Matt’s June Wrap-Up: International Racing & Interest Rates
China! Wow.
I recently had the amazing opportunity to organise a Dragon Boat team to race at an international regatta in Miluo, China. I’ve always been fascinated by China — a country that's evolved so dramatically — and I was itching to see it with my own eyes. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint.
China absolutely blew me away. It's clean, safe, buzzing with pride, steeped in culture… and incredibly affordable! Thanks to the local tourism board funding our trip, we were on a pretty tight schedule — but treated like absolute royalty. From the moment we landed, it was full immersion: cultural performances in centuries-old temples, VIP welcomes, and yes, firecrackers that nearly blasted us into next week (seriously, those things are LOUD).
Electric vehicles rule the roads over there, including mopeds and scooters — so cities felt surprisingly quiet. And despite the towering apartment blocks everywhere, they’ve built in green spaces and parks that give the place a refreshing sense of calm, even in cities of millions.
One unforgettable moment: after the regatta (and after a few well-earned beers), we boarded a bullet train flying along at 350km/h. In my excitement, I left my phone — and credit cards — behind. Panic, right? Nope. Thanks to our amazing tour guides, Rosanna and her team at Travel With Me, I had everything back in my hand the very next day. Legends. If you're thinking of heading to China, these are the people to talk to. I already can't wait to go back!
Mortgage & Interest Rate Update
On the home front — great news! Interest rates have been trending down over the past few months. For many of our clients, this has meant noticeable drops in their minimum repayments, giving some much-needed breathing room.
Hot tip: If you can, keep your repayments at the higher level — or even bump them up a little. That’s how you really save on interest and shave years off your loan. Have a go with our Loan Term Calculator (HERE) and see the difference for yourself.
For example:
Add just $50 per fortnight to a $250,000 mortgage and you could save over $40,000 in interest and cut your loan term by 4.5 years! Not bad for the price of a couple of takeaways.
Looking ahead, it seems likely that rates will keep slowly easing over the next 6–12 months, with a period of stability (finally!) to follow. My pick? We’ll see short-term rates (6–24 months) settle around 4.5% by year-end.
The three-year fixed rate will be the one to watch — if it drops to around 4.75%, that could be a smart choice for those wanting certainty and no plans for big lump-sum payments. (Of course, this isn’t personal advice — reach out if you’d like to chat about your situation.)
Global pressures — unrest in the Middle East, sticky inflation in the US, and NZ’s sluggish recovery — all play a part in how far rates might fall. It’s a waiting game… but the signs are encouraging.
Whether you’re thinking about refixing, buying your first home, or just wanting to make the most of this shift in the market, now’s a great time to check in. Everyone’s situation is different, and a quick chat could help you make a smart move — or give you peace of mind that you're already on the right track.
Thanks for reading, and if you haven’t already, take a look around the rest of the blog while you’re here — we’re always adding new tips, updates, and insights to help you stay one step ahead.