Changes made to the First Home Partner scheme

Launched in October 2021, First Home Partner is part of the Government’s wider Progressive Home Ownership Fund(external link). It enables eligible individuals and whānau to co-purchase a home together with Kāinga Ora, to help overcome the deposit barrier.

The key changes include:

• All eligible applicants can purchase existing homes, in addition to new builds, through the scheme. This is intended to provide buyers with a greater choice of homes.
• The household income cap has increased from $130,000 to $150,000.
• The income cap criteria for intergenerational whānau has broadened to include larger whānau, allowing any eligible whānau of at least six people who normally live together to purchase a home through First Home Partner.

The changes are expected to take effect from Monday, 14 August.

First Home Partner is one of many home ownership products and programmes available through Kāinga Ora. Further details about the changes can be found on the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development website(external link).

Read more about First Home Partner.