If you’ve been researching first home buyer assistance in New Zealand, you may have encountered references to the First Home Grant, the HomeStart Grant, and the First Home Loan — and found conflicting information about what’s still available.
Here’s a clear, current answer as at April 2026.
The Short Answer
| Scheme | Status (April 2026) |
|---|---|
| First Home Grant (Kāinga Ora, up to $10,000) | ❌ Closed May 2024 |
| HomeStart Grant | ❌ Never a separate NZ scheme — this is an Australian scheme (FHOG). Not applicable in NZ. |
| First Home Loan (5% deposit, Kāinga Ora) | ✅ Active |
| KiwiSaver first home withdrawal | ✅ Active |
What Was the First Home Grant?
The First Home Grant was a Kāinga Ora (Housing New Zealand) scheme that provided eligible first home buyers with a cash grant toward their purchase:
- Existing homes: Up to $5,000 per person ($10,000 for a couple)
- New builds: Up to $10,000 per person ($20,000 for a couple)
- Income and house price caps applied
The First Home Grant was permanently closed on 22 May 2024. No new applications are being accepted. There is no equivalent replacement scheme available as at April 2026.
If you see websites still listing the First Home Grant as available, they are out of date.
What Is the HomeStart Grant?
The HomeStart Grant is an Australian government scheme — specifically the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) administered in various forms by Australian states. It does not exist in New Zealand.
NZ-based search queries for “HomeStart Grant” typically reflect:
- People who have confused Australian and NZ housing schemes
- Outdated references to the First Home Grant by incorrect names
- Cross-Tasman research by people considering purchasing in both countries
There is no “HomeStart Grant” scheme in New Zealand.
What First Home Buyer Assistance Is Available in NZ in 2026?
1. KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal ✅ Active
The most significant source of first home buyer funds for most NZ buyers. After 3 years of KiwiSaver membership, you can withdraw your entire balance minus $1,000 toward a first home purchase.
- No income cap
- No house price cap
- Must be owner-occupied
- Must be first home buyer (or meet second-chance criteria)
See KiwiSaver house deposit guide and first home withdrawal eligibility.
2. First Home Loan ✅ Active
A Kāinga Ora-underwritten mortgage available through participating banks, allowing eligible buyers to purchase with just 5% deposit instead of the standard 20%.
Income caps (April 2026):
- Single buyer: $95,000 gross/year
- Two or more buyers: $150,000 combined gross/year
House price caps vary by region — check kaingaora.govt.nz for current figures.
See the First Home Loan 5% deposit guide.
3. Accessible Housing (Kāinga Ora) ✅ Active (limited)
Kāinga Ora operates shared ownership and affordable housing programmes for eligible households, primarily targeting lower-income buyers. These are separate from the closed First Home Grant.
4. Māori Land and Papakāinga Housing
Specific programmes exist for Māori housing on ancestral land, including Kāinga Ora, Te Puni Kōkiri, and iwi-specific schemes. These operate separately from mainstream first home buyer assistance.
What Changed in May 2024?
The New Zealand government announced the closure of the First Home Grant on 22 May 2024 as part of Budget 2024 savings measures. The stated rationale was that the scheme was not effectively contributing to housing supply and that funds were better directed elsewhere.
The closure affected:
- All new First Home Grant applications from 22 May 2024
- Applications already in progress at the time of closure were processed through
The First Home Loan was retained and remains active.
Does the Loss of the First Home Grant Significantly Affect First Home Buyers?
For the average buyer, the impact was modest. The maximum grant of $10,000 per person ($20,000 for a couple buying a new build) was helpful but relatively small relative to typical NZ deposit requirements.
Example — Auckland first home buyer:
- House price: $800,000
- 10% deposit required by lender: $80,000
- Grant (when active): $5,000 per person
- KiwiSaver withdrawal (5 years contributing at 4%): ~$40,000–$60,000
The KiwiSaver withdrawal dwarfs the grant — which is why the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal remains the primary lever for most buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the First Home Grant still available in 2026? No. It was permanently closed on 22 May 2024. No new applications are accepted.
Will the First Home Grant be reinstated? There has been no announced plan to reinstate it as at April 2026. It would require a policy reversal by the current or a future government.
Is there an Australian HomeStart Grant I can access if I’m a NZ citizen living in Australia? New Zealand citizens living in Australia on a special category visa (SCV) may be eligible for state-based First Home Owner Grant schemes in Australia. Eligibility varies by state. This is separate from any NZ scheme.
Can I still use KiwiSaver for my first home even though the grant is gone? Yes. The KiwiSaver first home withdrawal is entirely separate from the First Home Grant and remains fully operational. For most buyers, it is a far larger source of deposit funds than the grant ever was.
What should I do if I was counting on the First Home Grant? Focus on the KiwiSaver withdrawal and the First Home Loan. Maximising your KiwiSaver contributions and claiming the full member tax credit ($521.43/year) are the most effective ways to build your deposit. See how much to contribute to KiwiSaver and the member tax credit guide.
What to Read Next
- KiwiSaver House Deposit Guide — how much you can withdraw
- First Home Loan 5% Deposit — still active, still powerful
- KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal Guide — full process and rules
- First Home Withdrawal Eligibility — check if you qualify
- Member Tax Credit — Free $521 from the Government — maximise free money
- How Much to Contribute to KiwiSaver — build your deposit faster