Helping everyday Kiwis into their first home
Kiwi First Home Buyers is New Zealand’s largest community built for one purpose — helping first home buyers understand the journey, get properly prepared, and get into their first home with confidence.
- 150,000+ community members
- 20+ yrs mortgage advice experience
- Free advice, always
Photo: first home buyers outside their new home
Jamie A., first-time buyer
Getting started
Not sure where to begin? We’ve laid out the whole path — from tidying up your finances, through understanding your deposit, to getting the right advice lined up. Wherever you’re starting from, there’s a next step.
Key things you must know
A handful of things trip up almost every first home buyer. Get your head around these early, and you’re already ahead.
Your deposit
Most first home buyers need a minimum of 5% — made up of KiwiSaver, savings, or a gift from family.
Your income & debts
Banks look closely at what you earn and what you owe. Existing debts reduce what you can borrow.
Your credit history
How you’ve managed accounts and credit in the past affects what lenders are willing to offer you.
Bank vs. adviser
Your bank can only offer their own products. A good adviser can compare across the whole market.
Loan structure
How your loan is structured affects how quickly you can pay it off, and how much interest you pay.
Life after settlement
Moving in is just the start — keeping on top of your mortgage and finances matters just as much.
The Complete Guide to Buying Your First Home
15 modules covering the whole journey, from deciding if you’re ready through to settling in.
The First Home Buyers Guide
Let’s make it as easy as pie — simple, practical advice to get you started, no overwhelm.
Quick Assessment
Find out roughly what you could borrow in about 2 minutes — no full application needed.
Advice is critical — and it's free
A good mortgage adviser does far more than arrange your home loan. They help you prepare, avoid costly mistakes, and understand options you’d never see by going straight to a bank.
It’s one of the reasons we set up the Kiwi First Home Buyers Group as a forum in the first place — and it’s why most first home buyers now choose to use a mortgage adviser instead of going direct to the bank.
Photo: adviser and first home buyers in a planning meeting
Introducing the best mortgage advisers
In most cases, mortgage advisers offer their advice for free, and can arrange your home loan at no charge to you. But that doesn’t mean any adviser will do. Always use one of the best — and one who specialises in helping first home buyers, specifically.
What our community says
★★★★★
I never thought I could own a home, but with their guidance, it became a reality. Their team was supportive every step of the way.
★★★★★
I appreciated the quick responses and resources they provided. I felt like I knew what I was doing thanks to their help.
★★★★★
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Join the Kiwi First Home Buyers Group
Our free Facebook group is where 150,000+ Kiwis ask questions, share their journey, and get support from people who’ve been exactly where you are.
members and growing
Kiwi First Home Buyers
New Zealand’s largest first home buyer community, started as a small Facebook group by Mortgage Managers. 150,000+ members and growing.
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