Early access to KiwiSaver

For information about early withdrawals, see

Getting my KiwiSaver savings early(external link) — Inland Revenue

New first-home withdrawal pathways for farms and service tenancies

The Government has agreed to amend the KiwiSaver Act 2006 to create two new first-home withdrawal pathways (subject to Parliament passing legislation).

1. Buying your first farm through a commercial entity: You will be able to withdraw KiwiSaver savings for a first home located on a farm if the purchase is made via a commercial entity (company, partnership or trust) that you, alone or with a partner, majority own and control, and you intend to live on the farm.
2. Buying your first home while in a service tenancy: If your job requires you to live in accommodation where your employer is the landlord (a service tenancy), you will be able to withdraw your KiwiSaver savings for a first home without the usual requirement to intend to live in that home.

You would still need to meet all other first-home withdrawal eligibility criteria.

These changes are not yet in force and depend on Parliament passing legislation. The Government intends to introduce a KiwiSaver Amendment Bill to give effect to these decisions and if passed, they would come into force no earlier than six months after Royal Assent.

Read the key documents behind these policy decisions:

On 1 March 2026, the Government announced these changes:

KiwiSaver adjustment to help rural workers(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

Withdrawal in cases of life-shortening congenital conditions

In March 2021, the KiwiSaver Act 2006 was amended to let people with a life‑shortening congenital condition access their KiwiSaver early so they can spend a reasonable part of their adult life in retirement. You’re eligible if you can show a medical certificate and other sufficient medical evidence for a set list of conditions.

The conditions are:

1. Down syndrome (Down’s syndrome)
2. Cerebral palsy
3. Huntington’s disease (Huntington’s chorea)
4. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

If your congenital condition isn’t on this list, you can still apply with medical evidence showing it shortens life expectancy below age 65.

Read the key documents behind these policy decisions: