Feature article
Who gets what? A simple guide to the Property (Relationships) Act
A clear, plain-English guide to the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.
5 November 2025
AI summary
New Zealand's Property (Relationships) Act 1976 governs how assets are divided when a marriage, civil union, or de facto relationship ends, typically after three years.
The default rule is a 50/50 split of all relationship property. This includes the family home, shared assets, and KiwiSaver contributions made during the relationship. Separate property can become shared if it gets intermingled.
Couples can create a contracting out agreement to define their own terms. Strict time limits apply for claims.
What is the Property (Relationships) Act?
Who does the property relationships act apply to?
What is a de facto couple?
What counts as “relationship property”?
What is not “relationship property”?
When separate property becomes shared (a.k.a. “intermingling”)
Is everything split 50/50?
Relationship property agreements (a.k.a. “prenups”)
What happens when you separate
Where to get help
Property (Relationships) Act - FAQs
How long before equal sharing applies in a de facto relationship?
Can we opt out of the 50/50 rules?
Does everything always get split in half?
Do KiwiSaver balances get split?
Is a house bought before marriage relationship property?
Author
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