Another OCR drop? Three smart ways to restructure your mortgage now.
Lisa and Tom had $180k of usable equity locked up in their Tauranga home and a bank that kept saying 'maybe next year'. Here's the structure MHQ used to get them across the line — interest-only, equity recycle, lender switch — and the four-year plan that followed.
Zhiyang Cheng,
Mortgage Adviser & Sales Manager
Advice for every stage, all our knowledge in one place.
Resources
Showing 1–18 of 74
NZ Property Investment Strategies for 2026
Zhiyang Cheng · 5 min. read time
5 Critical Mistakes Every First Time Property Investor in NZ Must Avoid
Zhiyang Cheng · 4 min. read time
Property Investing NZ: Is Now the Best Time to Buy?
Zhiyang Cheng · 4 min. read time
How To Stop Relying on Capital Gains: The New Rule for NZ Property Investment
Zhiyang Cheng · 4 min. read time
How to buy 25 Profitable NZ Properties in 3 years
Zhiyang Cheng · 4 min. read time
Revolving Credit NZ: How It Works and Whether It’s Right for You
Zhiyang Cheng · 3 min. read time
20 Case Studies of Mum and Dad Investors Buying Properties with 8%+ Gross Yield
Zhiyang Cheng · 1 min. read time
How often should I review my insurance?
Think of insurance as something that moves with your financial journey, not something you set once and forget. A review makes sense when you buy a home, take on more debt, change income, start a family, enter a relationship, separate, grow a business or build meaningful assets. Even without a major event, a regular check helps make sure you're neither underinsured nor paying to protect risks you can now carry yourself.
Can insurance become unnecessary as I build wealth?
Absolutely, and that's an important part of our philosophy. Insurance transfers financial risk that you aren't yet comfortable carrying yourself. As debt reduces and investments and liquid assets grow, you may be able to retain more of that risk yourself. That can mean reducing certain cover and redirecting premiums toward debt reduction or investment growth.
Can you compare different insurance companies for me?
Yes, where those providers sit within the specialist adviser's approved advice panel. The important comparison isn't simply premium versus premium. Policy definitions, exclusions, benefits, underwriting outcomes and how the cover fits your overall protection strategy all matter.
Should I get insurance while I'm young and healthy?
There can be advantages. Insurance is generally influenced by factors such as age, health, occupation, lifestyle and the amount of cover requested. Getting protection in place before your circumstances or health change can make future insurability less of a concern. But the right time and amount still depends on your individual needs.
Will my medical history stop me from getting insurance?
Not necessarily. Your health history may affect the terms offered, resulting in standard cover, an exclusion, an additional premium, modified terms or, in some cases, cover not being available. The adviser helps you navigate this process before deciding what's appropriate.
What is Income Protection and who needs it?
Income Protection can provide a regular payment if illness or injury prevents you from working and you meet the policy criteria. It's particularly relevant when your lifestyle, mortgage or family depends heavily on your ability to keep earning.
Isn't ACC enough in New Zealand?
ACC plays an important role, but it primarily covers injuries and accidents. It does not provide the same protection for illnesses, which are also a major reason someone may be unable to work. Personal insurance can help address the gaps that ACC does not cover.
What does Disability Insurance actually protect?
Disability-related cover is designed to protect you financially when illness or injury significantly affects your ability to work or live independently. Depending on the type of policy, it might provide a lump sum or ongoing income. The definitions matter, which is why comparing policies on price alone can be misleading.
What's the difference between Life Insurance and Health Insurance?
Life Insurance generally pays a lump sum if you die or, depending on the policy, are diagnosed as terminally ill. Health Insurance is designed to help fund eligible medical treatment and give you greater choice and access to private healthcare. They solve very different financial problems.
I already have insurance. Do I still need advice?
Possibly even more than someone starting from scratch. Existing policies can become disconnected from your life as mortgages reduce, salaries increase, families change and wealth grows. A review helps identify gaps, duplication and cover you may no longer need.
How much insurance do I actually need?
There isn't a magic number. We look at your debt, income, family responsibilities, existing assets, investments and future plans to work out what would create a genuine financial gap if something happened. The goal isn't maximum insurance. It's the right amount of protection.
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