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Find a Mortgage Broker in Nelson

Get the money you need to buy your dream home in Nelson with help from a local mortgage broker.
Updated 17 June 2026
Summary
  • Mortgage brokers hunt the home loan market to find you a good deal, as well as save a lot of time on form-filling. They can advise you on everything you need to know about taking out a mortgage and the house-buying process, as well as KiwiSaver withdrawals and grants if you qualify.
  • A Bank may have told you NO, but a mortgage broker has the contacts to very often turn that into a YES. 
  • Mortgage brokers know the key details about each lenders' criteria, and can recommend the right lenders for your situation.
  • The most important thing is to find a mortgage broker you're comfortable with. Hundreds are working all over Nelson, and we've created this guide to help you navigate arranging a home loan.
  • Remember: Real estate agents you meet at open homes will probably recommend brokers. Many have existing relationships and get a commission for any business you give to their recommended mortgage broker. You don't need to engage them - you have full control of who you choose.

Our Nelson Mortgage Broker guide covers:​​​ ​
​Important: Are you ready for a mortgage?
Our friends at LifeDirect Mortgages have a useful Mortgage Potential Calculator that gives you a clear snapshot of your borrowing ability in just a few clicks. Whether you're looking for a first home, refinance, moving home or an investment property mortgage, simply enter a few details, and you'll see:
  • Your estimated borrowing amount
  • Monthly, fortnightly, and weekly repayments
  • Your deposit and income breakdown
  • Tips to improve your mortgage readiness

It's easy to use, with clear visuals to help you understand your position. You do not need to enter any personal information.​​

Know This First: The Process of Working with a Mortgage Broker

  1. ​Once you've decided to contact a mortgage broker, you will have an initial assessment. This is a meeting where you share details about your financial position and what you want to achieve.
  2. After that, the mortgage broker will provide a comparison of the best-suited home loans you qualify for - this often means they will create a shortlist of the home loans most relevant to you.
  3. Once you've considered the home loans, you will decide on one and make an application. The mortgage broker does this on your behalf; you'll need to provide the information they ask.
  4. Once the application is submitted, the lender (i.e. bank) will come back with their decision - it will, in most cases, be an approval or decline. 

Useful Tools to Help Plan a Mortgage

How Much Does a Mortgage Broker Cost?​

  • There are no upfront costs or service fees. Mortgage brokers make their money from commissions paid to them by the banks.
  • You won't necessarily pay more for your mortgage either. Mortgage brokers work the same as travel agents who earn commissions from airlines and hotels etc.
  • It is up to you to decide which bank and mortgage deal you want - the mortgage broker will be paid by the lender you pick.
  • Industry insiders suggest this can be as high as 1% of your loan amount; your broker could earn $5,000 from a $500,000 mortgage. But the law states that mortgage brokers are not required to disclose commission payments.

What should I ask a mortgage broker to make sure I get the best deal and service?

As individual mortgage broker expertise and access to deals will vary around Nelson, you can get comfortable by asking two essential questions: 
  1. How many lenders do you work with? The more lenders (i.e. banks) the broker has a relationship with, the higher the chances you'll get the best deal. A good answer is at least five banks, but the more they cover, the better for you. 
  2. What are your fees and commissions? You can ask that, even if they are not legally obliged to tell you. If they do, it will probably create trust and help you understand a little bit more about how mortgage brokerage works.

Nelson Mortgage Brokers - 5 Things to Know Upfront

  1. Mortgage brokers may not work with every bank, so it's important to ask upfront what lenders won't be included so it's clear what you are comparing.
  2. Cross-selling is being reported; this involves you being recommended insurance policies by a mortgage broker or one of their associates. As insurance is very lucrative; there may be a lot of pressure to buy. You are under no obligation to and our guides to life insurance, contents insurance, home insurance and income protection insurance outline what you need to know. 
  3. You may also be recommended conveyancing services by a related law firm. You are under no obligation to hire the lawyers suggested by your mortgage broker.
  4. If a real estate agent is insisting you use their recommended mortgage broker, you don't have to. You don't even need to use a mortgage broker at all.
  5. Many banks promote mortgage deals with free holidays, cashback and various other perks if you go with them direct. If you go with a mortgage broker, you won't receive these perks.
​

Trusted Nelson Mortgage Brokers Available Right Now

​Our list below covers Nelson and the surrounding areas. We have selected these based on their history of longstanding service within Nelson, their location, and data extracted from reviews on Google Business, Facebook, TradeMe Services, mortgage forums and other sources. We've also included LifeDirect Mortgages, our paid partner - see the disclosure note below.

Beyond standard mortgage clients, the brokers below all have experience with non-standard and 'complicated' requests. This can include single-income and self-employed situations.

Know this: You don't need to go with the first broker you talk to. More importantly, you're in no way obliged to use the mortgage broker a real estate agent recommends, even if you buy your home through them.

Disclosure: LifeDirect is a paid MoneyHub partner
  • LifeDirect Mortgages pays to partner with us, including for exposure on co-branded guides that their team contributes expertise to and helps us edit. The other brokers below don't pay to be listed - they're chosen on service and public reviews.
  • We rate LifeDirect Mortgage' work (consistently top-rated Google reviews, nationwide service by phone and video, and a focus on getting loans approved), but you're never obliged to use any broker we list. This guide is designed to help you approach any mortgage broker with confidence.​ 

​Dawn Whiteside - LifeDirect

LifeDirect's Dawn Whiteside brings over a decade in finance, including six years with a main bank, and specialises in helping home buyers navigate the maze of lending and bank jargon. She works with Nelson clients via Zoom, phone or in person, keeping stress to a minimum every step of the way.

​What customers like:
  • Seamless experience, from start to finish, where nothing is a problem
  • Wonderful negotiations with lenders which saves money from day one
  • Can-do attitude that is backed up by better-than-imagined results

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Mortgage Restructuring Loans
  • Property Investment Loans
​
Contact details

Vanessa McGovern - The Mortgage Supply Co

Vanessa McGovern is a Nelson-based adviser with The Mortgage Supply Co, a nationwide brokerage, and one of the region's most reviewed brokers. She is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity and founded the Nelson Property Collective, bringing a holistic approach that ties mortgages into clients' wider financial goals.

What customers like:
  • Makes a stressful, overwhelming process incredibly simple and easy to understand
  • Honest advice that tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear
  • Negotiates hard, including securing thousands in additional cashback on loans
  • Coordinates KiwiSaver and insurance alongside the mortgage

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Refinancing
  • Investment Property Loans
  • New Build Lending

Contact details

Mike Pero Mortgages - Nelson & Tasman

Scott Jackson has run the Mike Pero Mortgages Nelson & Tasman franchise since 2007, following 15 years in finance, and the office has been recognised as the top Mike Pero franchise in New Zealand. Scott was named a Top Mortgage Adviser in the 2021 NZ Adviser awards, and his wife Devina handles personal risk insurance, making it a one-stop local team.

What customers like:
  • Takes the time to explain things clearly and makes the process easy, including for first investment properties
  • Handles tricky situations such as separations and delayed new builds with patience and integrity
  • Consistently secures better deals than clients could get from their own bank
  • Strong relationships with banks, agents and solicitors keep everything running on time

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Investment Property Loans
  • Business and Personal Finance
  • Refinancing and Insurance

Contact details

Mortgage Money (Nelson Marlborough Mortgage Services)

Mortgage Money is a local independent mortgage and insurance brokerage serving the Top of the South, with four offices across Nelson, Stoke, Richmond and Motueka and a close alignment with Summit Real Estate. Advisers including Calum McNeil and Adele Graham cover home loans, insurance and KiwiSaver.

​What customers like:
  • Smooth home loan process with everything explained clearly and someone always available
  • Thinks outside the box and genuinely goes in to bat with the banks
  • Secured pre-approval for buyers with Australian income after another broker said it was impossible
  • The team covers for each other, so applications never stall

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Refinancing and Restructuring
  • Investment Property Loans
  • Insurance and KiwiSaver Advice

Contact details
  • Google Rating: 5/5
  • Address: 60 Rutherford Street, Nelson 7010 (also Stoke, Richmond and Motueka)
  • Website: Mortgage Money
  • Contact number: 03 546 9270​

Castle Trust Financial Planning

​Castle Trust is a long-established Nelson Tasman financial planning firm, operating in Motueka since 2009 with a second office in Richmond next to the library, and over 100 years of combined team experience. The mortgage team is led by Stuart Pope, who has nearly two decades of broking experience from first homes through to complex commercial and multi-property lending.

What customers like:
  • Tailored advice with everything explained clearly, even on very tight deadlines
  • Rescued a home purchase in a matter of days after another broker failed to secure the loan
  • Reviews loan structure and rates to help clients pay mortgages off faster
  • First-class advice across mortgages, insurance, savings and investments under one roof

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Refinancing and Restructuring
  • Commercial and Investment Property Lending
  • Insurance, KiwiSaver, Savings and Investment Advice

Contact details

Financing Futures

​Financing Futures is a Richmond-based brokerage whose principal, Tony, has been arranging mortgages and finance since 1996, with the business operating in Nelson since 2011. The team, including adviser Connor Ward, covers home, business, vehicle and equipment finance plus risk insurance, serving clients across New Zealand and Australia.

What customers like:
  • Smooth, stress-free and well-explained process from start to finish
  • Creative, outside-the-box thinking that gets approvals when banks have said no
  • Makes time at short notice, including after-hours appointments
  • Helpful no matter how tricky the situation, finding a way to make things work

Services include but not limited to:
  • First Home Buyer Loans
  • Refinancing
  • Business and Commercial Lending
  • Vehicle and Equipment Finance, Insurance

​Contact details
​

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a mortgage broker in Nelson?

Start by asking how many lenders they work with. A mortgage broker who covers four or more banks gives you a meaningfully better chance of finding the right deal compared to one who only works with two or three. Beyond that, look for someone who listens - a good broker will want to understand your full financial picture, not just your deposit size.

Check their Google reviews, but pay attention to the specifics - look for reviewers mentioning clear communication, fast turnaround, and honest advice. You can also ask the broker directly about their experience with situations like yours, whether that's a first home purchase, self-employment income or refinancing.

Most importantly, you don't have to commit to the first broker you speak with - a short phone call will usually tell you whether they're the right fit. If a real estate agent recommends a specific broker, you're always free to choose your own.

Can a mortgage broker get me a better rate than going directly to a bank?

Sometimes, but not always. Mortgage brokers can access deals across multiple lenders, which means they can compare rates and structures you might not find by walking into a single bank. They also know which banks are actively competing for new business at any given time, which can work in your favour to get the best interest rate.

However, banks occasionally offer exclusive deals - discounted rates or account-free fee structures - to customers who come to them directly. Such offers may not be available via brokers. A good broker will tell you upfront if going direct to a specific bank would be better for your situation.

Where brokers consistently add value is around their advice; they are required to be impartial, provide options and recommendations based on your own unique financial situation. Given that they also deal with almost every lender, they have a broader knowledge of which bank works well for you and your situation. Some banks may be better for start-up companies or when you are buying with family or friends. A good mortgage broker removes the friction from getting the right outcome for you.

Do mortgage brokers charge fees?

In most cases, no. Mortgage brokers are paid commissions by the lender (i.e. bank) you end up choosing, so their service is free to you. Industry estimates suggest brokers earn up to 0.90% of the loan amount - meaning a $600,000 mortgage could generate a $5,400 commission for the broker.

There are some situations where a broker may charge a fee - for example, if your application is particularly complex, or if you're using a non-bank or specialist lender. A reputable broker will disclose any fees before you commit to working with them.

Can a mortgage broker help if a bank has declined me?

Yes - this is one of the strongest reasons to use a mortgage broker. A bank decline doesn't necessarily mean you can't get a mortgage. It often means that a specific bank's lending criteria didn't fit your situation at the time.

Mortgage brokers understand each lender's specific policies and risk appetite. Where one bank sees a problem, another may see an acceptable application. This is especially true for self-employed applicants, those with irregular income, buyers with smaller deposits, or people with minor credit history issues.

A good broker will also explain why you were declined and what, if anything, you can do to strengthen a future application. This might mean waiting a few months, restructuring your finances, or simply applying to a lender whose criteria are a better match. If no lender is currently a fit, an honest broker will tell you that rather than wasting your time.

What documents do I need to bring to a mortgage broker?

Having your documents ready from the start will significantly speed up the process. Most brokers will need:
  • Proof of identity: A current passport or New Zealand driver's licence.
  • Proof of income: Your last three payslips if you're an employee, or two years of financial statements and tax returns if you're self-employed.
  • Bank statements: The last three months of statements for all your accounts, including savings, everyday, and any existing loan accounts.
  • KiwiSaver withdrawal amount: Your latest balance, particularly if you're planning to use KiwiSaver funds for your deposit or if you're a first-home buyer.
  • Details of existing debts: This includes credit cards (even if the balance is zero - the available limit matters), personal loans, student loans, hire purchase, and buy now pay later accounts.
  • Evidence of your deposit: Bank statements or a gifting certificate if part of your deposit is a gift from family.

If you're purchasing a specific property, bring the listing details and any sale-and-purchase documentation. Self-employed applicants may also need a letter from their accountant confirming income. Your broker will tell you if anything else is needed based on your situation.

Can a mortgage broker help if I'm self-employed?

Yes - and for self-employed borrowers, a mortgage broker is arguably more valuable than for anyone else. Banks assess self-employed income differently from PAYE earnings, and the calculations can be surprising.

You might have made $150,000 last year, but after the bank applies its add-back formula and accounts for business loan repayments, your assessed income could come back at $70,000.

A mortgage broker who regularly handles self-employed applications knows which banks are flexible on income calculations, which will accept one year of financials instead of two, and how to present your business story in a way that gives lenders confidence. Our guide to self-employed mortgage applications explains the full process.

I'm self-employed - do I need an accountant before talking to a mortgage broker?

Not always, but it can help - banks typically want two years of accountant-prepared financial statements, and applications without them are significantly weaker. If you've been filing IR3 returns without an accountant, a mortgage broker can tell you whether that's enough for your situation or whether you need basic accounts prepared first. Many accountants offer mortgage-ready packages for $500–$1,500.

Getting this sorted before you apply can be the difference between approval and decline, and it often unlocks lower interest rates that more than cover the accounting cost. Start by talking to a broker who will tell you exactly what you need.

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