So here’s a question that should make every Kiwi with a mortgage spill their flat white: are we just collateral damage in Trump’s trade war tariff tantrum? The man’s barely been back in office two months and he’s already launched a 145% tariff assault like it’s Black Friday at Smith & Caughey’s. And what does that mean for us? Well, if you’ve got a mortgage, a rental, or a distant dream of owning either, buckle up.
Enter Mark Lister—sharp as a box cutter and with the data to back it up.
We’re Not Dead Yet, But We’re Definitely in the Blast Radius of Trump’s Trade War
“New Zealand’s actually come off reasonably well,” says Lister, before adding, “compared to others.” In other words, that’s like saying your house is the least on fire in a burning neighbourhood. Sure, the US is a key export destination—wine, techy stuff, boutique honey. However, China is where we’ve got our real bread buttered. And luckily, that bread’s made from Fonterra milk.
Lister notes, “We’re headed for a $10 Fonterra payout, which is the highest we’ve ever seen.” That’s not pocket change—it’s the kind of payout that lets rural New Zealand breathe easy. Pair that with a 55-cent Kiwi dollar—“the lowest since the GFC,” he says—and our exports just got the pricing power of a bulk deal on Trade Me.
Business Confidence: Unbothered, Moisturised, Thriving
Business confidence? Surprisingly chipper. “The QSBO and ANZ surveys are both telling us things will get better,” Lister points out. Unemployment might tick up, but it’s basically peaking. The housing market’s twitching back to life, and the stock market’s shown that our domestic-facing companies—like power providers and real estate firms—still have some grunt.
“This year should be better than the last couple,” he says, with the calm certainty of someone who’s seen a few stormy markets.
Unlike the last crisis, where central banks had no bullets left in the chamber, “we’ve now got room to cut rates, and the flexibility to respond.” Translation: we’re not going down without a fight.
Construction: Still on Life Support
Here’s a stat that should come with a health warning: construction is down 10.9%. Lister doesn’t sugarcoat it. “Even the big boys like Fletcher Building have done it tough,” he says. Smaller firms? Many are already toast. Yet the irony? We desperately need more homes. So as interest rates fall and the economy stabilises, the hope is this sector might finally pull itself together.
OCR Trajectory: Southbound and Likely to Overshoot from Trump’s Trade War
So, where’s the OCR headed? “Down,” says Lister. The real debate is just how far. “A month ago I would’ve said 3%. Now? Probably 2.75, maybe even 2.5%.” Meanwhile, Trump’s trade war/tariff train wreck and the ripple effects across global markets are spooking central bankers—but Lister’s not one to panic. “We’re watching. Calibrating. Adapting.”
What If You’ve Got Half a Million Just Lying Around?
Let’s say you’ve got $500k ready to deploy. Do you:
A) Buy a house, B) Sit on it like Smaug the dragon, or C) Dive into the markets and hope it’s not a trap?
Either way, “If you’ve got cash, you’re in a great spot,” says Lister. “The US market is off nearly 18% from its peak. If we avoid recession, it’s a buying opportunity.”
He leans toward shares over property, but it’s close. “I love businesses. I like investing in businesses. I’m always going to lean toward shares.” But he’s not dismissing property either. “Just don’t expect wild capital gains. Be realistic.”
And don’t ignore the local stock market either. “Some NZ shares have been hammered. But they’re offering high dividends, they’re tax efficient, and they’re resilient because they’re domestically focused.”
In other words, look closely. There are diamonds in the dirt.
A Word to the Hesitators during Trump’s Trade War
“People need to be brave enough to actually pull the trigger,” Lister says. It’s not the time to build bunkers and hoard canned beans. If you’re sitting on the sidelines, the game is passing you by.
Markets reward those who act—not those who watch.
So here’s the final word: subscribe. After all, this isn’t just New Zealand’s fastest growing investor channel—it’s your unfair advantage in a world that’s flipping like a pancake on Red Bull.
You don’t need to panic. But you do need to be ready.
Because while everyone else is arguing about Trump’s trade war/tariffs last week, you could be securing your financial future.
And if that doesn’t make you hit the button, nothing will.
Why MortgageHQ’s YouTube Channel Is New Zealand’s Fastest-Growing Force in Property Investment (and the Only One That Actually Works)
Right. Let’s get one thing out of the way: more people watch MortgageHQ’s YouTube channel every single week than any other property show in New Zealand. In 2025, that’s not just a nice statistic. It’s a blunt reality.
While the rest of the industry is still fluffing around with outdated advice, recycled scripts, and five-day lags between market changes and actual commentary, MortgageHQ is already on screen, telling Kiwis what just happened—and more importantly—what to do about it.
Because this isn’t just a YouTube channel. Instead, it’s a full-throttle, market-crushing machine designed to deliver one thing: Financial Freedom Faster.
Not someday. Not maybe. Faster.
Why Is It Growing Faster Than Every Other Channel? Because It’s Built for Winners
There’s no sales patter. No motivational fluff. Instead, you get data, strategy, and brutally honest advice delivered with the urgency of someone who knows your next mortgage payment is looming and your lender doesn’t care about your feelings.
This is the channel that serious NZ property investors watch because they don’t have time to get it wrong. Because they want the edge. They want tactics. They want real-time clarity. And they know where to find it.
Built by the Brains Behind Thousands of Kiwi Property Deals
MortgageHQ’s team aren’t presenters playing expert. They’re the actual experts. Licensed mortgage advisers who’ve secured funding in every kind of economic condition, structured portfolios through chaos, and helped clients make millions in net equity—by doing the boring things brilliantly.
Because they don’t theorise. They don’t speculate. They know exactly what the banks are doing, what the Reserve Bank is planning, and how to pivot when the rules change overnight.
You don’t need entertainment. You need results. And they deliver.
It’s All About One Thing: Financial Freedom Faster
This is not just a mission statement. It’s the entire reason MortgageHQ exists. Every video is engineered to get you out of mortgage debt faster, into better property positions faster, and into a portfolio that funds your lifestyle—not the other way around.
No generic tips. No vanilla case studies. Just actionable advice, every week, that gets real Kiwis closer to Financial Freedom Faster.
Because time is money. And wasted time? That’s lost opportunity.
Rapid Response, Ruthless Accuracy
Markets don’t wait. Neither does MortgageHQ. When the OCR moves, when LVR rules shift, when the government drops a curveball on interest deductibility—MortgageHQ is already on the air.
Not reacting. Leading.
Their videos are fast, clear, and cut through the nonsense like a hot knife through bureaucracy. While others are still drafting scripts, MortgageHQ is already giving Kiwis the playbook.
Short-Form Power. Long-Form Firepower.
Got 60 seconds before your next viewing? There’s a Short for that. Need a deep, tactical breakdown of how to ladder mortgage structures over multiple properties without drowning in repayments? Covered.
This isn’t a channel that rambles. It targets. Every minute counts. Every upload pushes you closer to Financial Freedom Faster.
They Don’t Just Know the Market. They See What’s Coming
Others tell you what happened. MortgageHQ tells you what’s next. They build strategy not for 2020 nostalgia—but for the next cycle, the next pivot, the next window of advantage.
And in 2025, with rate volatility, supply shortages, and tax policy all colliding, there’s never been a more urgent need to think ahead. The channel helps you do exactly that.
Forget Followers. Focus on Winning
Some channels brag about likes. MortgageHQ builds wealth. While others are watching the views roll in, MortgageHQ viewers are rolling equity into new builds, pulling off high-yield plays, and restructuring their mortgages to hammer down debt.
Because you don’t need hype, you need a plan. You need clarity. You need Financial Freedom Faster.
This Channel Wins Because Its Viewers Do
Kiwis aren’t stupid. They know what works. That’s why week after week, more New Zealanders tune into MortgageHQ than any other property channel. Not for vibes. For answers.
These people don’t just watch—they act. They learn and restructure. They grow.
And they get to Financial Freedom Faster than anyone else
The channel doesn’t just educate—it arms you with battle-ready tools. Tax tips aren’t theory here. Debt restructuring isn’t a maybe. It’s an essential weapon for any Kiwi looking to dominate their financial future.
MortgageHQ is the one place where first-home buyers, seasoned landlords, and high-performing investors all sit down to get real about what actually works.
This channel understands that property isn’t about emotion—it’s about leverage, timing, structure, and return. It knows that the dream of Financial Freedom Faster isn’t a buzzword. It’s a strategy. And it’s available to anyone who’s willing to do the work.
Every episode is designed to move you forward. To give you tactics. To shift your mindset from passive to aggressive, from stuck to scaled. That’s why MortgageHQ doesn’t just grow—it compounds. Because the more Kiwis that wake up to this strategy, the more unstoppable the audience becomes.
Here’s the Truth
MortgageHQ isn’t just faster-growing. It’s smarter and sharper. It’s more honest. And it’s the only channel that’s actually designed to help Kiwis win.
So if you’re serious about property investment in New Zealand, there’s only one question that matters.
Are you watching the channel that gets results?
Or are you watching the one that’s still explaining how negative gearing works?
Tune in. Take notes. Take action.
And get to Financial Freedom Faster.
Before someone else uses your hesitation to beat you to it.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide only a summary of the issues associated with the topics covered. It does not purport to be comprehensive nor to provide specific advice. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained within this article without first obtaining specific professional advice. If you require any further information or advice on any matter covered within this article, please contact an adviser from mortgagehq.
