Who the fast is Aera?

The market takes. We give back.

We are a team of Kiwis who built Aera to help Kiwis get into their first homes faster.

The Aera Fast Track is a complete system: your coaching team, a smart learning app, and a $10k deposit boost — all designed to get you into a brand-new home with just 10% down.

Here’s how it works: smash learning blocks in the Aera app, stack credits, and unlock up to $10k for your deposit. Your coach builds a Game Plan with a real buy date — not “someday.”

Our mortgage crew goes head-to-head with the banks. Our home finders show you homes you can actually land — not the fantasy listings you’ll keep losing out on.

This is the Fast Track. It’s not guidance. It’s not vibes. It’s a weapon. If you’re serious, get in. If not, keep renting.

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...

In store Now:
The book that gets you home faster

We didn’t just write a book. We wrote the book on how to get into your first home faster. Blunt, myth-busting and the playbook every Kiwi needs. Every page tears down the tired lies, exposes little-known truths, and gives you the mindset shifts that actually move you forward.

Backed by the team behind Aera, it’s not fluff — it’s the exact steps and strategies that have helped hundreds of everyday Kiwis go from stuck to sorted. Case in point: the book walks step by step alongside two average 30-year-olds, average wages, average KiwiSaver balances who get a home in 272 days flat.

This isn’t bedtime reading. It’s a manual, a weapon, a shortcut through the noise.

(If you’re deadly serious about your first home, ask nicely on socials and we might even send you a copy free.)

Why are we doing this?

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

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.

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

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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What people are saying...

”More than 5000 people have joined its platform, suggesting a strong demand for a service that truly understands the unique challenges faced by first-home buyers.”

“Aera simplifies the often overwhelming buying process with its ‘First Home Faster Team’ which provides coaching and expert guidance through every step and is just a video call, message, or email away.”
”Beyond lowering deposit barriers, Aera provides members with an all-in-one solution to navigate the home-buying process.”

“Your first home may be closer than you think. Join Aera today and start your journey to homeownership.”
"A one-stop shop – and a $10k carrot"

"Aera brings together the higher-interest saving option with almost all the other services required to get you into a home – mortgage broking, insurance, real estate agents and developers – and guides you through a digital learning and milestone-based platform to get you ready to buy."
"It may sound too good to be true, but entrepreneur Derek Handley believes he’s found the ultimate hack to unlock the housing market for young buyers.

“If you're an average couple in your 30s, with an average KiwiSaver and earning the average wage of $33 per hour, you can get your first home,” Handley said.

And crucially, his plan doesn’t rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad either"
”More than 5000 people have joined its platform, suggesting a strong demand for a service that truly understands the unique challenges faced by first-home buyers.”

“Aera simplifies the often overwhelming buying process with its ‘First Home Faster Team’ which provides coaching and expert guidance through every step and is just a video call, message, or email away.”
”Beyond lowering deposit barriers, Aera provides members with an all-in-one solution to navigate the home-buying process.”

“Your first home may be closer than you think. Join Aera today and start your journey to homeownership.”
"A one-stop shop – and a $10k carrot"

"Aera brings together the higher-interest saving option with almost all the other services required to get you into a home – mortgage broking, insurance, real estate agents and developers – and guides you through a digital learning and milestone-based platform to get you ready to buy."
"It may sound too good to be true, but entrepreneur Derek Handley believes he’s found the ultimate hack to unlock the housing market for young buyers.

“If you're an average couple in your 30s, with an average KiwiSaver and earning the average wage of $33 per hour, you can get your first home,” Handley said.

And crucially, his plan doesn’t rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad either"
"I went from wistfully looking at properties, doubtful I could afford it and with no clue how to proceed. Fast forward LESS THAN SIX MONTHS I slept for the first night in my new home that is perfect for me! A huge thank you to the Aera team for their hard work! As a single income earner on a teachers salary, I was amazed at how easy and quick the process was from first putting out feelers to signing on the dotted line. I’m so grateful!"
- Che Hancock
"Aera were absolutely fantastic In helping me achieve my first home. They made the entire process go so smoothly, going above and beyond with replying to my questions at all times of day and night."
- Michael Hay
"Aera made buying my first home far less stressful than I expected. The $10K credits and extra help were awesome, but what really made a difference was how easygoing and reassuring the whole experience was. I never felt rushed into anything I wasn't comfortable with, which was a huge ..."
- Callum Williamson
"Easy to use app. So far, so good."
- Keith Lyon
"Huge thanks to the Aera team for helping us on the journey of our first home. They were so efficient and quick in getting us approved from the bank. Worked around the clock to get it done. 2 weeks from my first phone call the loan got approved and they were massive in taking the stress of going to look for a property. They came well planned in properties to look for and agreed on our first viewing which property we want! Highly recommend to first home buyers."
- David Mohi
Auckland
"Great app for saving money. Been with Aera for almost a year and can prove that I am earning higher interest than traditional banks, their support is responsive too and a real person that cares about your needs."
- Irvine09
"The team at Aera were amazing. Super responsive, knowledgeable and positive, they helped me realise a long-term goal without fuss, quickly. Highly recommended!"
- Callum Clark
Christchurch

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