Ask for better
Ask for Homestar™
A Homestar™ rating is independent certification that your new home is designed to be warmer, drier, healthier and more efficient — not just built to Building code.
New Zealand’s independent home rating system
Homestar™ is a national rating tool that independently certifies the design and construction of new homes. A Homestar-rated home shows your home is built to a higher, independently verified standard.
Managed by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), Homestar™ rates homes on a scale of 6-10 stars across health, comfort and energy efficiency.
Aim for a healthier home and bank balance.
A Homestar™ rated home is designed with your family's health and comfort in mind — and independent research shows it can be significantly better for your finances too. Independent analysis from Infometrics breaks the savings down into two streams.
$6,800+
Mortgage interest savings
Various banks and lenders offer discounted green loans for homes that meet certain sustainability criteria. For example, ANZ offers a Healthy Home Loan package, which offers discounts on home loan interest rates for homes with a 6 Homestar™ or higher rating. Savings of at least $6,800 in your first five years alone.
$296–$580+
Lower energy bills
A Homestar™ rated home is designed to be more efficient to run. Research shows energy savings start at $296 a year, rising to at least $580 per year by 2050, as electricity prices increase — depending on your home type, location and how you operate your home.
2-3 Years
Pay back period
Despite a modest extra upfront cost of up to 1.5%, Homestar™ homeowners can expect to be better off within just two to three years — through lower interest rates and lower power bills combined.
The 30-year picture
Combined mortgage interest and energy savings over a 30-year loan period, based on independent analysis by Infometrics. Savings vary by home type and location.
$62k–$98k
Total savings over 30 years*
*Source: Infometrics, Analysis of Financial Benefits of Homestar, May 2025. Figures based on a 6 Homestar rated home compared to a standard building code-compliant home. Savings vary by home type, location, and individual circumstances.
Builders already certifying to Homestar™
