We prove that the z = 1 and z = 3 Lifshitz black hole solutions of new massive gravity in three dimensions are the only static axisymmetric solutions that can be cast in a Kerr-Schild form with a seed metric given by the Lifshitz spacetime. Correspondingly, we study the issue of uniqueness of Lifshitz solitons when considering an ansatz involving a single metric function. We show this problem can be mapped to the previous one and that the z = 1 and z = 1/3 Lifshitz soliton solutions are the only ones within this class. Finally, our approach suggests for the first time an explanation as to what is special about those particular values of the dynamical critical exponent z at finite temperature.