KiwiBuild Calculator
Check your eligibility for New Zealand's KiwiBuild programme. Income caps: $120,000 for single buyers, $180,000 for couples. Price caps from $500,000 to $700,000 depending on your region. Includes First Home Grant and KiwiSaver stacking, off-the-plan timeline, and 5-year stand-down impact. All figures in NZD.
$ NZD
$ NZD
%
%
KiwiBuild Eligibility
Eligible
Income NZ$140,000 ≤ cap NZ$180,000 | Price NZ$680,000 ≤ cap NZ$700,000
Deposit (10.0%)
NZ$68,000
Loan Amount
NZ$612,000
Monthly Mortgage
NZ$3,868/mo
Income Cap
NZ$180,000
Regional Price Cap
NZ$700,000
Stand-Down Period
5 years
Advanced
Advanced Analysis
Price caps by location, income eligibility verification, stand-down period calculator
KiwiBuild price caps vary by region. Properties must be new builds or substantially renovated. The program targets affordable housing relative to local markets.
| Region | Price Cap | Market Type | 10% Deposit | Monthly (6.5%, 30yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland ◀ selected | NZ$700,000 | Metro / High-demand | NZ$70,000 | NZ$3,982/mo |
| Queenstown-Lakes | NZ$700,000 | Metro / High-demand | NZ$70,000 | NZ$3,982/mo |
| Wellington / Lower Hutt | NZ$650,000 | Metro / High-demand | NZ$65,000 | NZ$3,698/mo |
| Tauranga | NZ$650,000 | Metro / High-demand | NZ$65,000 | NZ$3,698/mo |
| Hamilton / Waikato | NZ$600,000 | Regional | NZ$60,000 | NZ$3,413/mo |
| Christchurch | NZ$600,000 | Regional | NZ$60,000 | NZ$3,413/mo |
| Dunedin | NZ$550,000 | Regional | NZ$55,000 | NZ$3,129/mo |
| Other regions | NZ$500,000 | Regional | NZ$50,000 | NZ$2,844/mo |
Pro
Pro Analysis
First home scheme stacking, off-the-plan cash flow, deposit and settlement timing
$ NZD
$ NZD
KiwiBuild can be combined with other first home buyer schemes. This "stacking" can significantly reduce your required cash deposit.
| Scheme | Amount Available | Conditions | Compatible with KiwiBuild |
|---|---|---|---|
| KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal | NZ$40,000 | 3+ years contributions; $1,000 stays in KiwiSaver | Yes |
| First Home Grant (new build) | NZ$10,000 | Up to $10,000/person; income and price caps apply; 3yr KiwiSaver | Yes |
| KiwiSaver HomeStart (First Home Loan) | 5% deposit only | Kainga Ora guarantee; income cap $95K-$150K; separate scheme | Separate scheme — not typically combined |
| Welcome Home Loan / First Home Loan | 5% min deposit | Kainga Ora guaranteed 95% LVR loan | Can stack with KiwiSaver withdrawal and First Home Grant |
Your Cash Deposit
NZ$68,000
10.0% of purchase price
KiwiSaver Withdrawal
NZ$40,000
Added to your deposit
First Home Grant
NZ$10,000
Grant from Kāinga Ora
Total Effective Deposit
NZ$118,000
17.4% of purchase price
Loan After Stacking
NZ$562,000
Reduced loan amount
Monthly After Stacking
NZ$3,552/mo
Saving NZ$316/mo
How to Use This KiwiBuild Calculator
Select your household type (single or couple/family), choose your location, enter your gross household income, and set the property price to check your KiwiBuild eligibility instantly. The calculator also shows your estimated monthly mortgage payment, deposit required, and how to combine KiwiBuild with other first home buyer schemes.
KiwiBuild Eligibility Requirements
- Income cap: Single buyers $120,000 gross; couples and families $180,000 combined gross
- First home buyer: Must not currently or previously own a home (applies to all applicants)
- Citizenship: New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or certain visa holders
- Intended use: Must intend to live in the property — not for investment or renting
- Price cap: Property must be within the regional price cap ($500,000 to $700,000 depending on location)
- Stand-down: Cannot resell on the open market for 5 years from settlement
The Formula
Income Eligibility: Gross Household Income ≤ $120,000 (single) or $180,000 (couple/family)
Price Eligibility: Purchase Price ≤ Regional Price Cap
Deposit Required: Purchase Price × Minimum Deposit % (typically 10%)
Loan Amount = Purchase Price − Deposit − KiwiSaver Withdrawal − First Home Grant
Monthly Payment = Loan Amount × (r(1+r)⊃n) / ((1+r)⊃n − 1)
where r = monthly interest rate, n = total months
Example: $680,000 KiwiBuild, 10% deposit ($68,000), 6.5% rate, 30 years.
Loan = $612,000. Monthly = $3,870 NZD.
Price Eligibility: Purchase Price ≤ Regional Price Cap
Deposit Required: Purchase Price × Minimum Deposit % (typically 10%)
Loan Amount = Purchase Price − Deposit − KiwiSaver Withdrawal − First Home Grant
Monthly Payment = Loan Amount × (r(1+r)⊃n) / ((1+r)⊃n − 1)
where r = monthly interest rate, n = total months
Example: $680,000 KiwiBuild, 10% deposit ($68,000), 6.5% rate, 30 years.
Loan = $612,000. Monthly = $3,870 NZD.
Example
Sam and Alex Buying Their First KiwiBuild Home in South Auckland
Sam earns $95,000 and Alex earns $75,000 combined ($170,000). They are buying a new 3-bedroom townhouse in South Auckland for $660,000. They have been contributing to KiwiSaver for 4 years.
| Household Income | $170,000 (under $180K cap) |
| Region | Auckland (cap: $700,000) |
| Property Price | $660,000 |
| Eligibility Check | Income: Pass | Price: Pass |
| Minimum Deposit (10%) | $66,000 |
| KiwiSaver Withdrawal (combined) | $52,000 |
| First Home Grant (new build x2) | $20,000 |
| Effective Total Deposit | $138,000 (20.9%) |
| Loan Amount | $522,000 |
| Monthly (6.5%, 30yr) | $3,300/mo NZD |
| Stand-Down Period | 5 years from settlement |
Frequently Asked Questions
Single buyers must have a gross annual income of no more than $120,000. Couples and families must have a combined gross annual income of no more than $180,000. The income is tested at the time of purchase. If one partner earns $130,000 and the other $40,000, the combined $170,000 is under the $180,000 cap and the couple qualifies. Income is tested against your most recent tax return or payslips.
KiwiBuild owners must live in the property for 5 years before they can sell on the open market (this was extended from 3 years in 2023). If you need to sell within the first 5 years, you must first offer the property back to Kāinga Ora at the original purchase price plus a CPI adjustment. You cannot profit from capital gains during the stand-down period, which is a significant limitation compared to purchasing on the open market.
Yes. KiwiBuild is compatible with a KiwiSaver first home withdrawal and the First Home Grant. As KiwiBuild properties are new builds, the First Home Grant is $10,000 per eligible person (so $20,000 for an eligible couple). Combined with a KiwiSaver withdrawal, this can significantly boost your deposit. The First Home Loan (Welcome Home Loan) is a separate scheme and is not typically combined with KiwiBuild directly.
KiwiBuild price caps set the maximum purchase price for properties in the program by region. Auckland and Queenstown-Lakes have the highest caps at $700,000. Wellington and Tauranga are capped at $650,000. Other major centres like Hamilton and Christchurch are around $600,000, while smaller regional areas have lower caps of $500,000. These caps are reviewed periodically and have been adjusted to reflect market conditions. Properties purchased through KiwiBuild must be within these caps.
KiwiBuild properties are new builds developed specifically for the program. They are typically townhouses, terraced houses, and apartments built in medium-to-high-density developments across New Zealand. Some are available to purchase from plans before construction (off-the-plan), while others are completed and ready to move in. Properties must meet the KiwiBuild design and quality standards set by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.