Feature article

Avoiding rest home fees in New Zealand

What is and isn’t allowed under the current rules

12 December 2025

What you’ll learn

You are given two options:
	What is counted in your assets?	The maximum limit you can have
Option 1: Lower limit	Option 1: Lower limit	Everything but your family home and car.	Everything but your family home and car.	Your other assets must be $159,810 or less.	Your other assets must be $159,810 or less.
Option 2: Higher limit	Option 2: Higher limit	Everything, including the value of your family home and car.	Everything, including the value of your family home and car.	Your total assets must be $291,825 or less.	Your total assets must be $291,825 or less.

Gifts made in the last five years are subject to a strict limit of $8,000 per year combined. Any excess amount is still counted toward your assets.

Author

With the increasing cost of living and rising building costs, more Kiwi are putting down the tools.