs and pent-up demand from three years of delayed projects is starting to move homeowners off the fence.

Superior Renovations, one of Auckland's larger residential renovation companies, has published a detailed guide breaking down how the ANZ Reno Loan works — covering eligibility, LVR requirements under the Reserve Bank's rules, what the loan does and doesn't cover, and how it compares to other finance options available to Auckland homeowners. The full guide is available at https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/anz-reno-loan-nz/.

Why It Matters for Auckland

Auckland's housing stock is ageing. Many homes built in the 1980s and 1990s haven't had a major renovation since they were built. Bathrooms with original fittings, kitchens with laminate benchtops and single-drawer dishwashers, and aluminium joinery that leaks heat — these are the norm in suburbs from Henderson to Howick.

A dedicated low-rate renovation product changes the maths for homeowners who've been weighing up whether to renovate or wait. At 2.5% fixed, a $35,000 bathroom renovation costs significantly less to service than the same project financed at standard mortgage rates — and the renovation itself adds value back to the property.

With the offer flagged as limited-time, homeowners considering a renovation in the next 12 months have a narrow window where the finance side of the equation is working in their favour.

Important Disclaimers

ANZ lending criteria, fees, terms, and conditions apply. The 2.5% rate and all product details described above are sourced from ANZ's March 2026 public announcements and are subject to change without notice. This article is not financial advice. Homeowners should speak directly with ANZ or a registered financial adviser before making any borrowing decisions.

About Superior Renovations Superior Renovations is an Auckland-based residential renovation company specialising in kitchen, bathroom, and full home renovations. They operate a design studio and showroom in Auckland and have completed renovations across the wider Auckland region. Website: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz. Phone: 0800 199 888.

For many New Zealand businesses, getting paid is not the same as getting paid on time.

A company can be busy, profitable on paper, and doing all the right things, but still end up under pressure if its customers are taking 30, 60, or even 90 days to settle invoices. On the surface, that can look like a normal part of doing business. In reality, long payment terms often create a quiet but serious strain on cash flow.

The problem is not always the amount of work coming in. Often, it is the gap between when a job is completed and when the money actually arrives.

Cash flow pressure builds faster than many owners expect

Most business owners know late payment is frustrating. What is easier to miss is how quickly it affects everything else.

Wages still need to be paid this week. Rent still goes out on time. Suppliers still expect payment. Tax obligations do not move just because a customer has not paid yet.

That is where the hidden cost starts to show. A business may have strong sales, but if cash is tied up in unpaid invoices, the owner can end up scrambling to cover normal operating expenses. In many cases, the business is not short of work. It is short of access to the money it has already earned.

Growth can create more pressure, not less

One of the biggest surprises for growing businesses is that increased sales do not always make life easier.

If more work means more invoices being issued on long payment terms, the business can actually come under greater pressure as it grows. More staff may be needed. More stock may need to be purchased. More materials may need to be ordered upfront. But the cash from that extra work can still be weeks or months away.

This creates a situation where growth looks healthy from the outside, while internally the business is working harder just to keep up. Without enough working capital, even a busy period can become difficult to manage.

The real cost goes beyond late payments

When businesses wait too long to be paid, the impact usually spreads well beyond the invoice itself.

Owners may delay hiring even when they need more support. They may put off marketing, equipment upgrades, or stock purchases because cash is too tight. They may lose supplier discounts because they cannot pay early. In some cases, they may start using personal funds or emergency credit just to smooth over the gap.

None of this shows up neatly on an invoice. But it affects decision-making, confidence, and the ability to plan ahead.

The cost of delayed payment is not only financial. It is also operational. It limits flexibility at exactly the point where a business needs it most.

Long payment terms shift the burden onto the business

Many businesses accept long payment terms because they feel they have little choice.

In some industries, 30 day terms are standard. In others, 60 or 90 days has become normal, especially when dealing with larger customers. The issue is that these terms effectively shift the funding burden away from the customer and onto the business delivering the work.

That means the supplier, contractor, wholesaler, or service provider is carrying the cost of that delay.

For small and medium sized businesses, that can be especially hard. Larger companies may be able to absorb long payment cycles more easily. Smaller operators often feel the pressure much sooner, even when they are trading well.

Waiting too long can reduce options

Another hidden cost is timing.

Many business owners only start looking at funding once the pressure feels urgent. By then, choices can feel more limited and the situation more stressful than it needs to be.

The better time to review cash flow is usually before things reach that stage. If invoices are regularly being paid late, or if long payment terms are putting pressure on wages, suppliers, or day to day operations, that is often a sign the business needs to take a closer look at how it is funding its working capital.

That does not always mean taking on traditional debt. It may mean using a solution that better matches the way the business gets paid.

Why more businesses are looking at invoice finance

For businesses caught between completed work and delayed payment, invoice finance is one option that is getting more attention.

Instead of waiting for customers to settle invoices, a business may be able to access funding against those unpaid invoices sooner. That can improve cash flow, reduce pressure, and make it easier to manage the normal costs of trading.

For some businesses, it is less about borrowing in the traditional sense and more about unlocking money that is already owed to them.

That can make a major difference when payment delays are affecting the ability to operate smoothly or take advantage of growth opportunities.

Cash flow should not be left to chance

There is a difference between a business having a slow month and a business carrying ongoing cash flow pressure because of the way it gets paid.

Long invoice terms are often treated as normal, but that does not mean they are harmless. When businesses are forced to wait too long for their own money, the cost can show up in missed opportunities, stalled growth, delayed payments, and unnecessary stress.

Understanding that early matters.

For New Zealand businesses, the issue is not always a lack of demand. Often, it is the gap between doing the work and seeing the cash. And when that gap gets too wide, even a profitable business can start to feel the strain.

That is why more business owners are paying closer attention to cash flow, not just turnover. Because in the end, staying busy is one thing. Staying liquid is another.

If delayed invoices are putting pressure on a business, it may be worth reviewing whether the current cash flow model is still fit for purpose. Same Day Finance helps connect New Zealand businesses with providers who may be able to assist with funding options designed to ease that gap.

Strong turnover, loyal clients and a growing business do not always translate into mortgage approval. For many self-employed New Zealanders, the problem is not a lack of income — it is the way lenders assess it.

For many self-employed Kiwis, being declined for a home loan can feel confusing, frustrating, and at times deeply unfair.

They may be running a profitable business, meeting their obligations, managing debt responsibly, and generating more income than some salaried borrowers. On the surface, they look like exactly the kind of customer a lender should want.

Yet when the application goes in, the answer can still be no.

The issue is not always whether the borrower can afford the loan. More often, it comes down to whether their income fits the way mainstream lenders prefer to assess risk.

That distinction matters.

Banks are built around consistency. Salaried borrowers generally present a straightforward picture: a fixed income, regular payslips, PAYE history, and a clean paper trail. It is easy to verify and relatively easy to predict.

Self-employed income is rarely that simple.

A contractor may have strong annual earnings but uneven monthly cash flow. A company director may leave profits in the business rather than drawing them personally. A small business owner may legitimately reduce taxable income through expenses, only to find that what makes sense from a tax perspective does not help when it comes to borrowing. Another borrower may have multiple income streams that add up to a healthy overall position but look complicated when assessed line by line.

That is where many profitable self-employed borrowers run into trouble.

The business itself may be sound. The cash flow may be there. The long-term outlook may be positive. But if the income story is hard to package neatly into a standard lending framework, the application can become difficult very quickly.

In simple terms, profitability is not always the same as bank-ready income.

A borrower can be doing well in real life while still looking borderline on paper.

Timing also plays a major role. Business financials are backward-looking by nature. By the time accounts are prepared, signed off, and submitted, they may already be telling an older story. A business owner who has had a strong six or twelve months may still be judged largely on an earlier period that looked weaker, flatter, or more inconsistent.

That gap between present reality and recorded history can be a major problem.

A self-employed borrower may know their business is moving in the right direction. They may have repeat clients, future work booked, and a healthy pipeline. But lenders often place greater weight on completed accounts than current momentum. From a risk perspective, that caution is understandable. From the borrower’s perspective, it can feel like the system is ignoring what is actually happening on the ground.

This is especially common among borrowers who are not brand new, but not yet “perfect” on paper either.

Someone who has been self-employed for 12 to 18 months may be well past the start-up stage and trading strongly, but still not have the depth of financial history some lenders prefer. Likewise, a business owner who has had one softer year — perhaps due to reinvestment, a change in structure, or a temporary market slowdown — may find that a single dip carries more weight than the broader trend.

The result is that many capable borrowers end up being assessed less on the strength of their business and more on how easy they are to fit into a standard approval model.

That does not mean banks are getting it wrong.

It means they are cautious, system-driven, and designed to apply consistent lending rules across large volumes of applications. They are not built to assess every self-employed borrower in a highly customised way. Simplicity is easier to measure, so simplicity often gets rewarded.

The challenge is that modern work is becoming less simple.

More New Zealanders now earn through contracting, freelancing, consulting, company ownership, and multiple income streams. For many people, the traditional model of one employer, one salary, and one clean set of payslips no longer reflects the way they actually make a living.

That creates a growing mismatch between real earning power and assessable income.

It is one reason specialist advisers, including teams such as NonBank, often see borrowers who are not poor credit risks at all — they just sit outside the standard bank box.

And that is an important point. A decline is not always a judgment on the borrower’s financial strength. Often, it is a reflection of structure, timing, documentation, or policy.

Understanding that can make a real difference.

For self-employed borrowers, the best next step is often not giving up, but getting clearer on how their income is being presented. Up-to-date accounts, cleaner separation between business and personal spending, clearer evidence of ongoing work, and a better understanding of how drawings, retained earnings, and expenses affect serviceability can all improve the picture. In some cases, a specialist lending pathway may also help bridge the gap until the borrower is better aligned with mainstream lending criteria.

What matters most is recognising that the problem is often not income alone.

It is how that income is interpreted.

As self-employment becomes a bigger part of New Zealand’s economy, that issue is only likely to become more visible. Many self-employed Kiwis are financially capable, commercially experienced, and entirely able to meet home loan commitments. But unless lending models continue to evolve, plenty of them will keep hearing no — not because they are failing, but because their income is more complex than the system is comfortable with.

For borrowers, that can feel personal.

In reality, it is often structural.

And for a growing number of profitable self-employed New Zealanders, that structure is the real hurdle standing between them and home ownership.

Loansmart has reached a major milestone, recording its 1,000th verified customer review after 17 years of operating in New Zealand’s consumer lending sector.

The milestone reflects thousands of individual lending experiences and underscores the company’s long-standing commitment to people-first, responsible lending.

To acknowledge the milestone, Loansmart has quietly recognised the customer who authored the 1,000th review with a $1,000 cash gift. The decision was made only after the review was posted and verified, rather than being announced in advance.

Founder Murray Greig personally contacted the reviewer to thank them for sharing their experience.

“We were very deliberate about how we handled this,” Greig said. “We didn’t want to encourage reviews for the sake of hitting a number.”

The milestone review was written by Sarah H, who described clear communication, friendly service, and consistent support throughout her lending journey. In her original review, she praised consultant Sahil for making the process straightforward and easy to understand.

After being contacted by Loansmart, Sarah followed up with a message describing the impact the loan had made on her household.

“We’ve paid all our bills off thanks to the loan and we are free to breathe a little,” she said. “This wasn’t possible without your team. We’re also going to be giving back to the community with this.”

Greig said the response was a powerful reminder of the real-world impact behind each review.

“She didn’t think they would qualify for a loan, but our team was able to find a solution that worked for them,” he said. 

Loansmart says reviews have accumulated organically over time, often from customers who felt listened to after being declined elsewhere or supported through complex financial situations such as debt consolidation, refinancing, or changing personal circumstances.

The company is currently the only loan brokerage in New Zealand to hold affiliate membership with the Financial Services Federation (FSF).The FSF promotes responsible lending, industry best practice, and professional conduct, and supports members through advocacy, standards development, and compliance guidance.

“All of our consultants operate as registered financial advisers, which means every recommendation must be suitable, transparent, and in the client’s best interests,” Greig said. “Our FSF affiliation complements that by keeping us connected to industry best practice and ongoing professional standards

Customer reviews frequently reference clear explanations, respectful treatment, and practical lending structures - particularly in situations involving multiple debts or previous declines.

Each review represents a point where someone’s financial position shifted in a meaningful way,” Greig said.

Loansmart says the milestone reinforces its focus on responsible, people-centred lending as it continues to support New Zealanders navigating financial pressure. The company’s slogan Smarter Loans >> Faster  reflects the ethos that underpins every customer interaction.

ASB has lifted some of its fixed home loan and term deposit rates and lowered its 6-month home loan rate to a market leading 4.65%, in response to longer term wholesale rate movements.

Fixed mortgage rates are influenced by a variety of different market forces, including customer deposit rates, operating costs, the cost of overseas funding and wholesale interest rates. Unlike variable rates which are connected to the Official Cash Rate (OCR), fixed rates are more influenced by wholesale markets – essentially the price banks pay to buy the money they lend out. Right now, those wholesale costs are higher which flows through to home loan rates on some terms.

"While today's adjustments reflect the reality of higher funding costs, the change in market conditions is good news for some of our savers with term deposit rates increasing by up to 35 basis points," says Adam Boyd, ASB's Executive General Manager Personal Banking.

ASB has practical information for customers on the current interest rate environment available on its website as well as support to help customers take control of their financial wellbeing and achieve their goals at its Financial Wellbeing Hub.

The Banking Ombudsman is reminding Kiwis to take a few simple steps to protect their finances and get help if they need it over the holidays.

Watch out for scams

Scammers know people are busy and distracted at this time of year. Be wary of calls, emails or messages that result in requests for PINs, passwords or authorisation codes. Stop and check by contacting the organisation on the number from its website or via its secure site - not the one in the message. In one case, a customer received a call from someone claiming to be from her bank. She shared security codes with who she thought was her bank, leading to a $30,000 loss before the fraud was detected.

Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden said: "Scammers love the festive rush - don't let them ruin your holiday. Stop and check before you click, share or pay."

Know your rights with chargebacks

If something you buy online with your credit or debit card doesn't arrive or isn't as described, you may be able to request a chargeback through your bank. This reverses a transaction when products or services aren't provided as agreed. Act quickly - time limits apply - and keep records of your purchase and attempts to resolve the issue.

In one case, a customer booked a hotel room with free cancellation, but after confirming the booking, the details changed to two rooms priced in US dollars. The customer was charged NZ$481.85 and got no response from the merchant. The bank declined to initiate a chargeback, but we found it had overlooked a valid ground to claim a chargeback. As a result of our investigation, the bank reimbursed the full amount, plus $100 for inconvenience.

Ms Sladden said: "If your holiday booking goes wrong, you don't receive goods bought online or they aren't as described, a chargeback could save the day - but act fast and keep good records."

Banks are here to help - even during the holidays

If you spot an unauthorised transaction, have trouble making a payment, or are struggling with loan repayments, contact your bank straightaway. Most banks have support over the festive period, so don't wait until the New Year to get help.

Ms Sladden said: "Banks are open and ready to help, even during the holidays. If something's not right, reach out straightaway."

For more tips and real-life case examples, visit bankomb.org.nz/guides-and-cases.

The Taxpayers' Union is delighted Nicola Willis is going to front up for a debate on the country's fiscal pathway. All National Party Finance Ministers since Muldoon have had to tackle structural deficits inherited from Labour. Nicola Willis' challenge is no different to what Ruth, then Sir Bill English, faced.

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

"Ruth is more than happy to debate the Government's debt, levels of public spending, balancing the books, and growth."

"The Government promised to reduce public spending. It's now higher than when Grant Robertson left office."

"The Government promised to tackle Labour's 30 percent increase in bureaucrats. They've managed to reduce the size of the core public service by not even one percent."

"The Government promised to get the books back into surplus. Unless you count a newly invented OBEGALx measure, the Government's fiscal pathway never gets New Zealand back into surplus."

"The Government promised 'growth, growth, growth'. GDP per capita is lower than when Grant Robertson was in office."

"The Government promised to reduce borrowing. Borrowing is still near Grant Robertson-era levels."

"Ruth is ready to debate the sorry state of our fiscal position after the release of the HYEFU next week."

The Taxpayers' Union are already speaking to various media organisations about the logistics of hosting next week. Media outlets interested in carrying or covering the debate are encouraged to get in touch.

The Taxpayers' Union is welcoming Finance Minister Barbara Edmonds' comments over the weekend that she will prioritise fiscal consolidation and getting the Government's books back in order.

Taxpayers' Union Spokesperson, Tory Relf, said:

"New Zealand can't keep running the country on the credit card. It's an encouraging sign to hear a possible future Finance Minister talking about balancing the books, but talk is the easy part."

"Prime Minister Luxon wanted to avoid a sugar hit but Nicola Willis is still spending more today than when Grant Robertson left office. Anyone who claims the solution is higher taxes rather than trimming back wasteful spending hasn't been paying attention to what households and businesses are already dealing with."

"It's going to take line by line inspection throughout the Budget, cutting programmes that aren't delivering, and stopping the habit of throwing money at problems in the hope they go away to get back to surplus. With Government debt now over $142,000 per household, more tax hikes are not the answer. Wellington finally needs to learn to live within its means."

Credit demand is surging again as New Zealanders return to the borrowing market. The latest Centrix Credit Indicator Report (September 2025) shows consumer credit demand rose 5.6% year-on-year, led by a 4.4% increase in personal-loan applications — the highest level since December last year.

While borrowing activity is increasing, the data also reveals that personal-loan arrears remain elevated at 9.0%, only slightly lower than earlier in the year and still above the same period in 2024. This combination of rising credit demand and persistent arrears highlights the importance of smart financial management heading into the busiest spending season of the year.

A Smarter Way to Manage Debt

At East Bay Finance, the team has found that sometimes the best way to move forward financially isn’t by taking on new debt - it’s by taking a closer look at what you already have.

For many Kiwis, restructuring existing loans can deliver significant benefits. By consolidating multiple debts into one well-structured loan, borrowers can often lower repayments, reduce costs, and free up space in their weekly budget.

From Stress to Stability

East Bay’s lending specialists regularly see the difference a tailored loan restructure can make. From families coping with higher living costs to homeowners catching up on overdue repayments, smart consolidation helps borrowers regain control, reduce pressure, and plan ahead with confidence.

With personal-loan arrears sitting at 9%, now is the ideal time to review your finances. A quick assessment before the expense peak of Christmas and the New Year can uncover ways to cut costs, simplify repayments, and start 2026 in a stronger position.

East Bay Finance has built its reputation on transparency, responsibility, and care.  Every recommendation is made with one goal in mind - helping clients borrow smarter, not harder. 

Seventeen years after first launching,  Loansmart is on track to celebrate a major milestone - its 1,000th verified customer review - a reflection of the company’s ongoing commitment to smarter, people-focused lending.

From its inception, Loansmart has aimed to take the stress out of borrowing by tailoring solutions to each client’s financial situation. Rather than focusing solely on approvals, the team takes time to understand a customer’s broader goals - whether that means simplifying debt, restructuring repayments, or freeing up cash flow to reduce pressure.

This commitment has struck a chord with thousands of New Zealanders who value Loansmart’s empathetic, practical approach. Reviews consistently highlight respectful service, proactive communication, and genuine advocacy from consultants who “see the person, not just the numbers.”

Customers frequently cite faster approvals, clear explanations, and relief from financial stress - key outcomes the company says define its brand of smarter lending - faster.

Guided by Integrity and Industry Standards

Loansmart’s customer-first approach is backed by its affiliate membership to the Financial Services Federation (FSF) — the professional body representing responsible lenders across New Zealand.

“As members of the Financial Services Federation, Loansmart is committed to the highest standards of responsible lending and integrity,” says Murray Greig. “FSF membership gives us access to regulatory guidance, training, and best-practice frameworks, ensuring our advice remains compliant, transparent, and in our clients’ best interests.”

The FSF Code of Conduct requires members to act with due care and diligence, uphold the public interest, and maintain professionalism in all dealings. Loansmart says those values are central to its mission of improving clients’ long-term financial wellbeing.

Reviews that Tell the Real Story

Loansmart credits its growth to the voices of its customers. Clients regularly share stories of being turned away elsewhere before finding a solution through Loansmart’s wide network of lenders. Many describe consolidating multiple debts, lowering repayments, or regaining control over their finances - often within days.

“Our team genuinely cares about finding a smarter way forward,” the spokesperson said. “When people are under pressure, what they need most is clarity, respect, and fast, fair outcomes. That’s what we’ve built our reputation on.”

Seventeen Years of Service — and Still Growing

Approaching 1,000 public reviews marks more than just a number for Loansmart; it represents thousands of individual New Zealanders who have found support, understanding, and better options through responsible lending.

“We’re proud of the milestone, but even prouder of the difference behind each review,” the company said. “It proves that finance done with integrity can change lives - and that’s the reason we started in the first place.”

Loansmart continues to expand its team and network of lenders as it helps more New Zealanders restructure smarter, borrow confidently, and achieve genuine financial relief.

Rising Loan Arrears Prompt Loansmart Founder to Urge Kiwis to Restructure Smarter Before Christmas

With new data showing nearly one in ten New Zealanders are behind on personal loan repayments, Loansmart founder Murray Greig is encouraging borrowers under financial pressure to seek advice early and explore ways to improve their loan structure before Christmas.

According to the latest Centrix Credit Indicator Report (August 2025), more than 480,000 New Zealanders are currently behind on at least one repayment — around 12.4 percent of all credit-active consumers. While late-stage arrears have eased slightly and mortgage arrears have dipped to 1.38 percent, financial stress remains widespread across personal lending.

“These numbers represent more than data points — they reflect real people under pressure,” says Greig. “As living costs rise and the holiday season approaches, we’re hearing from more households who want to understand how they can consolidate debt, lower repayments, and create a bit of breathing space in their budgets.”

A Practical Option: Restructuring Debt

Greig says many New Zealanders could benefit from reviewing their existing loans rather than taking on new debt.

“For some borrowers, a simple restructure can make a significant difference,” he explains. “By consolidating multiple debts into a single, well-structured loan, people can often reduce repayments and free up room in their budgets before Christmas. It’s not about borrowing more; it’s about borrowing smarter.”

Loansmart data shows that clients who have recently consolidated debts have reduced their weekly repayments by anywhere from $100 to $400, creating financial flexibility and stability ahead of the summer months.

Educating Borrowers Through Real Stories

Each month, Loansmart highlights two real-life borrower stories to demonstrate how restructuring can make a measurable difference. These case studies show how everyday New Zealanders - from families managing multiple debts to individuals caught by unexpected expenses - have been able to lower their repayments and regain control through smarter loan structures.

The company says these stories are shared to educate and inform, helping people understand that borrowing smarter, not necessarily more, can improve their financial wellbeing and give them room to breathe.

A Pioneer in Online Lending

Murray Greig’s perspective comes with the benefit of experience. With a 40-year career in lending and finance, he began in New Zealand’s banking sector before moving to the UK, and later founded the country’s first online lending companies, Finance Direct, in 1998.

Seeing that large banks were not always meeting customer needs, Greig launched Loansmart to provide a more personalised, transparent approach to lending. Over the past 17 years, that philosophy has helped thousands of clients restructure debt and improve financial stability.

Guided by Integrity and Industry Standards

Loansmart’s approach is backed by its status as a licensed Financial Advice Provider and proud member of the Financial Services Federation (FSF) - the professional body representing responsible lenders across New Zealand. They are the only Loan Brokers that are affiliate members. 

“As members of the Financial Services Federation, Loansmart is committed to the highest standards of responsible lending and integrity,” Murray says. “FSF membership gives us access to regulatory guidance, training, and best-practice frameworks, ensuring our advice remains compliant, transparent, and in our clients’ best interests.”

The FSF Code of Conduct requires members to act with due care and diligence, uphold the public interest, and maintain professionalism in all dealings — principles Loansmart says are central to its mission of improving clients’ long-term financial wellbeing.

With cost-of-living pressures stretching household budgets and the holiday season fast approaching, more New Zealanders are re-examining how they borrow. According to Auckland Loans, many people who apply for a personal loan aren’t chasing luxuries—they’re trying to keep up with everyday costs.

“Time and again, we meet borrowers who have managed carefully all year, then one unexpected expense—a dental bill, a car repair, or higher rent—pushes things over the edge,” says Corby Price of Auckland Loans.

Recent Centrix data shows almost one in ten Kiwis with personal loans are now behind on repayments, underscoring how easily small shocks can turn into financial strain. Corby says the answer isn’t always to borrow more, but to restructure existing loans so repayments become affordable and predictable again.

Banks, Finance Companies and Brokers—What’s the Difference?

Traditional banks remain a trusted option, but their approval processes can be lengthy, often involving multiple forms, in-person meetings and rigid lending criteria.

Online finance companies have certainly made borrowing faster and more convenient. However, they may work with a limited set of loan products, meaning fewer options for borrowers. 

Loan brokers, unlike banks or single-source lenders, brokers don’t lend their own funds — they work across a network of trusted lenders, comparing interest rates, loan structures, and repayment terms to find the best fit for each client. This wider access gives borrowers more flexibility, whether they have strong credit histories or are rebuilding their financial position.

Licensed Financial Advisers and FSF Members: A Higher Standard of Service

However, not all brokers are the same. Some are also Licensed Financial Advisers, such as the team at Auckland Loans. Being licensed means they are legally required to act in the borrower’s best financial interests, putting people before profit and focusing on sustainable outcomes rather than short-term sales bridges that gap — combining speed and choice with professional financial guidance borrowers can trust.

“I'm quite proud of the tailored options we can offer, and speed in which we have been able to meet our clients needs,” Corby Price of Auckland Loans said. “We make sure clients understand all their options and choose the structure that genuinely fits their situation.”

Smart Moves Before the Holiday Season

With Christmas spending and summer travel costs on the horizon, Auckland Loans urges borrowers to review their loan structures now rather than waiting until stress peaks. In many cases, simply lowering existing repayments through consolidation can free up extra cash. The company reports that many clients who switch to them save between $400 and $2,000 a month — sometimes even more through smarter loan structuring. 

To help, the company offers a free, no-obligation loan assessment to identify opportunities for smarter, fairer finance and help New Zealanders head into the new year with greater confidence and financial breathing room.