Two thousand New Zealanders have applied for a Homestart grant to buy their first home.
The scheme, which came into effect this month, gives first-time buyers grants of up to $20,000 and lets eligible KiwiSaver members use more of their funds on their first property.
During question time, the Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith said 2,000 people signing up already was a stunning result.
"Given the scheme's only been in place since the 1st of April, that is treble the number that was received in April last year under the old schemes and shows how the Government is helping hundreds of families every week get in to their first home."
Nick Smith said Housing New Zealand has had to increase the number of staff processing the applications.
