Farewell to the Kāinga Ora First Home Grant – Hello Better Ways to Buy Your First Home
Date: 17 Oct 2025
If you’ve been exploring your options as a first home buyer in New Zealand, you’ve probably come across the Kāinga Ora First Home Grant. It used to offer up to $10,000 to help eligible buyers get into their first home. But as of 22 May 2024, Kāinga Ora officially discontinued the First Home Grant.
The good news? You probably don’t need it anymore.
While it sounds like a loss, the reality is there are now better, more flexible ways to get into your first home — without relying on the grant.
Here’s what’s still working in your favour:
• Kāinga Ora First Home Loans are still going strong. Backed by Kāinga Ora, these loans let eligible buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit — making homeownership far more achievable for first-time buyers.
• Banks continue to offer competitive rates, flexible lending options and cashback offers for first home buyers, even without the grant.
• The KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal remains a powerful tool. You can still use your KiwiSaver savings towards your home deposit, making it one of the most effective ways to boost your buying power.
What does this mean for first home buyers?
The end of the First Home Grant doesn’t mean the end of your homeownership journey — far from it. In fact, today’s lending environment can offer more personalised, flexible options than ever before. The key is knowing which ones you qualify for, and how to structure your application to make the most of them.
Our advice
Don’t let headlines about the grant’s end hold you back. The path to homeownership in New Zealand is still wide open — and with the right advice, it could be even smoother than before.
At Nest Home Loans, we specialise in helping first home buyers navigate the process with confidence.
We’ll help you:
✅ Understand your options under the current Kāinga Ora First Home Loan scheme
✅ Assess your eligibility for low-deposit home loans
✅ Secure the best deal for your first home
Ready to buy your first home?
Let’s make it happen.
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