Home Ownership

My Home Protection ProgrammePost Settlement

You have completed the purchase and settlement of your home. The focus now shifts from getting into home ownership to staying financially secure in home ownership.

My Home Protection is designed to help you manage the ongoing financial responsibilities that come with owning a home: keeping mortgage repayments on track, maintaining a sustainable household budget, preparing for unexpected costs, protecting the property, reviewing insurance and rates, and making informed decisions as your financial position changes.

My Home Protection Programme 0800-007-993

The Goal

Maintain a secure, affordable and sustainable home ownership position while strengthening the financial resilience of you and your whānau.

My Home Protection Programme

Programme Structure

Eight Modules to Home Ownership Security.

Each module builds financial resilience — from mortgage discipline through to your annual homeowner review.

Module 01

Mortgage Management & Repayment Discipline

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Module 02

Post-Settlement Household Budget

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Module 03

Rates, Insurance & Essential Home Costs

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Module 04

Emergency Fund & Financial Resilience

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Module 05

Home Maintenance & Property Protection

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Module 06

Mortgage Review & Interest Rate Planning

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Module 07

Debt, Savings & Financial Goals

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Module 08

Annual Homeowner Review & Action Plan

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My Home Protection Programme

Module 1

Mortgage Management & Repayment Discipline

Focus

Your mortgage is likely to be your largest ongoing financial commitment. Strong repayment systems help protect your home and reduce the risk of missed payments.

My Mortgage Position

Current mortgage balance and regular repayment amount
Repayment frequency, payment date and cycle
Interest rate/structure, fixed period end and next review date

My Repayment Confidence

Very confident, confident, some pressure or needs review now
Actions that will keep repayments stable and on time

Exercise: Mortgage Repayment Stress Test

Test current repayment, +10% and +20% scenarios
Identify my comfortable maximum repayment
Find room in the budget for a future increase

Outcomes

My mortgage position is clearly recorded

My repayment confidence level is identified

A stress test has confirmed my comfortable buffer

My Home Protection Programme

Module 2

Post-Settlement Household Budget

Focus

Your budget needs to reflect the true cost of owning a home. Mortgage repayments are only one part of the picture; rates, insurance, utilities, maintenance and household costs all need to be planned for.

My Post-Settlement Budget

Net income, mortgage, rates, insurance and utilities
Food, transport, debt and maintenance provision
Emergency savings and monthly surplus/deficit

Exercise: My Homeowner Money Jars

Set aside amounts each pay for mortgage, rates and insurance
Maintenance, emergency fund and savings jars
Decide automatic transfers to set up or change

Outcomes

Our budget reflects the true cost of home ownership

Money jars are set up for every essential cost

Automatic transfers are agreed and actioned

My Home Protection Programme

Module 3

Rates, Insurance & Essential Home Costs

Focus

Some home ownership costs occur monthly, while others arrive quarterly or annually. Setting aside money regularly can prevent large bills from disrupting your mortgage or household budget.

Protection Check

House and contents insurance remain current
Know the excess and renewal dates for our policies
Rates payment method is set up

Exercise: Annual Bills Calendar

Map council rates, insurance and utility due months
Record expected amount and monthly saving needed
Identify the bill most likely to create pressure

Outcomes

Rates, insurance and essential costs are planned for

An annual bills calendar is in place

Irregular bills no longer create financial surprise

My Home Protection Programme

Module 4

Emergency Fund & Financial Resilience

Focus

Unexpected repairs, income disruption and urgent household costs can place pressure on mortgage repayments. A dedicated emergency reserve provides a financial buffer.

My Emergency Fund

Current savings, target fund and gap to target
Regular contribution, frequency and completion date
What the fund needs to cover for our whānau

Exercise: Emergency Fund Scenario Plan

Urgent repairs, income reduction and insurance excess
Estimated cost, first action and fund coverage
Set a target that would feel financially secure

Outcomes

An emergency fund target and contribution plan is set

Realistic scenarios have been planned for

Financial resilience is strengthened

My Home Protection Programme

Module 5

Home Maintenance & Property Protection

Focus

Regular maintenance protects the condition, liveability and long-term value of your home. Planning for maintenance is also part of good financial management.

My Home Maintenance Fund

Annual maintenance budget and monthly amount to save
Current maintenance reserve and gap to target
Maintenance record of work completed and next actions

Exercise: 12-Month Maintenance Calendar

Spread priorities and costs across each quarter
Identify the task that best protects the home's value

Outcomes

The four highest-priority maintenance jobs are identified

A 12-month maintenance calendar is in place

The home's condition and value are protected

My Home Protection Programme

Module 6

Mortgage Review & Interest Rate Planning

Focus

Mortgage settings should be reviewed as interest rates, income and household circumstances change. Reviewing does not always mean changing your loan; it means understanding your options before decisions are required.

Responding Early to Financial Pressure

Recognise early warning signs before payments are missed
Build a response plan for income or cost changes
Know who to contact early if pressure builds

Exercise: Fixed-Rate Expiry Preparation

Confirm expiry date and current mortgage balance
Calculate an affordable repayment range
Compare options and book an adviser/lender review

Outcomes

My mortgage review decision is made with confidence

An early-warning response plan is in place

I am prepared before my fixed rate expires

My Home Protection Programme

Module 7

Debt, Savings & Financial Goals

Focus

Home ownership works best when the rest of your finances remain under control. Reducing expensive debt, rebuilding savings and maintaining a surplus can improve your ability to manage the mortgage.

My Financial Goals

Consumer debt reduction and emergency savings targets
Home maintenance reserve and additional repayments
Long-term savings and investment goals

Exercise: My Financial Priority Ladder

Rank goals so every extra dollar has a purpose
Identify the top financial priority and why it matters

Outcomes

My top three financial priorities are identified

A financial priority ladder is set

Progress indicators are being tracked

My Home Protection Programme

Module 8

Annual Homeowner Review & Action Plan

Focus

Complete this review at least once each year, and whenever there is a major change in income, mortgage rates or household circumstances.

Annual Homeowner Financial Review

Mortgage, budget, rates, insurance and emergency fund
Property maintenance, consumer debt and savings
Future financial goals and required actions

Exercise: Next 12-Month Home Protection Plan

One measurable action for each quarter
Measures of success and review dates
What would show our position is stronger in 12 months

Outcomes

Mortgage servicing and budget systems are established

Rates, insurance, maintenance and emergency plans are in place

A sustainable home ownership plan is achieved

Explore More

Programmes That Work Alongside My Home Protection

My Home Programme

The pathway to mortgage pre-approval

Kāinga Tū Home Buyer Programme

The full end-to-end journey to home ownership

Protecting Our Home, Strengthening Our Future

Protect the Home. Protect the Mortgage.

Small, consistent actions help turn home ownership into long-term security for you and your whānau. Talk with our team about your ongoing financial plan.

My Home Protection Programme 0800-007-993

My Home Protection ProgrammePost Settlement

You have completed the purchase and settlement of your home. The focus now shifts from getting into home ownership to staying financially secure in home ownership.