Sources of Funding

In the past decade there have been many programmes, grants, and incentives introduced to educate, encourage and improve the quality of NZ’s housing stock. Some of these programs operate nationally and others in specific locations. Some are motivated by concerns about air quality, others by concerns about fuel poverty. The following list sets out programmes that we are aware of currently available in the greater Dunedin area and details specific financing options (information correct as at June 2013). Please be aware that this page is under construction throughout June 2013 and will change and grow:

Subsidies, Grants, Incentives

  • Warm Homes Project (Otago) - This program is for ~170 homes and can potentially fund 100% of the cost of insulation by combining funding from EECA, Otago Community Trust and Cozy Kiwi.  You will need a community services card to be eligible for the full subsidy of 100% non-community services card holders can get 66%.  The program is also for rental accommodation but this does require the landlord to contribute also.  Contact:
    • Anglican Family Care
    • Barnoardos
    • Presbyterian Support
    • Catholic social Services
    • Salvation Army Southern
    • Te Hou Ora Otepoti; or
    • Smart Energy Solution for more details - 0800 888 766
  • Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart – The Governments major grant program which has seen around 215,000 homes insulated since 2009. This scheme will end when grants run out in about September 2013.

If you are a homeowner (including landlords) and your house was built before the year 2000, you can get up to $1,300 (or 33%) towards the cost of ceiling and underfloor insulation and its installation.
If you have a Community Services Card, you may be able to get 60% off the total cost of insulation and its installation. This funding is limited, however, so be sure to check its availability with service providers.

  • Warm Up New Zealand: Healthy Homes – this scheme will invest $100 million over three years, targeting low-income households for home insulation, particularly those families with children and high health needs.

EECA will provide more detail about who is eligible when the projects are announced. You will need to have a Community Service Card but there will also be other criteria based on local priorities.

  • The Warm Dunedin - The trial Warm Dunedin programme has assisted more than 600 households to increase household warmth, health and comfort by providing a rates advance to help with the upfront costs of installing insulation and/or clean heating.  The program advances up to $5,000 including GST for insulation, and if insulation is installed, clean heating products. The amount, plus associated costs of interest, is to be paid via direct debit as a targeted rate to the DCC over a 10-year period as an additional part of the regular rate payments.

    To be eligible for Warm Dunedin targeted rate, you must:
    • be the ratepayer of the property (including landlords). The property must be within the Dunedin city boundary and have been built before the year 2000;
    • be up-to-date with your rates payments and have a good rates payment history;
    • agree to pay all your rates by direct debit on an agreed basis (ideally monthly, fortnightly or weekly) for the period of the targeted rate (10 years);
    • provide a quote for approved insulation and heating from your DCC-registered service provider;
    • with your service provider, correctly fill in the required areas of all forms and meet all the requirements of the Warm Dunedin programme.
    For further information please see or contact the DCC on 477 4000.
  • Clean Heat Clean Air Warm Homes - A new ORC programme for a heating only subsidy will commence from 1 July 2013 for Air Zone 1 townships only (Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Arrowtown and Milton).  More details to follow.

Financing a Cosy Home

  • Kiwi Bank Sustainable Energy Loan - A Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan can be added to a Kiwibank Home Loan to pay for an approved renewable energy system such as: Solar hot water, solar photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal (Domestic only). Kiwibank will contribute a maximum of $2000 over four years to help you pay your loan off faster.