We’re not sure about you, but after the year (or two… if we’re being honest) that has been 2020 and 2021, we have NEVER been more ready for a holiday.
One slight hiccup… COVID-19 hasn’t exactly been the easiest of times on the financial front. In fact, it’s the opposite. Research has shown that almost 40% of Kiwi’s during the level 4 lockdowns were at risk of tipping into financial hardship, and we all know that holidays and financial hardships are two things that don’t quite go together.
One option you might not have considered or known about is a Holiday Loan with Pioneer Finance.
So, what can a Holiday Loan actually be used for?
The world is your oyster… or with the current travel restrictions, New Zealand is!
To kick things off and get your mind dreaming, some Kiwi holidays you could go on are to hire a retro camping van, stopping off at the most beautiful glamping sights up and down the country. Breaking up nights under the stars by attending a live music gig or two at a tavern in one of the many awesome, quirky and quaint beach towns along the way.
Or if the idea of music had your ears tingling, New Zealand is known for its world-class summer festivals. Dancing beachside in funky festive attire at Splore, to bringing in the New Year at Rhythm and Alps, one of Aotearoa’s biggest musical festival, situated in our very own Cardrona Valley.
Maybe music and glamping is not quite your style, but a Holiday Loan can be used for so much more. How about a trip through one of the many vineyards, tasting all New Zealand culinary has to offer in Marlborough, Hawkes Bay or Central Otago? Pioneer Finance can have you covered for all of the key travel, accommodation and activity expenses if you’re more wine and dine than dancing and hiking.
family sitting and eating outdoors by car, caravan holiday trip.
All the above holidays sound seriously appealing right about now, but if you’re one of the many Aucklander’s who missed the opportunity to escape the Super City for a winter holiday this year because of lockdowns, the 2022 snow season may be calling your name.
A Winter holiday could be heading to the North Island’s beautiful Whakapapa or Tūroa at Mt Ruapehu or making your way to one of the South Island’s many world-famous ski fields. Spending your days shredding the slopes and nights sipping mulled wine, making up for missed moments of 2021. A holiday loan could be the difference from a 1-star holiday to a week away that is reminisced for years to come.
Queenstown, New Zealand – A woman learning to snowboard with an instructor at the Coronet Peak ski resort in New Zealand south island
New Zealand holidays have so much to offer. Our backyard is filled with incredible scenes. From relaxing at stunning beaches in the North, dancing with mates at a Summertime festival, appreciating serious culinary feats up and down the country or hitting the slopes as soon as the 2022 season starts. A holiday loan can be the helping hand to give you, your friends or your whānau a much-needed break after what has been a truly crazy and tough couple of years.
So, to sum up, some the epic holiday ideas that a loan could be put towards:
- Hiring a retro caravan to take up and down the country
- Renting out a quintessential glamping accommodation
- Purchasing tickets to a music or arts festival
- Wine tasting at some of New Zealand’s best vineyards
- A meal out at one of the awesome up and coming or well-known restaurants all over Aotearoa
- Ski season passes or snow gear hire at any of the world-class fields either island has to offer
- Flights to get to any of the destinations you’ve got in mind
- And much much more!
Your dream holiday isn’t that far out of reach, and we’re of the view you deserve one!
Can’t decide where to go! here is a website to help give you some ideas:
Keep reading below to find out what information you need to provide.
What is a Holiday Loan?
A Holiday loan is a fixed term, fixed interest rate, Secured or Unsecured loan used for purchasing airfares, accommodation, transfers and activities while on holiday.
What you will learn in this Holiday Loan Guide:
- How a holiday loan works
- Benefit of a holiday loan
- What security can be used
- Holiday loan terms
- How to apply and qualify
- The difference between Secured and Unsecured
How does a holiday loan work?
Once you have decided what you need the holiday loan for you can apply and receive the funds in your bank account to pay for airfares, accommodation, transfers, rental cars or any activities you plan on doing while away. The best thing is you can start paying your loan of before your trip. You then repay the loan amount – plus interest and fees over a fixed term. Repayments can be calculated weekly, fortnightly or monthly to suit your regular income.
The Benefit
When it comes to deciding on a holiday loan you need to look at the benefits as opposed to the alternatives:
Holiday Loan
- Loan term is fixed
- Fixed interest rate
- Repayment’s remain the same each week, fortnight or month
- You can top up your holiday loan if more travel needs arise
Credit card
- High interest
- No fixed term
- No fixed repayment
As you can see taking a holiday loan gives you the certainty of when you will pay the loan off, what rate, what repayments and the flexibility to increase the loan or repay the loan early.
What security can be used?
We can use the following securities:
- Property
- Motor vehicles – Including cars, trucks & motorbikes
- Boats & Jetskis
- Household chattels
For some applicants we may be able to help you with an unsecured loan.
Holiday Loan Terms
The loan terms we are able to offer depends on the security offered. Below is a table detailing the terms we can offer:
| Security | Minimum Term | Maximum term |
| Property | 1 Month | 7 Years |
| Motor Vehicles less than 10 years old | 1 Year | 4 Years |
| Motor vehicles older than 10 years | 1 Year | 3 Years |
| Motor vehicles older than 18 years | 1 Year | 2 Years |
| Boats & Jetskis | 1 Year | 3 Years |
| Chattels | 1 Year | 2 Years |
How to apply
You can apply for a holiday loan with Pioneer Finance if you are:
- Over the age of 18; and
- A New Zealand Citizen, Permanent Resident or in some instances on a work visa; and
- Are employed or have a regular source of income i.e Job, Self-employed or receive a benefit
You do need to show that you have the affordability for the loan and that you are who you say you are. You can do this by providing the following:
- Proof of Identity – i.e passport or driver’s license
- Proof of Address – Bank statement, utilities bill or a letter from a government department
- 3 Months bank statements
Depending on the security offered for the loan we may require further information such as rates notice, mortgage statement’s or proof of purchase.
What checks will you complete using my information?
Depending on the security offered we will do checks with the following registers:
- Credit checks with 1 or more of the following Equifax, Centrix or Illion
- PPSR
- Land online
- New Zealand transport
- Driver check
Don’t worry if your credit check has a couple of bumps and bruises we may still be able to help you.
Holiday Loan Fees and Charges
Holiday loans will have various fees attached, which may include:
| An establishment fee once you loan is approved and you have accepted the terms | $165-$550 |
| Ongoing monthly account fees | $9 |
| Motor Vehicle Security registration fees | $8.05 |
| Caveat registration fee | $160 |
| Early settlement fee | $75 |
| Caveat removal fee | $155 |
Some of these fees will be charged to the loan upfront or are calculated in your weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. Other fees can be charged at the end of the loan term such as early settlement fees or if you used your property as security a caveat removal fee can be charged.
For more details on our fees and charges go to our Interest rates and fees page in the important information section.
What’s the difference between a Secured and Unsecured loan?
When getting a holiday loan it is important to look at all of the costs and fees and often using security for your loan can reduce the interest rate offered. Secured loans may take a little longer to process but are of lower risk to the lender and can reduce your overall cost.
No Security? Don’t worry you can still get an Unsecured Loan. The interest rates might be a little bit higher, but getting an unsecured personal loan can be a great alternative to a credit card. Here are some great reasons why you should look at getting an unsecured personal loan rather than a credit card:
- Interest rate is often lower than a credit card
- An unsecured holiday loan has a set weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment
- It’s easy to top up the loan if you need more money
Personal Loan Repayment Example:
Amount Borrowed $10,000.00
Establishment Fee $395.00
Payment Protection Insurance $824.48
PPSR Fee $8.05
Total including fees and insurances $11,227.53
Interest Rate 16.95%pa
Monthly Account Fee $12.00
Loan Term 36 Months
35 Monthly repayments of $411.85 plus 1 final repayment of $411.41
The above is an example of a common loan request and gives you an indication of what the monthly loan repayments will be. Your establishment fee may be different depending on the security used and the time taken to process your application. We would also like to point out that the Payment Protection Insurance used in this quote is not compulsory.
Holiday Loans summary
In summary, Holiday loans with Pioneer Finance:
- Are fixed-term, fixed-rate secured loans
- Are arranged online, over the phone, in one of our two branches in Wellington & Auckland or through a finance broker
- Repayments can be made weekly, fortnightly or monthly
- Interest rates range from 6.95%pa to 16.95%pa
- Establishment Fees range between $165.00 – $550.00
- Loan terms can be from one year to seven years in length.