While New Zealand’s interest rate is as low as it’s ever been, many home buyers have been tempted into spending more. But, as Finance Minister Steven Joyce warns, it’s vital that buyers think ahead when buying property, and take into consideration whether their mortgage debt will still be affordable in three or four years’ time if rates were to rise. Read on to find out more.

A number of banks are tightening up on lending in the wake of a cooling property market, with lenders more reluctant now than ever to do bridging finance. And could those holiday snaps actually make your insurance more expensive? Find out more in this month’s finance article.

Most people are pretty savvy when it comes to ensuring their valuable possessions, like a car, house or boat, because not insuring them means taking a sizeable financial risk. In fact, around 95 per cent of New Zealanders are covered against loss due to disaster, accident or theft. But when it comes to life insurance, many have little or no insurance cover. Are you covered? Here are seven insurance mistakes you could already be making.

If you’re taking out your first mortgage, you probably just want to get the paperwork done and dusted so you can move into your first home. That often means accepting the first mortgage package you manage to secure. By being actively involved in the mortgage process and taking the time to understand the finer details and compare offers, you can shave years off your mortgage repayments and save thousands of dollars. Here’s how you can take control of your mortgage.