Buying your first place is a big step, and in New Zealand the numbers can be intimidating. Standard bank rules often expect a 20% deposit before they will even look at your application. On a $700,000 home, that’s $140,000 you would need to save.
The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan exists so that more New Zealanders can get into their first home sooner. With government backing, approved lenders can accept a deposit as low as 5%, turning the idea of a kāinga ora first home from a wish into a realistic plan.
This guide walks through how the loan works, who qualifies, how to use tools like mortgage calculators and KiwiSaver, and where to get help. If you’re wondering whether homeownership is possible for you in 2026, you’re in the right place.
Do you wish there were a way to buy your first home without saving the traditional 20% deposit?
“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”
— Warren Buffett