Read Time: 2-3 minutes
Sally had already owned a home before — with her ex.
Now she and her new partner Mike were ready to settle down.
But the question was:
Could she still use her KiwiSaver?
Without clarity on KiwiSaver eligibility, many buyers stall or miss out.
Sally was ready to buy again, but without being able to access her KiwiSaver, she risked:
Most people believe KiwiSaver can only be used once to buy your first home.
And if you’ve owned before, the door slams shut.
But there’s a path most don’t know about:
The Second Chance Withdrawal.
It’s designed for people like Sally, who previously owned property but no longer do — and didn’t use their KiwiSaver the first time.
Here’s where it gets tricky:
Kainga Ora doesn’t just assess you—they assess you and your partner together.
Get this wrong, and you’ll be declined.
Here’s how we helped Sally and Mike unlock her KiwiSaver funds:
1. Contacted KiwiSaver to ask for a second chance withdrawal assessment:
Email: firsthome.withdrawal@kaingaora.govt.nz.
Form to Complete: Get your application started.
2. Verified they met the asset cap—as a couple. (This is critical!)
Refer to the Table at the Bottom: KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal :: Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.
Auckland Example: Sally and Mike were purchasing in Auckland. This meant the total purchase price for their home needed to be under $875,000 and their asset cap at assessment needed to be below $175,000
3. Got pre-approved with the bank by knowing Sally’s KiwiSaver funds would be available.
4. Used KiwiSaver at settlement, helping them secure the home they wanted.
They’re now homeowners again.
