First Home Buyer Support in NZ (2026 Guide)
The First Home Grant ended in 2024. Here's what's still available for first-home buyers in New Zealand in 2026 — and how it stacks up against an Affordable Home at Strathmore Park.
The schemes that still exist
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal
Withdraw most of your KiwiSaver balance toward a first-home deposit, leaving a $1,000 minimum. 3+ years of membership required. Home must be your principal place of residence.
First Home Loan (Kāinga Ora-backed)
Lets you buy with as little as 5% deposit. Income caps ($95k single / $150k joint as of 2026) and regional price caps apply. Available through participating lenders.
First Home Partner (shared ownership)
Kāinga Ora takes an equity stake, you pay it back over time. Useful when deposit + serviceability is tight.
How it works at Strathmore Park
Strathmore Park's Affordable Home packages (Stage 1) are capped at $550,000 including GST under the South Waikato District Council mandate. That price point sits well under the Waikato First Home Loan cap, and the 10/40/50 payment structure pairs naturally with a KiwiSaver withdrawal at the deposit stage.
For most first-home buyers, the maths looks like this: 10% deposit comes partly from KiwiSaver, you take a First Home Loan for the remainder, and the 40% and 50% stages line up with progress + settlement. Strathmore Park's Sales Team and your mortgage broker can map this out before you sign anything.
This page is general information, not financial advice. Scheme rules and caps change — always confirm current details at kaingaora.govt.nz before committing.
First Home Buyer Support — FAQ
Is the First Home Grant still available?
No. The First Home Grant was scrapped in May 2024 as part of the National-led government's Budget. Anyone who had applied before the cut-off has been processed under the old rules, but no new applications are being accepted. What's still available: KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal, First Home Loan (where eligible), and Kāinga Ora's First Home Partner / Affordable Home pathways for some buyers.
Can I still withdraw my KiwiSaver to buy a first home?
Yes. The KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal is unchanged and still the primary tool. You can withdraw most of your KiwiSaver balance (keeping a $1,000 minimum) toward a deposit, provided you've been a KiwiSaver member for 3+ years and the property is your principal place of residence. See the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal page for the full eligibility list.
What is the First Home Loan?
First Home Loan is a Kāinga Ora-backed mortgage offered through participating lenders that lets you buy with as little as 5% deposit instead of the usual 20%. Income caps apply ($95,000 single / $150,000 joint as of 2026) and the home price must be under the regional cap. Waikato cap is in the $700,000s — well above Strathmore Park's Affordable Home tier.
Does Strathmore Park qualify under these schemes?
Yes. Affordable Home packages at Strathmore Park (capped at $550,000 incl. GST under the SWDC mandate) sit well under the Waikato First Home Loan cap. Buyers using KiwiSaver + First Home Loan can typically get into an Affordable Home with a smaller deposit than they'd need for a comparable existing-stock house in Hamilton.
Are there Kāinga Ora pathways for shared ownership?
First Home Partner (Kāinga Ora's shared-ownership scheme) is still running. Kāinga Ora takes an equity stake in the home, you pay back their share over time. Eligibility and waitlists vary. Worth investigating if you can't quite cover the full deposit + serviceability for First Home Loan.
Where do I check current eligibility?
Always go to kaingaora.govt.nz for current rules — scheme details and caps update. This page covers the 2026 state of play but specific eligibility is best confirmed directly. Your mortgage broker or solicitor can also walk you through it.
Ready to start your first-home plan?
Register your interest and we'll send the current Strathmore Park sales plan plus pointers to mortgage brokers who know the local market.