Who the fast is Aera?

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We’re flipping the first home market on its head and standing up for buyers. We cut the red tape and get Kiwis on the ladder—fast.

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We focus on getting you to that first home as fast as you can with a 10% deposit -  most Kiwis don’t even know this is possible. Aera is your one-stop partner, helping you save faster, secure a mortgage, and find the right home.

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Our world-first app builds your personalised Game Plan based on your finances. When ready, you get paired up with a coach and mortgage advisor to get you mortgage-ready—fast.

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Hit key milestones? We pay you up to $10,000 towards your deposit—straight from the new build commissions we share with you. Track them in the app and keep on winning. 

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Then, your personal First Home Finder taps into the best new developments with all of our incredible partners across New Zealand to find your perfect first home.

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A couple setting up their new home from Aera

‍founder Derek Handley
explaining Aera’s mission

About Derek Handley,
co founder Aera

Derek is a serial entrepreneur who has founded and sold multiple companies.

He created Aera VC a global venture fund reversing climate change, and co-founded international non profit The B Team alongside Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson. He was campaign Chair for Duke of Sussex Prince Harry’s sustainability travel initiative Travalyst.

Derek was named one of top 100 global leaders by Real Leaders Magazine and 100 most influential people in technology in New York by Business Insider. He is a former EY young entrepreneur of the year with degrees in finance and, architectural science and will graduate with a Masters majoring in religion at Harvard in 2025.

He and co-founder James Abbott created Aera to use technology and entrepreneurship not to solve the housing crisis but to help Kiwis beat it.

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As seen in...

Why are we doing this?

The system is stacked against first home buyers. We’re tearing it down.

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Too many middlemen. Too many fees. Not enough help. Not enough knowledge. We’ve cut out the fluff and put more money back in your pocket to get you in sooner.

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We question everything about the process—and if it doesn’t serve first home buyers, we fix it.

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We are Aera, and we like fast. Because in NZ, house prices have doubled every decade for 50 years. The sooner you’re in, the cheaper it is—and the better your future.

A dedicated 10% deposit First Home Faster team to get a mortgage and a home
A $10K to turbo boost your deposit
The Aera Super App - Aera is all housed in a ground breaking super app
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“Aera and Michael Liew were absolutely fantastic on helping me achieve my first home. Michael especially made the entire process go so smoothly.”

– Michael Hay
FHF Matt section graphic

Get a personal first home finder.

Houses. You want it, they’ll find it.

One of our First Home Finders is on hand to help you find the right home for you. Simply call them for free to take the next steps or if you have any burning questions.

Book a First Home Finder Call

Frequently asked questions

What houses do they find?

Our first Home Finders work with the major home builders in the country. They know what new builds and developments are coming up, what’s getting built at present and what is about to go on the market.

We specialise in finding our members new builds as you only need a 10% deposit for one and it’s much more straight forward than buying a used home

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What if I don't like the homes found?

Working with a First Home Coach will change the way you see first homes. Once you change your perspective on what a first home is, you’ll love the options provided. But you aren’t forced to use us, it’s an optional service. You can still save with Aera, or use our bank fit coaches without choosing to use Aera to find your home. But why wouldn’t you?

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What if i find my own home?

You can find your own home, but the best way to fasttrack your deposit with $10,000 of Aera Credits is finding a home through Aera. We get paid through commissions that we split with you. If you go through a real estate agent, they’ll get the commission and keep all of it. If you see something you like, always talk to your First Home Coach first, so we can act on your behalf before agents get involved and share that money with you.

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How much can I borrow?
What's a First home finder?
Am I too late to Join?
What are Aera Credits?

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Important Disclosure

All financial decisions involve risk. Any returns referenced are not guaranteed. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice when considering whether a decision is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs.

Aera is not a registered bank.

Aera is an initiative of the Aera Foundation, a charitable trust backing creative responses to social and environmental challenges. Aera Foundation is registered as CC50290 with the New Zealand Charities Commission.

The Aera financial services platform is provided by Aera 22 Opco Limited, and is registered on the Financial Services Providers Register (FSPR.govt.nz).
FSP#1003388 and FSP#1003389

Aera's custodial financial service is not licensed by a New Zealand regulator. Aera's registration on the New Zealand register of financial service providers and membership of the Financial Services Complants Limited dispute resolution scheme does not constitute active regulation or oversight by a New Zealand regulator.
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