What exactly must an applicant bring to a bank or lender in New Zealand to move a mortgage or personal finance file along quickly?
This short guide sets out the core information that banks want to see today and why each item matters in the process. It explains ID and age checks, address verification, and how three months of bank statements and recent payslips help establish income.
For self-employed or seasonal workers, it outlines when IRD returns, profit and loss statements or multi-year accounts are needed. It also covers the role of employer letters, registered valuations for property, and how assets and liabilities shape borrowing capacity.
Gathering accurate documentation early reduces delays with the bank or lender and keeps timelines on track. Readers will find where to look next in this article for mortgage‑specific and First Home requirements, plus tips to avoid common gaps.
Understand what lenders look for before you apply
Before an applicant applies, banks check a range of stability and income signals to judge affordability.
Identity and address history are first. The lender confirms age and recent residence to establish stability. Recent bank behaviour is next; three months of statements show inflows, overdrafts and regular payments.
Income is assessed with objective records. Salary earners provide payslips and IRD earnings summaries. Self‑employed or seasonal workers may show multi‑year accounts or tax returns to capture variability.
Credit is more than a score. Lenders review payment patterns, overdraft use and any defaults to predict future missed repayments. They also test fixed and variable expenses against serviceability models at different interest rates.
Assets and liabilities matter. Property, vehicles or business plant can strengthen an application, but provable income remains essential. Applicants should expect pre-approval requests for ID, recent bank records and income verification.
Clear, consistent information across files reduces questions and speedier decisions. Where employment or personal circumstances vary, an employer letter or contract helps explain gaps and supports the process.
Loan approval documents: the essential checklist to prepare today
Preparing a compact set of ID, income and asset proof saves time when starting an application with a bank.
Start with primary ID: a NZ driver licence or passport and a simple proof of age. Include current address and previous address if the applicant has moved within the last six months.
Gather employment files next. Add a copy of the current employment contract and, if recently changed jobs, previous employer details and tenure confirmation.
For income verification, include at least three months of bank statements and three recent payslips so salary credits and regular inflows are clear.
Self‑employed applicants should attach the latest income tax return and profit and loss statements to show yearly earnings.
List monthly expenses, liabilities and assets such as NZ property or business equipment with approximate values. Lenders will check credit directly, so consistent information across forms reduces follow‑ups.
Set aside time to scan or photograph originals, label each file with a name and date, and add any written confirmation of extra income streams.
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Proving your income in New Zealand: what to provide by employment type
Banks count income differently depending on whether an applicant is salaried, seasonal or self‑employed.
For salary and wage earners, provide three consecutive payslips, an IRD “Earnings last 12 months” statement and an original signed employer letter that confirms role, salary, start date and tenure.
If an employer letter is hard to obtain, a copy of a recent employment contract signed within the last six months often suffices for many lenders.
Seasonal workers should add three years of annual accounts or IRD tax returns so banks can see earnings over peak and quiet seasons.
Self‑employed applicants must supply full financial statements plus business and personal tax returns for the past two years. Include notes that explain one‑off expenses or major investments.
Where government support was received in the last 12 months—Working for Families, WINZ, ACC or IRD credits—attach written confirmation so those amounts are counted correctly.
Banks reconcile payslips, IRD statements and bank credits to check that stated income matches actual banking activity. For variable pay such as overtime, commissions or bonuses, longer histories are often averaged.
Label files clearly and include a short statement of current employment circumstances if there were recent role changes, probation or parental leave. Strong, well‑named proof of income reduces follow‑up and speeds the process.
Home and First Home loan documentation: deposits, contracts and property details
Banks and lenders expect a compact file that proves citizenship, steady income and where the deposit comes from. A signed authorisation form and valid ID, with a passport preferred, are first. Address verification must match the ID across all forms.
Mortgage assessors ask for three months of bank statements and three months of credit card statements to show spending and repayments. Salary earners add three recent payslips plus an employer letter or contract. Self‑employed applicants supply two years of completed financials and IRD summaries.
Acceptable deposit evidence includes bank statements, KiwiSaver withdrawal confirmations, First Home Grant acknowledgements or a gifting letter. A Sale and Purchase Agreement can follow later in the process while conditional pre-approval progresses.
Registered valuations are ordered by the bank via CoreLogic or Valocity. The report should not list major maintenance issues, as these can affect lending ratios and future repayments. Keep identity and address details identical across forms to avoid processing delays.
Bring it all together and apply with confidence today
A tidy, well‑labelled file helps an assessor move a home application through quickly.
Start with ID, three months of bank statements and recent payslips. Add deposit proof such as KiwiSaver or a gifting letter, and keep copies of any contract or valuation when they arrive.
Double‑check names, addresses, dates and dollar amounts so nothing conflicts and avoids extra questions from the lender. For business owners, include two years of tax returns and a clear note on any one‑off items.
Keep statements current if time passes, map assets and liabilities, and name files consistently. Use this short readiness check to submit with confidence for a mortgage or home loan in New Zealand.
