Home Start Grant NZ: abolished May 2024
The HomeStart Grant — renamed the First Home Grant in 2019 — was abolished in the May 2024 Budget. Applications closed 22 May 2024. The KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal is unchanged and remains available.
Last updated: 6 May 2026
General Information Only: This page provides factual data for comparison purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Individual circumstances vary.Read our disclosure
If you landed here looking to apply
The grant is no longer accepting applications. The two tools still available to first-home buyers are:
- KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal — withdraw your own KiwiSaver contributions for a deposit (still active).
- Kāinga Ora First Home Loan — low-deposit underwritten mortgage (still active, separate scheme, was not abolished).
What was the Home Start Grant?
Introduced in 2015, the HomeStart Grant gave eligible first-home buyers up to $5,000 (existing home) or $10,000 (newly built home) provided they had contributed to KiwiSaver for at least 3 years and met income and house-price caps.
In 2019, the grant was renamed the First Home Grant as part of a broader package, but the structure stayed largely the same: 3-year contribution rule, income caps, regional house-price caps. Up to $20,000 was available per couple buying a new build.
The grant was paid by Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing New Zealand) on top of any KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal — they were two distinct mechanisms.
Timeline of what changed
2015
HomeStart Grant introduced. Replaced the earlier KiwiSaver Deposit Subsidy.
2019
Renamed the First Home Grant. Same structure, refreshed branding.
2023
House-price caps removed from the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal (the withdrawal, not the grant). Grant caps remained until abolition.
May 2024
Budget 2024 abolished the First Home Grant. Applications closed 22 May 2024. Funding (~$245M over four years) redirected to social-housing supply.
2024–present
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal continues unchanged. Kāinga Ora First Home Loan continues. No replacement grant introduced.
What's still available for first-home buyers
KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal
Withdraw your member + employer contributions and investment returns. Leave at least $1,000 behind. No price cap. Eligible after 3 years of contributions if you've never owned property.
Read the withdrawal guide →Kāinga Ora First Home Loan
Underwritten by Kāinga Ora with a participating lender. Lets you buy with as little as a 5% deposit. Income and house-price caps apply. Separate scheme — was not abolished.
Kāinga Ora info →Second-chance status
If you've owned property before but Kāinga Ora deems your financial position equivalent to a first-home buyer, you may still qualify for the KiwiSaver withdrawal.
Read eligibility rules →Compare KiwiSaver providers
If you have time before buying, compare provider fees and fund options — fee differences compound and matter for deposit-saving timelines.
Compare providers →Frequently asked questions
Is the HomeStart Grant still available?
No. The HomeStart Grant was renamed the First Home Grant in 2019 and was abolished in the May 2024 Budget. Applications closed on 22 May 2024. No new applications are being accepted.
Why was the First Home Grant abolished?
The May 2024 Budget redirected the funding (~$245M over four years) to social-housing supply. The Government's stated rationale was that the grant had limited impact on home ownership relative to the funding it consumed and that supply-side measures were higher leverage.
What replaced the First Home Grant?
Nothing replaced the grant directly. The KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal — which lets you withdraw your own KiwiSaver contributions for a first-home deposit — was unchanged and remains the main first-home support tool. There is also no longer a property price cap on the KiwiSaver withdrawal (caps were removed in 2023).
I applied before 22 May 2024 — does my application still count?
Yes. Applications submitted before the cutoff are still being processed under the existing rules. Kāinga Ora is honouring eligible applications received before that date. Contact Kāinga Ora directly for application status.
Was I about to qualify when it was abolished?
If you had not yet submitted a complete application by 22 May 2024 you are not eligible. The 3-year-contribution rule for the grant required completed contributions before the application — partial qualifying time does not roll over because the scheme no longer exists.
What is the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal?
A separate, still-active mechanism that lets eligible KiwiSaver members withdraw their member contributions, employer contributions, and investment returns for a first-home purchase, leaving at least $1,000 behind. It was unaffected by the May 2024 abolition. See our First Home hub for the eligibility, amounts, and process.
Can I still get help with my deposit?
Yes — through KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal (your own savings) and the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan scheme (a low-deposit underwritten mortgage, still active as of 2026). The First Home Loan is a different scheme and was not abolished.
Sources
- The Treasury — Budget 2024 documents
- Kāinga Ora — First Home Grant page (legacy)
- Inland Revenue (IRD) — Withdraw KiwiSaver for first home
- Kāinga Ora — First Home Loan
Need Personalised Guidance?
This website provides general information only. Choosing a KiwiSaver fund depends on your individual circumstances, financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment timeframe.
If you need advice tailored to your personal situation, please consult a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Find advisers at fma.govt.nz
Important Information
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. FundCompare.co.nz is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider (FAP).
We do not assess suitability, make recommendations, or provide personalised advice. The information shown is sourced from publicly available data and may not reflect current offerings. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Investment returns can be negative, and you may receive back less than you invested.
Before making any decisions: Always verify current information directly with the relevant KiwiSaver provider and read their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Need personalised advice? Consult a licensed Financial Advice Provider. Find advisers at fma.govt.nz