Best Mortgage Brokers in New Zealand
We assessed 192 mortgage brokers in New Zealand and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume, and how recent the reviews are. How we rank →
Last updated: 7 Aug 2026
Before you hire
A mortgage broker accesses multiple lenders and can often find better rates or structures than going directly to a bank. Ask how many lenders they work with, whether they are paid a commission by the lender, and how they will explain your options if the cheapest rate is not necessarily the best structure for your situation.
Top 5 Mortgage Brokers in New Zealand
The top 5 mortgage brokers in New Zealand are Squirrel, Squirrel Mortgages, Loan Market Central, Loan Market Paulette Trotter, and Squirrel South Island, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you choose.
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1
Squirrel (formerly The Home Loan Shop)
★ 5.0 968 reviews Top5 Score 2025★ 951 4★ 12 1★ 5Squirrel gets first home buyers and refinancers to settlement, with named advisers including Nelson, Blake, Steven, Rose, and Oli each working through the full process from initial inquiry to approved loan. When one bank says no, advisers pivot to another lender without drama, and they connect clients with referrals for lawyers and insurance so the whole purchase stays coordinated.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers wanting patient, plain-language guidance
- ✓ Advisers answer repeated questions across the full purchase process
- ✓ Switches lenders mid-process when one bank creates a roadblock
- ✓ Explains mortgage terms in plain language first home buyers can follow
location_on 34 Manners Street, Te Aro, Wellington
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2
Squirrel Mortgages & Investments
★ 4.9 922 reviews Top5 Score 2015★ 883 4★ 15 3★ 6 2★ 3 1★ 15Squirrel Mortgages matches clients buying first homes, refinancing, and purchasing investment properties with named advisers who carry them through the full process, including loan structuring, fixed-rate options, revolving credit, and bank negotiations. Advisers like Sam, Jessica, Shiva, and Tina are each known for responding outside business hours and securing rates and cashback clients say they could not have found independently.
Reviews most often describe: Buyers wanting a named adviser from inquiry to settlement
- ✓ Advisers available for calls on evenings and weekends when needed
- ✓ Bank negotiations regularly result in competitive rates and cashback
- ✓ First home buyers guided through every question without time pressure
location_on 29 Sale Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
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3
Loan Market Central | Mortgage Advisers
★ 5.0 841 reviews Top5 Score 2005★ 834 4★ 7Loan Market Central takes first home buyers, refinancers, and returning clients through loan structuring, KiwiSaver guidance, and insurance checks, with named advisers including Vijay, Cameron, Courtney, and Samantha each carrying clients from first inquiry through to settlement. Beyond the loan itself, advisers flag savings opportunities in connected areas like insurance, and clients on tight settlement timelines credit the team for keeping everything on track without needing to be chased.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers and refinancers wanting proactive mortgage structuring
- ✓ Advisers check insurance and KiwiSaver deals alongside the mortgage
- ✓ Tight settlement deadlines met without clients needing to follow up
- ✓ Regular, proactive updates kept clients informed at every stage
location_on 381 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
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4
Loan Market - Paulette Trotter East Auckland
★ 5.0 1,028 reviews Top5 Score 2005★ 1,024 4★ 4Loan Market Paulette Trotter fights for approvals on difficult applications, including low-deposit buyers carrying personal debt, and has secured rate matches plus cashback from existing lenders when switching would have cost clients more. Paulette and her team, including Rachel and Maureen, coordinate directly with lawyers and banks to resolve hold-ups, so clients are not left chasing answers themselves.
Reviews most often describe: Complex or unconventional cases other brokers might avoid
- ✓ Advised clients to stay put when switching would cost them more
- ✓ Negotiated cashback deals alongside competitive rate fixes for clients
- ✓ Multiple reviews cite repeat use across several years and purchases
location_on 5h Aviemore Drive, Highland Park, Auckland
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5
Squirrel South Island (formerly NZ Mortgages)
★ 4.9 669 reviews Top5 Score 1965★ 650 4★ 10 3★ 1 1★ 8Squirrel South Island covers first home purchases, refinancing, and mortgage renewals, with named advisers including Ange, Ed, Mark, Tasmania, Holly, Ari, Jamie, Nathan, Faye, and Adam each working clients through from initial inquiry to settled loan. Advisers are known for sitting down in person to walk through lending options and interest rates, and for staying patient through lengthy timelines when buyers are still finding the right property.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers and refinancers wanting calm, clear guidance
- ✓ Advisers negotiate rates clients say beat what banks offered directly
- ✓ First home buyers guided through offers, timelines, and lawyer coordination
- ✓ Self-employed and lower-deposit applications taken through to approval
location_on 575 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch
Before you choose a mortgage broker in New Zealand
Common themes, pricing patterns, and watch-outs drawn from customer reviews and independent research.
What does a mortgage broker cost, and who pays? expand_more
Lenders pay mortgage brokers directly, so most borrowers pay nothing out of pocket. Upfront commissions run around 0.55% to 0.85% of the loan amount, with trail commissions of roughly 0.15% to 0.20% per year on the remaining balance. Under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013, brokers regulated by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) must disclose these commissions in writing before giving advice. Ask for a full breakdown by lender so you can judge whether the recommendation reflects your best outcome or a higher-paying lender relationship.
Do brokers have access to all banks and lenders, or just some? expand_more
No broker in New Zealand has access to every lender in the market. Most work from a panel of roughly 10 to 20 or more lenders, which may include registered banks, non-bank lenders, and specialist lenders depending on which aggregator group the broker belongs to. Ask any broker upfront for their full lender list and whether non-bank or specialist lenders are included, since a narrower panel can limit your options without you realising it. All brokers must hold a Financial Advice Provider licence or operate under a licensed entity overseen by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), so you can verify their status before committing.
What can a broker do that I couldn't do going direct to a bank? expand_more
A broker compares lending options across multiple institutions at once, which reviewers credit for securing better rates and cashback than they could negotiate themselves, including deals one reviewer was told were unavailable going direct. Brokers also know which lenders are currently receptive to unusual situations, such as single-income households, new arrivals, or buyers with small deposits, and several reviews show brokers securing approvals that other advisers had not even attempted to pursue. Beyond rate hunting, they handle paperwork, liaise directly with lawyers, and manage communication with the bank so buyers are not left chasing updates themselves.
What are the warning signs of a mortgage broker you shouldn't use? expand_more
- –You are repeatedly chasing them for updates rather than receiving proactive communication at key milestones.
- –Attention to detail is poor, with errors in paperwork or missed details that add stress to an already high-stakes process.
- –Options are not explained clearly or in plain language, leaving you uncertain about what you have agreed to.
- –Commission structures and lender relationships are not disclosed upfront or in writing before advice is given.
- –KiwiSaver or insurance recommendations come without clear explanation of fees or conflicts of interest, as one review flagged a fund switch to a provider charging 2.5 times the fees without verbal disclosure.
- –Appointment times are missed or significantly late, signalling the business is not managing client commitments well.
What should you ask before choosing a mortgage broker? expand_more
- –Which lenders are on your panel, and are non-bank or specialist lenders included?
- –How are you paid, which lenders pay you commission, and can you provide that disclosure in writing before we start?
- –How long does the approval process take from application to conditional approval, and what can slow it down?
- –Will you handle all communication with the bank and lawyer, or will I need to follow up directly?
- –How will you keep me updated, and what is your expected response time for questions?
- –Have you worked with borrowers in situations similar to mine, such as small deposits, single incomes, or complex income structures?
More top mortgage brokers in New Zealand
The next five highest-scoring mortgage brokers in New Zealand. Worth considering if your first choices aren't available.
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6
MortgageMe
↑ 1★ 5.0 785 reviews +21 Top5 Score 1965★ 769 4★ 13 3★ 1 1★ 2MortgageMe guides first home buyers through the full purchase process, with named advisers including Marie, Hayden, Becky, and Daryl each handling loan structuring, deposit breakdowns, and bank submissions from start to settlement. Advisers take the time to explain loan options clients did not know existed, and prepare structured to-do lists and expectation guides so buyers always know what is coming next.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers wanting a named, hands-on adviser
- ✓ Named adviser manages the process from inquiry through to settlement
- ✓ Repeat clients return to the same adviser for subsequent mortgages
- ✓ Advisers present loan options clients were unaware of before meeting
location_on 155 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
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7
Home Loan Factory
↓ 1★ 5.0 631 reviews Top5 Score 1965★ 628 4★ 1 1★ 2Home Loan Factory takes first home buyers, refinancers, and clients refixing existing loans through the full process, with named advisers including Deepak, Divya, Gagan, Andrew, and Andy each staying available from first inquiry through to settlement. When applications face complications, like single-income households with dependants, advisers map out alternative options and work in the background between client contact so momentum is not lost.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers and refinancers wanting consistent personal support
- ✓ Secured approvals for single-income applicants with dependant children
- ✓ Cashback and rate negotiation when switching banks at refix time
- ✓ Multiple named brokers each carry their own clients start to finish
location_on 103 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington
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8
Global Financial Services
★ 4.9 878 reviews Top5 Score 1955★ 842 4★ 21 3★ 1 2★ 4 1★ 10Global Financial Services handles first home purchases, refinancing, and mortgage refixing, with named advisers including Gurjeet, Ayush, Parveer, Kushal, and Rohan each guiding clients through the full process. Beyond initial approval, advisers structure loans to shorten repayment terms, flag refixing opportunities unprompted, and step in for each other so clients stay supported when their usual contact is away.
Reviews most often describe: Clients wanting long-term mortgage management and proactive refixing
- ✓ Advisers proactively contact clients when home loans are due for refixing
- ✓ Backup advisers like Darshan step in seamlessly when primary broker is away
- ✓ Complex financial structures explained in plain language throughout the process
location_on Kudos Business Centre, 19/203 Kirkbride Road, Māngere, Auckland
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9
Loan Market Dunedin
↑ 1★ 5.0 816 reviews +25 Top5 Score 1955★ 804 4★ 10 2★ 1 1★ 1Loan Market Dunedin takes first home buyers, repeat purchasers, and clients adding renovation loans through the full mortgage process, with named advisers including Gary, Jacqui, Ben, Ryan, and Sally each carrying clients from first inquiry to settled loan. Clients return across multiple properties and years, with some keeping Gary as their adviser after relocating to another city entirely.
Reviews most often describe: First home buyers and repeat purchasers wanting long-term broker relationships
- ✓ Advisers guide first home buyers through every step to settlement
- ✓ Clients return for multiple purchases and top-ups over many years
- ✓ Complex challenges resolved with advisers working in clients' best interests
location_on 274 Stuart Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin
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10
Rayen & Wood Financial Services
↓ 1★ 5.0 522 reviews Top5 Score 1945★ 516 4★ 4 1★ 2Rayen & Wood secured pre-approval for a first home buyer with only a 5% deposit when other advisers declined to explore the option, and helped another client discover they could use KiwiSaver alone as a deposit. Advisers Elina, Logan, and Abby are each known for staying in regular contact throughout the full process, including during quiet stretches when no immediate progress is happening.
Reviews most often describe: Low-deposit buyers and complex cases needing persistence
- ✓ Secured home loan approval with only a 5% deposit for buyers
- ✓ Advisers respond quickly to emails and keep clients regularly updated
- ✓ Loan consolidations and refinancing turned around within hours of contact
location_on 189 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
About this ranking
How are New Zealand's top Mortgage Brokers chosen? expand_more
We assess every Mortgage Brokers business in New Zealand against public ratings and review data using a consistent, published method. See how we rank for the full methodology. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-based and cannot be purchased. At the last update, scores in the top 5 ranged from 196 to 202 points.
How often are rankings updated? expand_more
Rankings are refreshed regularly. This list was last updated in 7 August 2026.
Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more
No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verified businesses may be able to update their listing details in future, but this will never affect ranking positions.
Why isn't my Mortgage Brokers business listed? expand_more
We pull from local search results for each category and city. If you're missing, the most common reasons are an incorrect Google Business category or too few recent reviews. At the last update, the lowest-ranked business in the top 10 had 522 reviews. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.