KiwiSaver is mostly locked in until you're 65. Two of the ways to get money out early are a significant financial hardship withdrawal and a first home withdrawal. They have different rules, and they let you take out different things.
The two side by side
| Hardship withdrawal | First home withdrawal | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Members in significant financial hardship | First home buyers who have been in KiwiSaver at least 3 years |
| Your own contributions | Yes | Yes |
| Employer contributions | Yes | Yes |
| Government contributions | Not on Inland Revenue's list | Yes |
| Interest earned | Not on Inland Revenue's list | Yes |
| Limits | Trustees can cap it at what's needed to ease the hardship | $1,000 must stay in, plus any money transferred from an Australian scheme |
| Where to apply | Your KiwiSaver provider | Your KiwiSaver provider |
Hardship withdrawals
What counts as significant financial hardship
Inland Revenue lists these situations. You:
- cannot meet minimum living expenses
- cannot pay the mortgage on the home you live in, and your mortgage provider is seeking to enforce the mortgage
- need to modify your home to meet your special needs, or those of a dependent family member
- need to pay for medical treatment for yourself or a dependent family member
- have a serious illness
- need to pay funeral costs of a dependent family member
- need palliative care, for yourself or a dependant
What you can take out
Inland Revenue says you may be able to withdraw some or all of your contributions and your employer's contributions. Government contributions aren't on that list. The amount can be capped, too: under the KiwiSaver scheme rules, the trustees can limit it to what they think you need to ease the hardship.
How to apply
- Contact your KiwiSaver provider for their hardship form.
- Give them evidence of your hardship.
- Complete a statutory declaration covering your assets and debts. The scheme rules require one.
The trustees have to be reasonably satisfied that you've looked at other reasonable ways to get the money and that those are used up.
There's one exception to applying through your provider. If you're within the first 2 months of your KiwiSaver membership, you apply to Inland Revenue instead.
First home withdrawals
Who can use it
- You've been in KiwiSaver for at least 3 years.
- You're buying your first home.
- You intend to live in it. Kāinga Ora says it can't be used to buy an investment property.
If you've owned a home or land before, you may still qualify. Kāinga Ora first works out whether you're in the same financial position as a first home buyer. If you are, it gives you a letter to pass on to your KiwiSaver provider with your application.
What you can take out
Inland Revenue lists:
- your contributions
- your employer's contributions
- the government contribution
- interest you've earned
- fee subsidies, if you got these
You must leave $1,000 in your account. Money transferred from an Australian complying superannuation scheme can't be withdrawn.
How to apply
Apply through your KiwiSaver provider. First home buyers don't apply through Kāinga Ora, which only gets involved if you've owned a home or land before. You can download a PDF of your income and KiwiSaver deductions from myIR to support your application.
Common questions
Can I withdraw the government contribution for a first home?
Yes. Inland Revenue lists the government contribution among the savings you can withdraw for a first home. You must leave $1,000 in your account.
Can I withdraw the government contribution for hardship?
Inland Revenue's hardship page lists your contributions and your employer's contributions only.
How does the government contribution work?
The government adds 25c for every $1 you put in, up to $260.72 a year. See the KiwiSaver government contribution.
How long do I need to be in KiwiSaver to withdraw for a first home?
At least 3 years.
Do I apply to Inland Revenue or my provider?
Your provider, for both. The exception is a hardship withdrawal in the first 2 months of membership, which goes to Inland Revenue.
Struggling to cover living costs while out of work? Jobseeker Support rates are another place to look.
Sources: Inland Revenue, Getting my KiwiSaver savings for significant financial hardship, Getting my KiwiSaver savings for my first home and KiwiSaver scheme rules; Kāinga Ora, KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal. Checked October 2026. General information, not financial advice.