Get the home
you signed up for
Whether you're building new or buying off the plans, a Homestar™ rating shows your home is built to a higher, independently assessed standard.
NEW HOME BUILDERS
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.
You wouldn't buy a car without a safety rating — so why build a new home with no rating at all? A Homestar™ rating is independent confirmation that your home has been designed with warmth, dryness, health, and efficiency in mind.
Building to a 6 Homestar rating adds up to a modest 1.5% to the build cost. Independent analysis from Infometrics found homeowners can save over $62,000 in energy bills and mortgage costs over 30 years — and be better off within just two to three years.
Ask your builder about Homestar before you sign your building contract — it's much easier to include from the start.
Could your purchase unlock better financing?
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.
APARTMENT & TOWNHOUSE BUYERS
Get the home you signed up for.
Some homes look the same. But they don't live the same. When you're buying an apartment or townhouse off the plans, a Homestar™ rating is your independent assurance that the home has been built to a higher, independently assessed standard.
A Homestar rating covers key aspects of your home's comfort, health, and efficiency — giving you confidence before you hand over the keys.
When you're comparing house plans, look for the officially targeting Homestar™ logo. And if you don't see it — ask your developer about it.
How to ask for Homestar™
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When you're meeting builders, ask: "Do you build to a Homestar rating?" It's much easier — and cheaper — to include Homestar from the start of your project than to retrofit it later.
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Many NZ builders already build to Homestar. Use our find a builder directory to find builders in your area.
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Talk to your bank about whether your Homestar-rated home could qualify for better lending terms. Some banks offer discounted rates to eligible lenders for certified homes.
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When your home is complete and independently verified as meeting Homestar assessment criteria, it will receive a Homestar Built certification. Look for the Homestar logo and your star rating — your independent proof of a better-built home.
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When viewing apartments or townhouses, ask: "Is this development Homestar rated or officially targeting a Homestar rating?"