Whether you're buying solo, with a partner, or with family support — we've mapped every path to your first home in 2026. See exactly where you fit and how to start.
Every first home buyer's situation is different. Here's a quick look at the most common paths in 2026.
Every situation is different. Find the one that fits yours — or come talk to us and we'll map it out together.
Buying your first home solo is a massive achievement. In 2026, the gap between renting and buying has narrowed, making it more achievable for individuals.
Two incomes are better than one, but combined debt can also be a hurdle. The good news? Together you can often bypass government grant price caps and access better properties.
The "Bank of Mum and Dad" is a 2026 staple. You don't necessarily need your parents to give you cash — their home equity could be enough.
Kainga Ora offers two primary leg-ups for those who qualify. These can be combined with your own savings and KiwiSaver to get you over the line.
Most first home buyers combine multiple sources. Here are the three main building blocks.
Cash you've saved in a bank account. The foundation of your deposit. Even small amounts count when combined with other sources.
After 3+ years as a member, you can withdraw most of your KiwiSaver balance for your first home. Both partners can withdraw theirs.
Government schemes (First Home Loan, First Home Partner) or family support via guarantor loans or gifted deposits can bridge the gap.
While 20% is the "gold standard," most first-home buyers can enter the market with 5% to 10% using Kainga Ora schemes or low-equity bank products. We'll map which option fits your situation.
Yes. You and your partner can both withdraw your KiwiSaver (provided you've been members for 3+ years) to combine into one deposit. This is one of the most powerful tools for first home buyers.
As of 2026, the limit is generally $95,000 for a single buyer and $150,000 for two or more buyers. These caps can change, so it's worth checking with us for the latest numbers.
A bank "no" isn't always final. We specialise in finding the path the bank didn't tell you about — whether that's restructuring debt, using a different scheme, or exploring guarantor options. We call it "The Hard Yes."
Absolutely. Buying with a friend, sibling, or any trusted person is increasingly common. The key is proper legal structure — ownership agreements, exit terms, and clear responsibilities. We help set all of that up through our Pair-Up programme.
From first conversation to pre-approval can be as quick as 2-4 weeks. From pre-approval to keys in hand depends on finding the right property, but typically 2-4 months. We map the whole timeline for you upfront.
Our mortgage experts specialise in "The Hard Yes." Even if the bank said no, we look at every scenario to find the path they didn't tell you about. Get your free home-ready assessment.