KiwiSaver First Home Calculator
Calculate your KiwiSaver first home withdrawal in NZD and see how far it goes towards a deposit for your first home in New Zealand. Rules checked September 2026; the First Home Grant closed on 22 May 2024.
KiwiSaver First Home Calculator
Calculate how much you can withdraw from KiwiSaver for your first home and how far it goes towards a deposit. Rules checked September 2026 (the First Home Grant closed on 22 May 2024).
Your total KiwiSaver balance today
Must be 3+ years to withdraw
Used for future balance projection
Your rate. Default is 3.5% for you and your employer from 1 April 2026 (a temporary 3% rate can be requested)
Price of the home you want to buy
The Kainga Ora First Home Grant closed to new applications on 22 May 2024, so this calculator no longer adds a grant.
KiwiSaver Withdrawal
Future Balance Projection
Based on 3.5% contribution + 3% employer match + 4% estimated returns
First Home Grant: closed
The government discontinued the Kainga Ora First Home Grant, and it stopped taking new applications on 22 May 2024. The Kainga Ora First Home Loan (deposits from 5%) was kept; check its current criteria with Kainga Ora.
Total Available for First Home
Deposit Coverage (property price: $750,000)
How KiwiSaver First Home Works
1. Save with KiwiSaver
Be a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years. From 1 April 2026 the default rate is 3.5% of pay from you and 3.5% from your employer.
2. Apply to Withdraw
When you buy, apply to your KiwiSaver provider to withdraw your savings, leaving $1,000 in the account.
3. Check Your Deposit
The First Home Grant closed on 22 May 2024. Ask lenders about deposit requirements, including the Kainga Ora First Home Loan.
Current KiwiSaver First Home Rules
First Home Withdrawal
Contributions
First Home Grant
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding KiwiSaver for Your First Home in New Zealand
KiwiSaver is New Zealand's voluntary workplace savings scheme. For first home buyers, its main benefit is the first home withdrawal, which can put your KiwiSaver savings towards a deposit. The First Home Grant that used to sit alongside it closed on 22 May 2024.
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal
After being a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years, you can apply to withdraw almost your entire balance to put towards the purchase of your first home. You must leave $1,000 in your account. The withdrawal can include your own contributions, employer contributions, the government contribution, and interest earned; funds transferred from an Australian complying superannuation scheme cannot be withdrawn. You apply through your KiwiSaver provider.
First Home Grant (closed)
The government discontinued the Kainga Ora First Home Grant in May 2024, and it stopped taking new applications on 22 May 2024. Older articles that describe grant amounts, income caps or regional house price caps are out of date.
Eligibility Requirements
The main IRD conditions are at least 3 years in KiwiSaver and leaving $1,000 in your account. Some applications are made through Kainga Ora, which IRD links to for this withdrawal. Check the full conditions with your KiwiSaver provider before you sign an agreement.
Tips for Maximizing Your First Home Fund
Consider increasing your KiwiSaver contribution rate in the years before buying. A higher rate means more of your salary goes into KiwiSaver, which grows with employer contributions and investment returns. If buying with a partner, each of you may be able to make a first home withdrawal if you each meet the conditions.
More NZ Property Tools
Bright-line Calculator
Check if your property sale is subject to the bright-line tax rule.
Check Bright-lineStudy for Your NZ Real Estate Exam
Free practice questions across 10 NZ real estate study areas.
Practice QuestionsUnderstanding KiwiSaver for Your First Home
KiwiSaver is New Zealand's workplace savings scheme, and for many first home buyers it can be an important source of deposit funds. When you purchase your first home, you can withdraw your KiwiSaver savings except for $1,000 that must stay in the account.
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal
Your withdrawable amount includes your own contributions, your employer's contributions, the government contribution, and interest earned. You must leave $1,000 in the account, and funds transferred from an Australian complying superannuation scheme cannot be withdrawn. To be eligible, you must have been in KiwiSaver for at least 3 years.
Kainga Ora First Home Grant (closed)
The First Home Grant used to add a government payment on top of the KiwiSaver withdrawal. The government discontinued it, and Kainga Ora stopped accepting new applications on 22 May 2024.
Kainga Ora First Home Loan
The First Home Loan was kept when the grant closed. It lets eligible first home buyers borrow with a deposit from 5%. Check the current eligibility criteria with Kainga Ora.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I withdraw from KiwiSaver for a first home?
Is the Kainga Ora First Home Grant still available?
Do the old First Home Grant income caps still matter?
What about the regional house price caps?
How long do I need to be a KiwiSaver member?
Planning to Buy Your First Home in NZ?
Explore our free NZ real estate tools and study resources to prepare for homeownership in New Zealand.
Explore NZ Study ToolsExplore More
LVR Calculator
Calculate your loan-to-value ratio against the RBNZ lending rules
Bright-line Calculator
Check if your property sale is subject to bright-line tax
NZ Real Estate Study
REA licensing study companion for New Zealand
NZ Practice Questions
Practice questions for NZ real estate licensing across 10 study areas