Who gets what? A simple guide to the Property (Relationships) Act

Feature article

Who gets what? A simple guide to the Property (Relationships) Act

A clear, plain-English guide to the Property (Relationships) Act 1976.

5 November 2025

Hannah Hilliam

What is the Property (Relationships) Act?

Who does the property relationships act apply to?

What is a de facto couple?

What counts as “relationship property”?

What is not “relationship property”?

When separate property becomes shared (a.k.a. “intermingling”)

Is everything split 50/50?

Relationship property agreements (a.k.a. “prenups”)

What happens when you separate

Where to get help

Property (Relationships) Act - FAQs

How long before equal sharing applies in a de facto relationship?

Can we opt out of the 50/50 rules?

Does everything always get split in half?

Do KiwiSaver balances get split?

Is a house bought before marriage relationship property?

Author

Hannah Hilliam Hannah Hilliam