Buying guide

Low deposit home loans: how to buy your first home sooner

Got less than 20%? No worries.

Ben Tutty
Last updated: 8 March 2025 | 5 min read
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Buying your first home with less than a 20% deposit is possible, though it may involve higher long-term costs. Seeking advice from a mortgage broker is a recommended first step to explore your options.

Key pathways include:

- The First Home Loan scheme, backed by Kāinga Ora, for eligible buyers with a 5% deposit.

- KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal.

- Financial help from family, either as a gift or by acting as a guarantor.

These strategies can help you buy sooner.

Get advice right away

Buying with a small deposit is possible – but there are drawbacks

There's help available if you're sturggling to save a deposit.

Getting a little help from the government

First home loan scheme - 5% deposit loans

Kiwisaver withdrawal

Rent to own schemes

State house purchasing

Saving for a house in NZ isn't easy/.

Getting help from family and friends

Author

Ben Tutty Ben Tutty
Content Writer