Co-Own With Kiwibank: A New Way to Get on the Property Ladder
For many Māori and Pacific families, the dream of owning a home can feel just out of reach — especially with high house prices, rising living costs, and tighter deposit requirements. But Kiwibank’s Co-Own product offers a new pathway that could bring that dream closer.
Whether you want to buy with whānau, friends, or someone you trust, Co-Own lets you purchase a home together — while keeping things fair, legal, and clear.
What Is Co-Own?
Co-Own is Kiwibank’s shared ownership mortgage product. It allows up to four people (or two couples) to buy a home together — with each person’s share clearly outlined in the home loan.
That means:
You don’t need to be married or in a relationship.
You can buy with siblings, cousins, friends, or parents.
You each have separate loan accounts, but you’re all connected through the same property.
Each person can choose their own loan type, structure, and term — so it’s flexible to suit different income levels and goals.
How Does It Work?
Choose your co-owners: Think carefully about who you want to purchase with. It should be someone you trust and can have open kōrero with — money and property are big commitments.
Agree on ownership shares: You’ll all decide how much of the house each person owns (e.g. 50/50, 70/30, 25/25/25/25). These shares are written into the title and the loan agreements.
Get separate loans: Everyone applies for their own loan, based on their income and deposit. If one person needs to repay faster or chooses a fixed vs floating rate — that’s up to them.
All co-owners sign a legal agreement: This covers what happens if someone wants to sell, can’t make repayments, or if circumstances change. Kiwibank strongly recommends getting independent legal advice for this part.
Who Is It For?
Kiwibank’s Co-Own is a great fit for:
Whānau looking to buy together and support each other
Friends teaming up to get into the market faster
Adult children and parents co-purchasing a home
First-home buyers who want to buy a bigger or better home with others
You’ll still need to meet Kiwibank’s lending criteria, but this structure makes it easier to pool resources, share the deposit, and manage repayments as a team.
What About KiwiSaver and Grants?
If you're using KiwiSaver for your deposit, Co-Own still works — but the First Home Grant has rules around who qualifies and how much you can apply for. Each applicant must meet eligibility on their own.
It’s also important to understand:
All co-owners are jointly responsible for the property as a whole (you’re all on the title)
Your share in the home may affect future applications for grants or loans, even if you only own part of the property
Talk to your mortgage adviser or a Kiwibank specialist to fully understand the fine print.
Why This Matters for Our Communities
For Māori and Pacific people, collective approaches to wealth, property, and whānau responsibility are not new. We’ve always supported each other — and this product offers a modern way to do that within the housing market.
Instead of waiting years to save a full deposit on your own, you can combine efforts and make progress faster. Whether it’s with a sibling, a mate, or your cousin who’s also tired of renting — Co-Own could be your next smart move.
Key Things to Know
Up to 4 people can co-own a home
Everyone has separate loans, tailored to them
You don’t have to be in a relationship to co-own
A legal agreement is required to protect everyone
Kiwibank can help guide you — but independent legal advice is essential
Final Thoughts
Getting into the housing market is hard — no doubt. But Co-Own by Kiwibank is one of the most empowering options we’ve seen for those who want to move forward together.
If you’ve got someone in mind you’d trust to own a home with — have a conversation. It could be the first step to unlocking a future you thought was out of reach.
Need help reviewing your mortgage options or planning a co-ownership purchase? Reach out for a free kōrero. Let’s put the dream of homeownership back on the table — together.