Quote Originally Posted by artemis View Post
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How many first home buyers have to empty out their retirement Kiwisavers to get a deposit? None, it is not at all compulsory.
Of course it is not compulsory. However with NZ's expensive housing, even for a low quartile house, the reality for many is that do need to empty out their Kiwsaver accounts of their contributions to get a deposit.

Also about 70% of Auckland first home buyers get financial help from families to buy a house. So as it is also a popular investment for some, owner-occupied home ownership is becoming more limited to those with access to inherited wealth.