All you need to know about KiwiBuild

Launched in 2017, KiwiBuild set out with an ambitious goal of delivering 100,000 affordable homes for first home buyers. Since its inception, the program has encountered challenges and its critics along the way. However, there have been noteworthy positive changes made to the KiwiBuild initiative, which this article aims to cover comprehensively. This article will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about KiwiBuild and its current status. 

What is KiwiBuild

KiwiBuild is a Government program that aims to help first home buyers in New Zealand gain access to more affordable housing opportunities. KiwiBuild works with residential developers to bring more affordable homes to the market faster, and offers high-quality, sustainable homes that meet the needs of first home buyers. KiwiBuild properties are not sold on the open market. Instead, they are sold via a ballot or direct to KiwiBuild eligible purchasers. 

When you have found a KiwiBuild home, you can enter into a sale and purchase agreement with the developer for that home.

Are you Eligible

Not all first home buyers are eligible to take part in the KiwiBuild program. Make sure you meet the criteria:

• be over 18 years old
• be a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or a resident visa holder who is “ordinarily resident in New Zealand”; or 
• be applying with someone who meets the citizenship or residency requirements, and you are married to or in a civil union or de facto partnership with that person 
• be a first home buyer or previous homeowner 
• have a total before tax income from the last 12 months of: 
  -  $120,000 or less for an individual buyer without dependents; or 
  -  $150,000 or less for an individual buyer with one or more dependents; or 
  -  $200,000 or less for two or more buyers, regardless of the number of dependents

In addition to this, you must also:

• Intend to own and live in your KiwiBuild home as your primary place of residence for a Minimum Ownership Period, calculated from the settlement date of your purchase: – at least one year for a studio or one-bedroom home – at least three years for a home with two-bedrooms or more 
• Not have a current legal or beneficial interest in a home in New Zealand or overseas 
• Not be married to, nor in a civil union or de facto relationship with someone who has a current legal or beneficial interest in a home in New Zealand or overseas 
• Not currently have any unregistered interest in a home, including as the beneficiary of a trust

I qualify! Now what? 

Now you know that you qualify to be a KiwiBuild purchaser, you need to apply to KiwiBuild.

What you will need

• Certified copy of your New Zealand birth certificate, citizenship certificate, passport and/or visa status
• Summary of income from the Inland Revenue Department for the previous 12 months 
• Signed copy of the KiwiBuild Statutory Declaration. This must be signed by an authorised person in New Zealand, which can be a Justice of the Peace, a solicitor or notary public, or a Registrar or Deputy Registrar of the District or High Courts.

If you are self employed there are alternate proof of evidence you can submit. 

Once you have the documents all signed you will need to:  

• Create a KiwiBuild account 
• Upload your certified eligibility documents
• Upload your signed statutory declaration
• Submit your application to the KiwiBuild team

It then takes up to 5 working days to process your application.

What Homes are available

Now you are a registered KiwiBuild purchaser, you can start looking for available properties. To keep KiwiBuild homes in more affordable price ranges, price caps are used that set the maximum price all KiwiBuild homes can be sold for. 

In Auckland the current KiwiBuild price caps are:

• Studio or one bedroom - $550,000
• Two Bedroom - $760,000
• Three Bedroom - $860,000

You can visit the KiwiBuild website to see what properties are currently available, and sign up to the KiwiBuild Mailing list so that you receive any new listings that come available.

Next Steps

Once you have found a home you are interested in, get in touch with the developer and they will be able to provide you with more information. 

Neilston Homes currently has 3 Bedroom Terrace homes available in Mt Albert. Visit their website,
👉NeilstonHomes/KiwiBuild, to find out more.

Dunkirk Terraces

• 3 Bedroom homes - $860,000
• KiwiBuild programme availability
• Mt Albert, Auckland

Dunkirk Terraces development has amazing views across the Waitakere Ranges.  The beautifully designed terraced homes feature an open plan design, indoor outdoor flow, and three generously sized bedrooms. Each home has its own carpark and public transport is just a short walk away. Construction is underway, and is estimated to be completed by late 2024 with 6 Homestar rating. 

• Architecturally designed
• Open Plan living
• 3 great sized bedrooms
• Large windows
• Indoor outdoor flow

Get in touch today at www.neilstonhomes.co.nz/kiwibuild