Sooner
A first home
The balance is a deposit, not a retirement pot. The fund, the withdrawal timing, and the mortgage have to line up before you make an offer.
First home lending →
KiwiSaver
Most accounts were opened and left. We look at the fund, the fees, and the contribution rate — for a first home, or for the retirement you actually want.
Two jobs
The same account, a different question
A fund that is sensible for retirement can be the wrong place to park a deposit you need in three years. We start with which one you are actually doing.
Later
Retirement
Set and forget is how most accounts get stuck in the wrong fund. A review checks the mix, the fees, and how much is actually going in.
What we look at →The review
Four things we actually check
Not a product pitch. A look at whether the account you already have still fits.
01
When you need the money
Buying in a few years and retiring in thirty are different jobs. The same fund is rarely right for both.
02
What the fund holds
Cash and bonds move less. Shares and property can fall, and they are also how a long timeline grows. We match the mix to the date, not to a slogan.
03
What it costs to stay there
A small fee gap compounds over a working life. We compare providers on cost as well as on the fund itself.
04
How much is going in
From 1 April 2026 the default is 3.5% from you and 3.5% from your employer. You can choose 4%, 6%, 8%, or 10% — or ask Inland Revenue to stay on 3% for a year if the new rate is a stretch.
Fund types
More growth means more movement
These are the standard fund types, from steadier to more exposed. Where you sit depends on when you need the money, and how you feel when the balance drops. That is a conversation, not a chart.
Defensive
Mostly cash and bonds
Conservative
A small share of growth assets
Balanced
A mix of both
Growth
Mostly shares and property
Aggressive
Almost all growth assets
First home
What you can take out
Your contributions, your employer's, the government contribution, and returns. The home has to be one you intend to live in. Start the withdrawal well before settlement — providers need time to release the money.
3 years
Minimum membership before a first-home withdrawal
$1,000
Stays in the account. Everything else eligible can come out
Closed
The First Home Grant ended on 22 May 2024
Government contribution is currently 25 cents per dollar you put in, up to $260.72 a year, for members aged 16–65 earning $180,000 or less. The full amount needs at least $1,042.86 of your own contributions between 1 July and 30 June. These are public settings — Inland Revenue and your provider apply them to your account.
The process
How a KiwiSaver review works
01
The goal
First home, retirement, or both. We need the date and the balance before a fund makes any sense.
02
The comparison
Fund type, fees, and contribution rate across the providers we can access — then a clear recommendation.
03
The move
You decide. We handle a switch, or the first-home withdrawal paperwork alongside the mortgage.
Get the account looked at
Free, no obligation. Book a time or send the balance and the goal — first home, retirement, or both.
Book a KiwiSaver chat
In-home across Greater Wellington, or online from anywhere in New Zealand. Free, no obligation.
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Send a message
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you choose the right KiwiSaver fund?
- We look at when you need the money, how you feel about the balance moving around, what the fund actually invests in, and what it costs. That is compared across 30+ providers and 200+ funds — not the default your bank opened, and not what a friend is in.
- Can I use KiwiSaver for a first home?
- Usually, yes — if you have been a member for at least three years and the home will be the one you live in. You can withdraw your contributions, your employer's, the government contribution, and investment returns, and you must leave $1,000 in the account. Money transferred from an Australian super scheme stays put. If you have owned a home before, Kāinga Ora can confirm whether you are in a similar financial position to a first-home buyer.
- What happened to the First Home Grant?
- It closed on 22 May 2024 and has not been replaced. The KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal is still available. A Kāinga Ora First Home Loan — a mortgage with a smaller deposit — is a separate question, and that is a lending conversation.
- I already have KiwiSaver with my bank. Is a review worth it?
- Often. A lot of accounts were opened on a default fund and never looked at again. The fund type, the fees, and the contribution rate can all be out of step with a first-home date or a retirement date. A review tells you whether to leave it, or move it.
- Is KiwiSaver advice free?
- Yes. There is no fee from you. We are paid a commission by the KiwiSaver provider when you switch or start a plan based on our recommendation.
Ready to get started?
Our advisers can travel to you for an in-home meeting or arrange a virtual catch up. We're happy to work around your schedule.