First Home Buyers vs. Housing Affordability: What’s Changing in New Zealand? For many New Zealanders, purchasing a first home has long been considered part of the quintessential Kiwi dream, but in the past few years, the cost of housing has faced significant challenges. A rise in property prices and interest rate fluctuations mean first-time home…
The Importance of An Insurance Review: Protecting What Matters Most If there is one thing I’ve learnt, life rarely goes according to plan and often requires us to adjust things to meet our varying needs. The same should go for your insurance coverage. If you are safeguarding your assets or protecting your business interests, an…
Understanding Home Buying Eligibility in New Zealand: Getting a Home with a 5%, 10%, or 20% Deposit Buying a home is a common dream shared by almost every Kiwi. In New Zealand, the deposit amount is fundamental in securing a property and will play a significant role in your financial stability. With so many complexities,…
Are You Really Covered? The Truth About Non-Pharmac Cover It’s a frightening reality that many Kiwis face the incredibly challenging decision of choosing between potentially life-saving medical treatment and financial upheaval. Sadly, this is not a rare situation affecting only a few hundred individuals; rather, it impacts thousands who desperately need access to medications that…
What to Consider When Interest Rates Drop? The new OCR rates are set to be announced by the RBNZ on November 26 since the last cut on 9 October to 4.75%. With what is hoped to be a positive outcome for many in the industry, there is definitely more anticipation being shared among homeowners and…
Our Insights on the Impact of OCR Cuts October has been a big month for financial news in New Zealand. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank made a significant decision by cutting the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points, reducing it to 4.75%. This is the second reduction in four years, following a…
Meet the Team: Sam Macdonald Sam Macdonald, brings a wealth of global experience to his new role as Adviser Support here at Rapson, where he is currently in training to become a Mortgage Adviser. Having recently relocated to Tauranga to be closer to family, Sam is enthusiastic about learning from Rapson’s team of seasoned experts.…
Changes to the CCCFA Regulations The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA), often referred to as the Triple CFA, is designed to help consumers make informed decisions, understand their commitments, and manage debt effectively. The act applies to all types of credit contracts, for example: Personal loans and mortgages. Borrowing money on agreed overdraft.…
The New Zealand Property Market – Winter Edition The New Zealand property market is experiencing a cooling phase as economic challenges weigh on activity. House prices, which have been steady and stable for much of the year, are showing signs of softening in response to changing market conditions. According to the Real Estate Institute of…
Meet the Team: Diana McIntyre Diana McIntyre recently joined Rapson as our Insurance Adviser, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to helping individuals and businesses secure their futures. Specialising in Personal Insurance which includes Life Cover, Trauma Cover, Income Protection, Total Permanent Disability Cover and Health Protection as well as Business Insurance such as Key Person Protection,…