Types of mortgages

There are lots of different types of mortgages with varying interest rates, structures and fees. Getting the right structure at the best rate can save you a lot of money in the long run – so it’s important to understand what will be best for you. Of course we’ll talk you through this, but the more you understand, the better off you are.
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Mortgage interest rates

Fixed interest

A fixed rate means the interest you pay is fixed at a particular % for a specified time – between 6 months and 5 years. At the end of that time, you can choose to refix or go onto a floating rate.
You know how much you’ll pay every month for the term.

Rates are competitive between lenders.

Rates are often lower than the floating rate.
There is always the risk that rates will drop lower than the rate you’re fixed at.

If you want to make extra payments you may be charged a fee.

You may be charged a ‘break fee’ (which can be thousands of dollars) if you break your loan – for example if you decide to sell your property.

Floating rate

A floating rate changes as interest rates change – based on the Official Cash Rate (OCR). Repayments may go up or down.
Floating rate loans are more flexible generally allowing you to make extra repayments or changing the loan term.
Floating rates are generally higher than fixed rates.

If rates go up, you may find repayments become unaffordable.

A combination of fixed and floating

You can split a loan between fixed and floating. This gives you some certainty with the fixed part as well as the flexibility to make extra repayments on the floating part.

You can also choose to split your fixed rate into different length terms. This means you don’t have a sudden increase for all of your repayments if the rates have increased since you fixed.
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Meet our mortgage experts

Our mortgage team of Stuart Pope, Chevaun Marshall, Melanie Riley and Rebecca Gray bring years of professional experience. Stuart has 20 years experience as a mortgage broker based in Nelson, Chevaun is a qualified accountant and Melanie has over 10 years in financial services. They also have personal and professional experience building up property investment portfolios including residential and commercial properties.
Book a FREE consultation with one of our experts
Stuart Pope
Mortgage Adviser
mortgages@castletrust.co.nz

Stuart is a senior Mortgage Adviser with over 25 years in the lending industry. Known for his strategic loan structuring and clear communication, he supports clients from first-home buyers to investors. A member of Financial Advice NZ, Stuart is dedicated to smart, client-focused lending solutions.

More about Stuart
Stuart Pope, mortgage advisor
Stuart Pope
Mortgage Adviser

Stuart is a highly experienced mortgage adviser with over 25 years in the lending industry. He’s worked with clients ranging from first-home buyers to seasoned investors and is known for his positive approach and expert knowledge.

After running a successful mortgage brokerage, Stuart became a tutor for the NZQA Certificate in Money Management before returning to mortgage advice.

He now helps clients navigate the lending process with clarity and confidence, from initial application through to long-term planning. His focus is on building the right loan structure and achieving the best outcomes, especially in complex or multi-property scenarios.

Stuart’s deep understanding of the lending landscape means he can find smart, personalised solutions to suit a variety of financial goals.
He is a member of Financial Advice New Zealand and remains committed to staying current with industry trends and best practices.

Book with Stuart
Chevaun Marshall
Mortgage Adviser. BBus, CPA
mortgages@castletrust.co.nz

Chevaun is a Mortgage Adviser and Chartered Accountant (CPA), with a Bachelor of Business in Accounting. She combines lending expertise with financial insight to help clients, from first-home buyers to investors, make confident, well-informed decisions that support long-term financial goals.

More about Chevaun
Chevaun Marshall, mortgage advisor
Chevaun Marshall
Mortgage Adviser. BBus, CPA

Chevaun is a qualified Mortgage Adviser and Chartered Accountant (CPA) with a background in property, lending, and accounting. She holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting and previously worked for a large property investment firm in Brisbane.

Her dual expertise in finance and accounting gives her a broad perspective on how lending decisions impact overall financial strategy.
Chevaun works with a wide range of clients, from first-home buyers to experienced investors, offering clear advice, tailored loan structures, and a strong attention to detail.

She is passionate about helping clients make confident, informed decisions that align with their long-term goals.

Based in Nelson, Chevaun balances her mortgage work with running her own business and raising a busy family with two young children.

Her practical, relatable approach makes her a trusted partner for clients navigating today’s property and lending landscape.

Book with Chevaun
Melanie Riley
Mortgage Adviser
mortgages@castletrust.co.nz

Mel is a Mortgage Adviser holding her New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services and has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry. With a background in business ownership, she helps clients confidently navigate home lending –  from first homes to refinancing.

More about Melanie
Melanie Riley
Melanie Riley
Mortgage Adviser

Mel has been part of the Castle Trust team since 2014 and holds her New Zealand Level 5 Certificate in Financial Services. She began her journey with Castle Trust in a client support role, gaining hands-on experience in insurance, investments and mortgages while completing her financial adviser qualifications.

Before moving into financial services, Mel owned and operated a successful retail business in Motueka. This experience gives her a practical understanding of the financial challenges individuals and families face, particularly around home lending and budgeting.

Over the past decade, Mel has supported hundreds of Castle Trust clients through key life stages. As a mortgage broker, she brings deep technical knowledge and a strong client-first approach to every interaction.

Mel helps clients feel confident and informed as they navigate the lending process, whether they’re buying their first home, refinancing, or planning their next move.

Book with Melanie

“They were really helpful when purchasing our first house. Then went out of their way to make sure we had the best insurance policies, kiwisaver provider and made us a financial plan. It was super easy and I'd recommend them to anyone.” 

KQ, Manager, Nelson

Mortgage loan structures

Table loan

Table loans are the most common type of home loan. The maximum term is generally 30 years. You can choose to have the interest rate fixed or floating or a combination.
You have regular payments and a set term when the loan will be paid off.
If you have irregular income, fixed regular payments can be difficult.

Revolving credit

Revolving credit loans work like big overdrafts – you can make payments or withdrawals up to the limit of the loan when it suits. As interest is calculated daily, by keeping the loan as low as possible, you reduce the total interest you’ll pay.
By being organised you can pay your loan off faster.

For people with irregular income, a revolving credit loan means they can make repayments when they have money available.
You need to be disciplined – if you don’t make repayments and continue to spend, you can end up in debt longer.

Offset loan

Normally you pay interest on the full amount of your loan. With an offset loan, any savings accounts and everyday accounts that you link to your loan reduces the amount you pay interest on. For example if you have a $300,000 loan and $25,000 in a savings account, you would only pay interest on $275,000.

Like a revolving credit lona, interest is calculated daily, so the more money you leave in your account, the less interest you will pay.

You can also link the accounts of other family members, for example parents, reducing your repayments even more.
You pay less interest and pay off your loan faster. Normally there is no fixed term.
Any linked savings account don’t earn any interest.

Reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage enables individuals aged 60 and over to tap into their home's equity, providing additional funds to enjoy their retirement whether that's for travel, pay medical expenses, home renovations or just make everyday living more comfortable.

Crucially, a reverse mortgage allows you to retain ownership of your home
100% ownership: You remain the registered owner of the property, allowing you to continue living in your home and enjoying your community's benefits for as long as you wish.

No regular payments required: There are no regular loan repayments necessary. Interest is calculated on the outstanding balance and added to your loan.

No negative equity guarantee: The repayment amount for your loan will never exceed the net sale proceeds of your property.
Lenders may not offer reverse mortgages on some types of properties (e.g. farms, retirement properties).

A reverse mortgage allows you to stay in your home for as long as you wish, but it requires you to reside in the home or sell it. You cannot rent out your home and travel, or move into care, without selling the property and repaying the loan.


Since you aren't making regular repayments on a reverse mortgage, the effect of compounding interest can significantly increase your loan balance. This can erode the remaining equity in your home. Depending on the housing market at the time of sale, this could result in a substantial financial loss.

Reducing loan

Uncommon in New Zealand, reducing loans mean payments start high but reduce over time.
Early payments include a higher repayment of principal and total interest paid is less overall.
Higher initial payments make this lona more expensive in the short to medium term. It might be more affordable to make the same repayments under a table loan structure.
Castle Trust Team

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