KiwiSaver First Home Guides NZ

After at least three years of membership, you may be able to withdraw your KiwiSaver savings toward a first home, as long as at least $1,000 stays in the account. The guides below cover each step, from checking you qualify to settlement day; the other ways to use or withdraw KiwiSaver are in the main KiwiSaver guide.

Who Can Use It

First home withdrawal eligibility: the three-year rule, previous ownership and the second-chance (previous home owner) rule, trusts, relationship property and joint purchases (for splitting a KiwiSaver balance itself, see KiwiSaver and divorce)

How Much You Can Withdraw

KiwiSaver as a house deposit: what can and can’t be withdrawn, the $1,000 that stays, worked balances, and how the withdrawal counts toward your deposit

Applying and Timing

KiwiSaver first home withdrawal guide: how it works and how to apply, step by step, with the documents providers ask for
First home withdrawal timeline and checklist: when to apply, processing times and a checklist from house hunting to settlement

Property Types

KiwiSaver for land, a house and land package or a new build: off-the-plan purchases, progress payments and why the withdrawal can’t pay for the build
KiwiSaver for a second home or investment property: why these don’t qualify

Grants and Low-Deposit Lending

Kāinga Ora stopped accepting First Home Grant applications on 22 May 2024 (the grant’s history and what remains). Low-deposit lending is in the First Home Loan guide.