Warmer Kiwi Homes Grant for 2025-2026

The Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, launched in 2018, helps make New Zealand homes warmer, drier, and more energy-efficient through insulation and heating retrofits. Originally for low-income households, it now includes middle-income homes (deciles 5‑7) for insulation grants. Extended to June 2027, it provides nationwide support, lowering energy bills, improving comfort, and boosting health outcomes.

What does the Warmer Kiwi Homes grant cover?

The Warmer Kiwi Homes grant targets improvements that increase energy efficiency and create healthier living environments. A warmer, drier home lowers the risk of illness and makes everyday life more comfortable during cold months. This initiative focuses on households with lower incomes or those at risk of fuel poverty, ensuring support reaches where it is needed most.

Additional Funding You Might Qualify For

These additional funds are only available if your home is assessed as needing insulation or a heat pump due to an earthing or access issue.

• Access Work: Funding can cover making underfloor or ceiling areas accessible and fixing minor leaks that would otherwise block insulation installation.
• Earthing Repairs: Heat pump installers can fix minor earthing issues to safely install heaters.
• LED Downlights: Older downlights that prevent insulation can be replaced with safer, energy-efficient LED lights.

Who Can Apply For The Warmer Kiwi Homes Programme?

The eligibility criteria determine which households can access these generous subsidies. Many applicants are surprised by how broad the requirements have become, especially as the programme expands for 2025 and 2026.

Key conditions include owning and occupying the home as a primary residence, meeting specified income thresholds, and living in a property built before 2008 without modern insulation or efficient heating systems. Additional priority goes to certain geographic locations identified as high-need.

Eligibility for a Warmer Kiwi Homes heating grant

• Home ownership and age: You must own and live in a home that was built before 2008.
• Income or location: You either hold a Community Services Card, a SuperGold Combo Card, or live in an area that has been identified as low-income.
• Insulation requirements: Your home must have ceiling and underfloor insulation that meets EECA standards.
  If your insulation was installed through a government insulation programme, this will be verified automatically when you apply.
  If not, an EECA-approved insulation provider will carry out a quick, free inspection to confirm compliance.
• Existing heating: Your main living area must not already have an operational fixed heater (heat pump, wood/pellet burner, flued gas heater, or central heating). Homes with these are ineligible for a heating grant.

Eligibility for a Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation grant

• Home ownership and age: You must own and live in a home that was built before 2008.
• Income or location: You either hold a Community Services Card, a SuperGold Combo Card, or live in an area classified as low- to middle-income.
• Insulation status: Your home must not already have ceiling and underfloor insulation.
• If you previously received an insulation grant for a different property, you are still eligible to apply for your current home.

How the cost coverage works for homeowners?

Unlike traditional rebates, Warmer Kiwi Homes grants provide an immediate discount rather than a reimbursement after payment. The government’s share is subtracted directly from the installer’s invoice, simplifying the process for homeowners. Most projects fall within the 50–80% subsidy range, though final figures vary depending on region and assessed need.

Some upgrades require a combination of solutions, such as pairing underfloor insulation with double glazing in one project. In these cases, the cost coverage is transparent, with itemized quotes provided before work begins. This clarity helps homeowners avoid unexpected expenses.

What If You Don’t Qualify for the Grant?

If you aren’t eligible for the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme grant, don’t worry you still have strong options. Many New Zealand banks offer green‑home loans designed to support energy efficiency and sustainable upgrades.

Banks like ANZ Bank New Zealand, BNZ and ASB Bank allow you to borrow up to NZ$80,000 for sustainable home improvements such as insulation, heat pumps, and double‑glazing, often at a special low fixed rate (~1 %) for the first 3 years. Major banks have collectively issued over NZ$1 billion in green loans since 2022 for heating, insulation and other energy efficient home upgrades.

Why this is a great alternative

Even if you don’t qualify for the Warmer Kiwi Homes grant, green loans offer a great alternative, allowing you to upgrade your home with insulation, heat pumps, and other energy-efficient improvements. With low‑interest or near interest‑free terms, these loans make the cost more manageable over time, while helping you reduce energy bills, enhance comfort, and increase your home’s overall value.

Important considerations

• You’ll need a quote for the upgrade work (insulation, heating system, etc.) when applying.
• Check the terms and interest rate after the initial special rate period expires some borrowers reported standard interest rates apply after the promo period.
• Make sure you have enough equity in your home or meet the lender’s criteria (some require minimum equity or servicing capacity).

Green Loan Options