First Home Grant Calculator

The Kāinga Ora First Home Grant provides up to $5,000 for the purchase of an existing home or up to $10,000 for a new build. The grant is calculated at $1,000 per year of KiwiSaver contributions, so: 3 years = $3,000 (existing) or $6,000 (new build); 4 years = $4,000 or $8,000; 5+ years = the maximum $5,000 or $10,000. For couples where both partners are eligible first home buyers, both can apply for the grant, meaning a couple buying a new build who have each contributed to KiwiSaver for 5+ years could receive a combined grant of $20,000. The grant is paid directly to your solicitor/conveyancer at settlement. It does not need to be repaid, provided you live in the home as your primary residence for at least 6 months after purchase. Source: Kāinga Ora — First Home Grant (kaingaora.govt.nz).

To be eligible for the Kāinga Ora First Home Grant, your income must be within the prescribed limits: $95,000 gross annual income for a single applicant, or a combined $150,000 for two or more buyers purchasing together. These caps apply to the income earned in the 12 months before the date of application. Income includes wages, salary, self-employment income, and most regular taxable income. The income cap for the First Home Grant is separate from — and lower than — thresholds that may apply to other assistance schemes. If your income exceeds these caps, you may still be eligible to use your KiwiSaver balance for a first home withdrawal (which has no income test), but you will not qualify for the grant. The income thresholds are set by Kāinga Ora and have remained unchanged in recent years. Source: Kāinga Ora — First Home Grant Eligibility (kaingaora.govt.nz).

Yes — the Kāinga Ora First Home Grant and the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal are two entirely separate schemes and can be used together for the same property purchase. The KiwiSaver withdrawal brings your own accumulated savings from your KiwiSaver account to the purchase (all contributions and returns minus $1,000). The First Home Grant is a direct grant from the government (administered by Kāinga Ora) that adds to your deposit on top of the KiwiSaver withdrawal. Both require separate applications: your KiwiSaver withdrawal is processed by your KiwiSaver provider, while the First Home Grant is applied for through Kāinga Ora. Combining both can significantly boost your deposit. For example, a buyer with $40,000 in KiwiSaver and 5 years of contributions on a new build could access $40,000 + $10,000 = $50,000 toward their deposit. House price caps and income limits must be met for the grant. Source: Kāinga Ora (kaingaora.govt.nz).

The First Home Grant has regional house price caps that determine the maximum purchase price of an eligible home. As at 2025, the caps for new builds are higher than for existing homes, and vary by region. Key caps include: Auckland, Wellington City, Queenstown-Lakes District — $875,000 new build, $650,000 existing; Hamilton, Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty, Kapiti Coast, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Nelson, Tasman, Waikato — $800,000 new build, $600,000 existing; most other regions — $650,000 new build, $500,000 existing. The property must be in New Zealand and must be the first residential property you have owned. If the purchase price exceeds the cap for your region, you are not eligible for the grant on that property, even if you meet all other criteria. Source: Kāinga Ora — House Price Caps (kaingaora.govt.nz).