Buying guide

Using KiwiSaver to buy your first home: how it works

Saving a deposit can be hard for first home buyers. Luckily, KiwiSaver and other schemes can help you out.

Last updated: 27 May 2024

In this article you’ll learn:

How KiwiSaver withdrawals work for your first home purchase
How the First Home Loan scheme works
Who is eligible for the First Home Loan

Perhaps one of the most daunting parts of the first home buying process is working out how you'll get the money together to pay for a deposit. Saving for a deposit can seem like a mammoth task, with the rising cost of living, that lump sum can always seem out of reach.

To be successful, you'll need to plan carefully, save hard and think smart. Be aware of the schemes that help New Zealanders buy their first house.

1. KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawals

This involves simply withdrawing funds from your KiwiSaver and putting the money towards your first home deposit. To be allowed to do this you must:

Be a first-time property or land owner.
Have been with KiwiSaver (or another complying superannuation fund) for at least three years.
Be buying property or land that's in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Intend to live in the home you're buying, or build the home on the land you're buying.
Not have used a KiwiSaver withdrawal to buy a home before.

Using KiwiSaver can make the maths on buying your first home a little less scary.

How much can I withdraw?

If you meet these requirements, you can withdraw any amount from your KiwiSaver, as long as:

There's at least $1,000 left at the end, and
You don't withdraw any amounts transferred from complying Australian super schemes.

You'll also be unable to withdraw Government member tax credits received during any time spent overseas when you didn't have NZ permanent residence since you joined KiwiSaver.

How to apply for KiwiSaver withdrawal

Your KiwiSaver manager will be able to give you a first home withdrawal application form, and an eligibility letter to prove you're allowed to withdraw funds from your KiwiSaver. You'll need to present this letter, along with an estimate of how much you'll be able to withdraw, when you apply for home loan pre-approval.

You'll then want to apply for your first home withdrawal nice and early, once you've found the house or piece of land you want to buy (your KiwiSaver manager will need all documents at least 15 working days before payments are due). From here, as long as you're eligible, you can either:

Put the funds towards your home deposit while the sale and purchase agreement is still conditional

Once your offer becomes unconditional, put your KiwiSaver towards the purchase price at settlement.

Note: you should run any important documents, such as your first home withdrawal application form, past your lawyer so they can help you complete it.

The KiwiSaver first home withdrawal can’t be paid out after settlement day, so if it isn't processed before the sale is settled, you’ll miss out.

Your KiwiSaver manager will help you apply for your withdrawal.

2. The First Home Loan scheme

The First Home Grant scheme was scrapped in May 2024. However, you may still be eligible for a First Home Loan.

If you take out a First Home loan (previously Welcome Home loan), you can reduce the standard 10-20% deposit required by most NZ lenders to 5%.

The First Home Loan is offered by a number of bank lenders and is underwritten by Kāinga Ora.

To be eligible for the First Home Loan scheme, you must:

be earning less than the income caps ($85,000 before tax for one person, or a combined $130,000 before tax for two people) in a year plus a new income tax category was introduced for individual buyers with dependents of $150,000
be a first home buyer, or in a financial position similar to a first home buyer.
have 5% of the purchase price of the house you want to buy.
not own any other property.
intend to live in the home you're buying.

You'll need to check the eligibility criteria if you're going to apply for the First Home Loan.

How much is the First Home Loan worth?

How much you can borrow is capped, and this amount depends on where you live. For example, Aucklanders will have a higher cap than provincial residents. So, the maximum you can borrow is the house price cap for that region, minus your 5% deposit.

Applying for the First Home Loan

Once you've checked you're eligible, choose a lender and get your 5% deposit together. Fill out the lender’s loan application and from here you’ll have two options.

1. Apply for a First Home Loan pre-approval:

This shows you meet all the necessary criteria, and the lender will be able to tell you how much they will lend. Once you've found a house within that price range, you can return for final loan approval.

2. Apply for First Home Loan final approval:

If you already have your eye on a property, you can apply for final approval. The lender will need to check that both the house and your circumstances meet their lending criteria.

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*We hope this article has provided some helpful information. It's based on our experience and is not intended as a complete guide. Of course, it doesn’t consider your individual needs or situation. If you're thinking about buying or selling a property, you should always get specific advice.