Am I Eligible to Withdraw KiwiSaver for My First Home?

Not everyone can access their KiwiSaver for a first home purchase. This comprehensive guide explains all eligibility requirements, including membership duration, property rules, previous ownership exceptions, and second-chance buyer criteria. Use our checklist to determine if you qualify.

Last updated: October 2025 | Reading time: 10 minutes

Quick Eligibility Checklist

You must meet ALL of the following requirements:

Been a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years

Never owned a home or land before (or qualify as "second-chance buyer")

Intend to live in the property for at least 6 months

Buying a property in New Zealand

Not currently withdrawing KiwiSaver for hardship or other reasons

If you checked all boxes, you likely qualify! Read below for detailed explanations of each requirement.

Detailed Eligibility Requirements

Minimum 3 Years KiwiSaver Membership

You must have been a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years before you can withdraw funds for your first home.

How the 3-Year Rule Works:

•The 3 years starts from the date you joined KiwiSaver, not when you started contributing
•Contribution holidays don't reset the clock — your membership continues
•Periods of unemployment still count toward your 3 years
•You must have been continuously enrolled (no opt-outs or account closures)

Example:

If you joined KiwiSaver on February 15, 2022, you can apply for a first home withdrawal from February 15, 2025 onwards, even if you took a contributions holiday during that time.

Not Sure When You Joined?

First-Time Buyer Status

You must be a genuine first-time home buyer with no previous property ownership.

You Are NOT Eligible If You:

✗Previously owned a home or land in New Zealand
✗Previously owned a home or land overseas (any country)
✗Currently own a home or land (except Māori land)
✗Already made a KiwiSaver first home withdrawal in the past
✗Inherited property that you currently own

Māori Land Exception:

Owning an interest in Māori land does NOT disqualify you from being a first-time buyer. You can still withdraw your KiwiSaver if you own Māori land but have never owned general freehold property.

Previously Owned but Sold:

If you previously owned a home (in NZ or overseas) but sold it, you generally don't qualify. However, you may be eligible as a "second-chance buyer" — see below.

Property Must Be Your Home

You must genuinely intend to live in the property you're buying for at least 6 months.

Property Requirements:

✓Must be located in New Zealand
✓You must move in and live there for at least 6 months
✓Can be a house, apartment, townhouse, unit, or section (land only)
✓Can be an existing home or new build
✓No price cap on the property

You CANNOT Use KiwiSaver For:

✗Investment properties or rental properties
✗Holiday homes or baches you won't live in full-time
✗Commercial property
✗Property overseas (must be in New Zealand)

What About Buying Land Only?

Yes, you can use KiwiSaver to buy a section (land only), but you must intend to build a home on it and live there. Pure land speculation doesn't qualify.

No Previous KiwiSaver Withdrawal for First Home

You can only use your KiwiSaver for a first home once in your lifetime.

If you've previously withdrawn your KiwiSaver to buy a home, you cannot do it again — even if:

•You sold that property and want to buy another
•The purchase fell through and funds were returned
•You're now buying a more expensive property

Exception:

If your property purchase completely fell through and the withdrawn funds were returned to your KiwiSaver account without ever being used, you may be able to apply again. Contact your provider for guidance.

No Income or Price Caps

Unlike some government schemes, there are NO income limits or house price caps for KiwiSaver first home withdrawals.

This Means:

✓High earners can still withdraw their KiwiSaver
✓You can buy an expensive property without restriction
✓No regional differences in eligibility

Confused with First Home Loan?

Don't confuse KiwiSaver withdrawal with the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan (which DOES have income and price caps). KiwiSaver withdrawal has no such limits.

Second-Chance Buyers: Can I Still Qualify?

If you've previously owned a home but are now in the same financial position as a first-time buyer, you may qualify as a "second-chance buyer."

What is a Second-Chance Buyer?

A second-chance buyer is someone who previously owned property but has since sold it and is now in a similar financial situation to a first-time buyer. This typically applies to people who:

•Lost their home due to relationship breakdown (separation/divorce)
•Sold their home due to financial hardship
•Owned overseas but never in New Zealand
•Inherited a small share of property that was sold

How to Apply as a Second-Chance Buyer

Contact Kāinga Ora First

You cannot apply directly to your KiwiSaver provider. You must first get approval from Kāinga Ora.

Provide Evidence

Submit documentation proving you're in the same financial position as a first-time buyer (e.g., separation agreement, financial hardship evidence).

Get Kāinga Ora Approval Letter

If approved, Kāinga Ora will provide a letter confirming your second-chance buyer status.

Apply to Your KiwiSaver Provider

Submit the Kāinga Ora approval letter along with your first home withdrawal application to your KiwiSaver provider.

Contact Details:

Email: firsthome.withdrawal@kaingaora.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 549 472 (Inland Revenue KiwiSaver line)

Common Eligibility Questions

Can I withdraw KiwiSaver if I'm self-employed?

Yes, self-employed people can withdraw their KiwiSaver for their first home. The same eligibility rules apply, and you need 3 years of membership (not necessarily 3 years of contributions).

What if I'm buying with a partner who already owns a home?

You can still withdraw your KiwiSaver funds if YOU meet the eligibility requirements, even if your partner already owns property. However, your partner cannot withdraw their KiwiSaver if they've previously owned a home.

Can I withdraw if I'm on a contributions holiday?

Yes, being on a contributions holiday does not affect your eligibility. As long as you've been a member for 3 years and meet other requirements, you can withdraw.

What if I owned property with an ex-partner?

If you jointly owned property with a former partner, you're not automatically eligible. You'll need to apply as a second-chance buyer through Kāinga Ora and prove you're in the same financial position as a first-time buyer.

Does owning shares in a property investment company disqualify me?

Owning shares in a company that owns property is different from directly owning property. Generally, this doesn't disqualify you, but check with your KiwiSaver provider to be certain.

Can I withdraw if I'm a permanent resident but not a citizen?

Yes, permanent residents can withdraw KiwiSaver for their first home. Citizenship is not a requirement — only KiwiSaver membership duration and first-time buyer status matter.

What If I Don't Qualify?

If you don't meet the eligibility requirements for a first home withdrawal, you still have options:

Wait Until Retirement

At age 65, you can withdraw your entire KiwiSaver balance for any purpose, including buying property or funding retirement.

Hardship Withdrawal

If you're facing significant financial hardship, you may qualify for an early withdrawal. This is assessed case-by-case by your provider.

Permanent Emigration

If you permanently move to another country (except Australia), you can withdraw your KiwiSaver after 1 year overseas.

Serious Illness

If you have a serious illness that significantly affects your ability to work or life expectancy, you may qualify for early withdrawal.

Think You're Eligible? Start Planning Your First Home Purchase

If you meet the eligibility requirements, learn how to withdraw your KiwiSaver and maximize your deposit.

Learn How to Withdraw Calculate Your Withdrawal Amount