Frequently Asked Questions about KiwiBuild Homes

What is KiwiBuild?

KiwiBuild is a Government initiative to help stimulate the supply of quality, affordable homes for New Zealanders who have been locked out of the housing market.

Visit the KiwiBuild website for full information on the scheme.
> KiwiBuild

For more information on what you need to know about KiwiBuild, visit the Settled.co.nz website.
> Settled: 6 Things you need to know about KiwiBuild

How do I buy a KiwiBuild home?

Buying a KiwiBuild home is just like buying a home on the open market except the homes are sold at or below a price cap and they are offered exclusively for sale to pre-qualified, eligible KiwiBuild buyers. You will still need a deposit and to prove to a bank or lending institute that you can afford to repay the mortgage.

The first step is to check if you are eligible. If you are, you can apply online and pre-qualify as a KiwiBuild buyer. The best time to do this is when you have seen a home you like in an area you would like to live in.

Once you’ve successfully completed the pre-qualification stage, you are ready to buy a home.

Unlike in other areas, the KiwiBuild homes is Whangarei are not available for sale by a ballot system – they can only be sold by direct sale.

Find out more about the KiwiBuild buying process on the KiwiBuild website.
> KiwiBuild: How to buy a KiwiBuild home

For more information about buying your first home, including what you need to know before you start looking, visit the Settled.co.nz website
> Settled: How do you fund your first home

Am I eligible to buy a KiwiBuild home?

To achieve the objective of putting home ownership within reach of more New Zealanders, there are specific criteria that must be met to be eligible to buy a KiwiBuild home.

To be eligible, you must:

• be a first-time buyer or a ‘second-chancer’
• have an income of less than $120,000 for a single applicant, or no more than $180,000 for more than one purchaser
• be a New Zealand citizen, a permanent resident or be a resident visa holder who is ordinarily resident in New Zealand
• intend to own and live in the home as your principal place of residence for at least three years.

Visit the ‘Who is eligible’ page on the KiwiBuild website for further information.
> KiwiBuild: Who is eligible?

What is Kotātā Heights?

Kotātā Heights is Whangarei’s newest suburb – just minutes to the city. Within easy reach of all the city’s amenities, this prime residential area is elevated and sunny, with expansive harbour and farmland views.

With high demand for more housing development in Whangarei, Kotātā Heights provides a high quality, centrally located and affordable option for first home buyers.

Find out more about Kotātā Heights on their website.
> Kotātā Heights

Where is Kotātā Heights located?

Kotātā Heights is situated within walking distance of Whangarei’s main shopping precincts and is close to schools, Whangarei Hospital, city bus routes, NorthTec and State Highway One.  Access is off High Street in Morningside.