Most of us guys are useless at Christmas shopping. Here's a few tips I've picked up over the years.

Ladies, you might want to share this with the men in your family to avoid getting an undesirable and badly wrapped present this Christmas.

Buying your Christmas presents at a petrol station or dairy on Christmas morning really isn't the done thing - apparently not everyone wants a funnel, box of biscuits or a car care kit. Don't do it.

Get started early, no not on Christmas Eve, yesterday was already too late.

First thing in the morning is the best time to Christmas shop, and I mean first thing, teenagers are still in bed.

It's not the thought that counts, it's how MUCH thought that counts.

Cash is a GREAT present for teenagers - and me.

If you must give gift vouchers make sure they are from a shop the recipient actually shops in and try and avoid those with an expiry date.

Wrapping and cards are important, you and I know it's just paper but for some reason they are important.

Before you start browsing in a shop check that it does gift wrapping and accept the service - wait if necessary. If the shop doesn't do gift wrapping move on to the next. Unless you are an expert present wrapper - Yeah Right!

Even if every present you buy is gift wrapped, buy plenty of wrapping paper and sellotape. You are going to need it because dairy's and petrol stations don't gift wrap and being a bloke you'll probably ignore number 1.

Guys ignore the above at your peril and have a wonderful Christmas.

Posted in KiwiSaver.

First Home Buyers can use KiwiSaver

Do you want to buy your first home?

Have you been a member of KiwiSaver for at least three years?

Did you know that after three years you can withdraw all but the Government’s contributions from your KiwiSaver Account and use them to buy your first home?

And Did you know you can also get a HomeStart Grant of $1,000 per year of Kiwisaver membership from Housing New Zealand?

Do you want to know more? Email your name and phone number to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ring us on 07 578 3863.

KiwiSaver Savings withdrawal to buy your first home

You may be able to withdraw some or all of your KiwiSaver savings (except for the $1,000 kick-start) to put towards buying your first home.

And you and your partner can combine funds to get access to more money.

Some complying funds don't allow you to withdraw your savings for your first home. If you're a member of a complying fund and want to use your savings for your first home withdrawal you'll need to check with your provider to see if they offer this.

Making a first-home withdrawal

You must have been a KiwiSaver member or member of a complying fund for three or more years. You can only withdraw money to buy your first home - not an investment property.

If you have owned a home before, in some circumstances you may still be eligible to withdraw your savings. Your scheme provider may require you to contact Housing New Zealand to determine if you're in the same financial position as a first home buyer.

KiwiSaver HomeStart grant

After 3 years of contributing to KiwiSaver, you may be entitled to a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant. The grants are administered by Housing New Zealand. This grant will be paid to your solicitor on the day the purchase of the property is settled.

What the grants are worth

The two HomeStart grants are:

For purchasing an existing home, the grant is between $3,000 and $5,000 based on $1,000 each year of KiwiSaver membership.
For building or purchasing a new home, or for purchasing land to build a new home on, the grant is, in effect doubled to, $2,000 per year of membership in the scheme, up to a maximum of $10,000 for five years for each member.

There are maximum values of grants payable for the purchase of a single dwelling, regardless of the number of eligible purchasers:

$10,000 for the purchase of an older/existing property
$20,000 for the purchase of a new property.

Getting a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant

To be eligible for a KiwiSaver HomeStart grant you must:

have been contributing the required minimum amount to KiwiSaver for at least three years
be 18 years or over
be purchasing or building your first home (see "Note" below)
have a household income (before tax) of less than $80,000 per year (for one person), or less than $120,000 per year (for two or more people)
have a deposit that is 10% or more of the purchase price, including the addition of the grant
be planning to live in the house for at least 6 months from the settlement/completion of the property.

Income and house price caps will apply.

Note that if you've owned a home before, in some circumstances you may still be eligible for a HomeStart grant. Housing New Zealand will need to determine that you are in the same financial position as a first home buyer.