How much a NZ bank will lend you depends on your income, existing debts, living expenses, and the Reserve Bank’s DTI limit of 6× gross income for owner-occupiers. Use this section to see realistic borrowing capacity at your income level — before you speak to a bank.
How Borrowing Capacity Works in NZ
Banks in New Zealand assess your maximum loan using two main tests:
- DTI cap: your total debt cannot exceed 6× your gross annual income (RBNZ rule, 2024)
- Serviceability test: banks stress-test your repayments at approximately 2–3% above the current rate
The lower of these two limits is your effective ceiling.
Borrowing by Single Income
- How Much Can I Borrow on $50k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $50,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $60k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $60,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $70k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $70,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $80k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $80,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $90k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $90,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $100k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $100,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $120k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $120,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $150k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $150,000 salary
- How Much Can I Borrow on $200k NZ? — borrowing capacity on a $200,000 salary
Borrowing on a Joint Income
- How Much Can We Borrow on a Joint Income of $80k NZ? — combined household borrowing on $80,000
- How Much Can We Borrow on a Joint Income of $100k NZ? — combined household borrowing on $100,000
- How Much Can We Borrow on a Joint Income of $120k NZ? — combined household borrowing on $120,000
- How Much Can We Borrow on a Joint Income of $150k NZ? — combined household borrowing on $150,000
Quick Reference (DTI 6×, no existing debt)
| Gross income | Max mortgage | Max property (20% dep) |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $300,000 | ~$375,000 |
| $60,000 | $360,000 | ~$450,000 |
| $70,000 | $420,000 | ~$525,000 |
| $80,000 | $480,000 | ~$600,000 |
| $100,000 | $600,000 | ~$750,000 |
| $120,000 | $720,000 | ~$900,000 |
| $150,000 | $900,000 | ~$1,125,000 |
| $200,000 | $1,200,000 | ~$1,500,000 |
Also in Mortgages
- How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage NZ? — Full Guide — how banks calculate your maximum loan
- DTI Restrictions NZ — the 6× income cap explained
- Borrowing Calculator NZ — estimate your capacity online
- Income Needed to Afford a Home NZ — reverse lookup by property price