Increases to Income and Price Thresholds for First Home Grant

Since 1 April 2021, more New Zealanders can qualify for government assistance to buy their first home.  Income thresholds for singles applying for the First Home Grant have increased from $85,000 pa to $95,000 pa as well as an increase for a couple’s combined income from$130,000 pa to $150,000 pa.

Similarly, the price thresholds for both new homes and existing homes in many areas of the country have also been increased.  With the rapid rise in house prices leaving the scheme’s original house price caps desperately out of kilter from the real-time housing market, first home buyers have suffered.  Some had to rely on parents for additional funding or others have been completely priced out of their local housing market where prices had risen well above the threshold for government assistance.

The increases vary between regions and differ depending on whether you are looking to buy a new or existing home.  There is a full list of the changes to the house price thresholds in your region here.  With more people now being eligible to apply for the First Home Grant to subsidise the purchase of their first home, we hope that more Kiwis will get the assistance they need to help get them on the property ladder.