What is the First Home Loan?

First home buyers (FHBs) have got it tough. Despite a softening market, house prices remain sky-high. And, as inflation bites and interest rates rise, the era of cheap mortgages is over.

But all is not lost. There is some assistance available to FHBs. And one option is the First Home Loan from Kāinga Ora. So what is it? Canstar guides you through:

What is the First Home Loan

The First Home Loan is a financial support program offered by Kāinga Ora. Most lenders currently require a minimum 20% deposit for a home. But with a First Home Loan you only need a 5% deposit. This is because Kāinga Ora underwrites the loan, allowing lenders to provide loans that would otherwise sit outside their lending standards.

Up until recently, the First Home Loan was only available for houses priced under strict regional price caps. However, in this year’s Budget the price caps were removed. So, with a First Home Loan, now it’s even easier to secure a loan for a home with a deposit of just 5%.

Can anyone get the First Home Loan?

No, to be eligible for the First Home Loan you must meet strict criteria. So it’s not for everyone. Below is an overview of the key requirements:

• Income cap – a maximum yearly income of up to $95,000 (before tax) for one person. Or a combined maximum yearly income of up to $150,000 (before tax) for two or more applicants
• Minimum deposit – a minimum 5% of the purchase price of the house you want to buy
• You must live in the home you buy – a First Home Loan cannot be used to buy an investment or rental property
• You need to pay Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) – this LMI premium is 0.5% of the loan amount, and is usually added onto your mortgage
• First home buyers only – or you can be a previous homeowner who is in a similar financial position to a typical first home buyer
• You must be an NZ citizen – or permanent New Zealand resident or a resident visa holder who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand

You can get more details from the Kāinga Ora website here.

Is the First Home Loan the same thing as the First Home Grant?

No. They are both offered through Kāinga Ora but they are not the same thing, although they can be used together.

The First Home grant is available to FHBs who have been contributing at least the minimum amount to KiwiSaver for three years or more. It providers eligible FHBs with:

• a grant of up to $5000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for two or more eligible buyers to put towards the purchase of an existing/older home
• a grant of up to $10,000 for individuals and up to $20,000 for two or more eligible buyers to help with the costs of purchasing a brand new home

You receive $1000 for each year you have been a KiwiSaver member, up to a total of five years. This means you could get $3000, $4000, or $5000 to put towards a deposit. If you’re buying a new build the grant doubles to $2000 per year.

Note: regional price caps still apply for homes available to purchase under the First Home Grant scheme. However, some of the caps were raised in the 2022 Budget. You can get more details from the Kāinga Ora website here.

Compare KiwiSaver

The First Home Grant isn’t all KiwiSaver can offer. While it may be a retirement fund, KiwiSaver is increasingly popular as a first home deposit scheme. How you plan on using your KiwiSaver could impact the kind of fund you need. After all, different KiwiSaver funds suit different people. If you’re looking for a first home, are you in the right fund for your needs?

Additionally, KiwiSaver providers charge fees for their services, and some charge more than others. Plus, your KiwiSaver funds get invested into a range of shares. How does your return on investment compare with other providers?

At Canstar we compare a range of KiwiSaver funds and award the best providers accordingly. If you want to know more, or want to see how your KiwiSaver fund stacks up, click the button below:

Compare KiwiSaver providers

What other options do I have?

There are a number of loans and incentives designed for first home buyers, such as First Home Partner, Squirrel Launchpad, Housing Association Support, and LVR exemptions on new builds. Check out some of our other articles to learn more.

Recommended articles:

What to do if You Have Less Than a 20% Deposit
Best Home Loans For First Home Buyers
Can I Use KiwiSaver to Buy Land or a First Home?

Looking for a home loan?

If you’re currently considering a home loan, the table below displays some of the 2-year fixed-rate home loans on our database (some may have links to lenders’ websites) that are available for first home buyers. This table is sorted by Star Rating (highest to lowest), followed by company name (alphabetical). Products shown are principal and interest home loans available for a loan amount of $500K in Auckland. Before committing to a particular home loan product, check upfront with your lender and read the applicable loan documentation to confirm whether the terms of the loan meet your needs and repayment capacity. Use Canstar’s home loan selector to view a wider range of home loan products. Canstar may earn a fee for referrals.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Andrew Broadley. Andrew is an experienced writer with a wide range of industry experience. Starting out, he cut his teeth working as a writer for print and online magazines, and he has worked in both journalism and editorial roles. His content has covered lifestyle and culture, marketing and, more recently, finance for Canstar.