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Hunt for the Hundy: Where $100,000 buys a full 20% deposit in 2026
Discover how a $100k prize can cover up to 100% of a 20% home deposit across New Zealand's regions and property types.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
AI summary
A $100,000 prize, like from Trade Me's Hunt for the Hundy, can significantly boost your home deposit. In affordable regions like the West Coast, it covers the entire 20% deposit for an average home, while in Southland it covers 95%.
Choosing a different property type also helps. Nationally, $100k covers 98% of a deposit for a unit. In major cities, it fully covers deposits for Wellington city apartments and Christchurch city units, making homeownership achievable.
The Deep South advantage
Where $100k goes further. Greymouth and Hokitika on the West Coast, and Invercargill in the Deep South.
Property type breakdown: Units vs. townhouses vs. apartments
Apartments, townhouses and units, where $100k can go a long way towards a 20% deposit.
Main center spotlight: Big city bargains
The repayment factor: What $100,000 saves you monthly
Supercharging your deposit with KiwiSaver
| Region | Average asking price (July 2026) | 20% deposit required | Portion covered by $100k prize | Remaining cash needed for 20% deposit | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Coast | West Coast | $491,400 | $491,400 | $98,280 | $98,280 | 100% | 100% | $0 (+$1,720 surplus) | $0 (+$1,720 surplus) |
| Southland | Southland | $529,000 | $529,000 | $105,800 | $105,800 | 95% | 95% | $5,800 | $5,800 |
| Manawatū / Whanganui | Manawatū / Whanganui | $552,750 | $552,750 | $110,550 | $110,550 | 91% | 91% | $10,550 | $10,550 |
| Taranaki | Taranaki | $633,400 | $633,400 | $126,680 | $126,680 | 79% | 79% | $26,680 | $26,680 |
| Marlborough | Marlborough | $673,550 | $673,550 | $134,710 | $134,710 | 74% | 74% | $34,710 | $34,710 |
| Canterbury | Canterbury | $721,400 | $721,400 | $144,280 | $144,280 | 69% | 69% | $44,280 | $44,280 |
| Northland | Northland | $727,950 | $727,950 | $145,590 | $145,590 | 69% | 69% | $45,590 | $45,590 |
| Hawke's Bay | Hawke's Bay | $742,750 | $742,750 | $148,550 | $148,550 | 67% | 67% | $48,550 | $48,550 |
| Wellington | Wellington | $744,750 | $744,750 | $148,950 | $148,950 | 67% | 67% | $48,950 | $48,950 |
| Waikato | Waikato | $787,000 | $787,000 | $157,400 | $157,400 | 64% | 64% | $57,400 | $57,400 |
| Nelson / Tasman | Nelson / Tasman | $803,100 | $803,100 | $160,620 | $160,620 | 62% | 62% | $60,620 | $60,620 |
| Bay of Plenty | Bay of Plenty | $870,150 | $870,150 | $174,030 | $174,030 | 58% | 58% | $74,030 | $74,030 |
| Otago | Otago | $924,650 | $924,650 | $184,930 | $184,930 | 54% | 54% | $84,930 | $84,930 |
| Auckland | Auckland | $981,050 | $981,050 | $196,210 | $196,210 | 51% | 51% | $96,210 | $96,210 |
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