Can I get a home loan in NZ if I live in Australia?

When banks lend money to a borrower on a secured basis the bank will usually secure the debt by way of a mortgage over the real estate property. This means the bank would need to register a mortgage on the title deed. With that in mind, the bank needs to be able to take charge of the property. If you are living in Australia, and looking to buy a property in New Zealand, Australian banks will not be able to take control over the property on another side of the Tasmania Sea, and most likely would refer you to the local lenders in New Zealand. So the question is if you can get an investment loan as an overseas borrower. With the Australia - New Zealand relationship, it’s certainly easier for an Australian to apply for a home loan than from other non English speaking countries. There are two parts to the process. One is to open a bank account in New Zealand that is required for home loan repayment, and second is to apply for a home loan. Opening a bank account involves ID verification, and with the tightening of the verification from anti-money laundry, and cross border banking, unless you are flying over to New Zealand it would be easier to use banks that operate in both places, like Westpac and ANZ. The second part of the process is to apply for a home loan with your Australian income. The assessment process would be the same as for the local residents, except not all banks use 100% of your Australian income for assessment. They may lower your foreign income at 80% to allow for foreign currency fluctuations over time. If you plan to rent out the property after purchase, that rental income can certainly help to contribute to your income. At the end of the day, the credit policies may vary between banks, and it's certainly better to make enquiries or reach out to brokers specialised in New Zealand home loans.