Disclaimer:
The information on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always do your own research and seek personalised advice from a qualified financial adviser or mortgage adviser before making financial decisions. All investments carry risk and past performance is not indicative of future results.
Key Takeaways
- Update: KiwiBuild is no longer accepting new development projects, but some existing underwritten or contracted KiwiBuild homes may still be sold to eligible buyers. Treat it as a limited legacy pathway, not a live first-home-buyer scheme.
- The original 100,000-home target was dropped, and official reporting now treats KiwiBuild mainly as remaining underwritten or contracted stock rather than an active build programme.
- Some legacy underwritten or contracted homes may still appear, but current availability and conditions should be checked against official listings.
- Other pathways that may be relevant include the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, where eligible buyers may be able to buy with a 5% deposit, and a KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal if the buyer meets KiwiSaver withdrawal rules.
Launched in 2017, KiwiBuild set out with an ambitious goal of delivering 100,000 affordable homes for first-home buyers. That target was later dropped, and 2024 HUD material says Cabinet agreed to end the KiwiBuild programme and manage legacy underwrites. This article now treats KiwiBuild as a legacy pathway rather than a current step-by-step application guide.
What is KiwiBuild?
KiwiBuild was a Government programme designed to help first-home buyers access more affordable housing through underwritten developments and price settings. Current official material describes the programme being wound down, with Kāinga Ora managing legacy underwrites rather than signing new KiwiBuild underwrites.
Important: KiwiBuild selling rules have changed over time. HUD material on winding down the programme refers to removing buyer restrictions for developers and Kāinga Ora in legacy settings, so check the terms of the specific listing before assuming ballot, direct-sale, price-cap, or eligibility rules apply.
Are You Eligible?
Historic KiwiBuild eligibility settings were not open to all buyers. For any remaining or legacy home, confirm the current listing terms and official eligibility material before relying on historic criteria:
Historic Basic Requirements:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or a resident visa holder who is "ordinarily resident in New Zealand"; or
- Be applying with someone who meets the citizenship or residency requirements, and you are married to or in a civil union or de facto partnership with that person
- Be a first home buyer or previous homeowner
Historic Income Settings:
- Income caps varied by buyer category and source date; check the official current terms for the specific home or listing.
- Do not rely on historic income-cap figures without checking current Kāinga Ora, HUD, developer or listing material.
- If eligibility still applies to a legacy home, confirm the category, evidence and timing requirements before making an offer.
Additional Requirements
KiwiBuild homes historically included primary-residence and minimum occupation requirements, including one year for one-bedroom properties and three years for others. HUD material on winding down KiwiBuild recommended removing minimum occupation periods in legacy settings, so check the conditions attached to the specific home or agreement.
You must not have a current legal or beneficial interest in a home in New Zealand or overseas, and you must not be married to, nor in a civil union or de facto relationship with, someone who has such an interest. Additionally, you must not currently have any unregistered interest in a home, including as the beneficiary of a trust.
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I Qualify! Now What?
If a legacy KiwiBuild or underwritten home is available, check the current official listing and developer instructions before assuming there is a standard KiwiBuild application process.
What You Will Need
Historic KiwiBuild applications required identity, residency, income and declaration documents. Because the programme is being wound down, confirm any current document requirements with the official listing, developer, Kāinga Ora material, your lender and your lawyer before committing.
Historic Application Steps:
- Create a KiwiBuild account
- Upload your certified eligibility documents
- Upload your signed statutory declaration
- Submit your application to the KiwiBuild team
What Homes Are Available?
If any legacy KiwiBuild or underwritten homes are available, check the specific listing terms. Price caps were historically used to set maximum prices by size and location, but official settings changed over time and HUD material on ending the programme refers to removing price caps for homes without presale commitments.
Historic Auckland KiwiBuild Price Caps:
- Price settings varied by size, location, source date and legacy/presale status.
- Check the specific current listing or official material for any applicable price setting.
- Do not rely on historic Auckland price-cap figures as current limits.
Check official Kāinga Ora, HUD, developer or listing material for any remaining legacy availability, and do not rely on historic price-cap or eligibility settings without confirming the current terms.
Next Steps
If you find a legacy or underwritten home that appears suitable, ask the developer or seller for the current terms, then confirm finance, legal conditions, insurance and any programme-specific requirements before signing.
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