Housing
Rent drops for first time in a decade, data shows
Realestate.co.nz said, based on its data, the national average weekly rent was down 1.8 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.
Almost $1m bill for failed property flip
A property reseller caught out by the falling housing market has been told to pay an Auckland couple more than $750,000 in damages, plus more than $100,000 in interest.
Confidence returning to property market, REINZ says
It has released its data for December, which shows the national median price was up 1.4 percent year-on-year to $786,977. Month-on-month it was down 1.6 percent.
Luxon throwing Bishop under the bus on housing, Hipkins says
The Labour leader has accused the prime minister of starting this election year by "panicking". Audio
What new granny flats rules mean for costs, consents and rates
You no longer need a consent to build a backyard flat, but there are still costs and regulations.
Morning Report Essentials for Tuesday 20 January 2026
Christopher Luxon gave his annual scene setting speech in Auckland on Monday to a crowd of 700 people hosted by the Auckland Business Chamber; New research shows many New Zealanders aren't paying… Audio
Is owning a home no longer the strong investment it once was?
New data shows the old adage that house prices double every ten years hasn't been true in the past decade - and some commentators are saying it might not be in the next one, either. Money… Audio
Concerns over possible new rough sleeper rules
Community housing advocates are worried the police will soon be given powers to move rough sleepers on from public spaces. Community Housing Aotearoa's Paul Gilberd spoke to Lauren Crimp. Audio
Fear 'ghost houses' will turn Queenstown into a trainwreck
At any given time, more than a quarter of the district's properties are unoccupied, data shows.
Morning Report Essentials for Monday 19 January
The government is working on stopping busloads of people stripping rockpools of sea life in north Auckland; Pharmac is seeking clinical advice on whether the weight loss medication Wegovy should… Audio
Possible changes to Auckland housing intensification targets
The Government is considering lowering its housing intensification targets in Auckland after pushback from critics. Scott Caldwell, a spokesperson for advocacy group Coalition for More Homes spoke to… Audio
Tauranga businesses grappling with increase in homeless
Tauranga retailers say more homeless has meant more aggressiveness and damage, with staff at one store facing daily urine clean-ups.
Auckland councillors in the dark over government's housing rethink
The coalition is taking another look at housing intensification plans in Auckland after pushback - but the mayor and councillors know nothing about it.
Watch: Ministers mark start of new granny flats rules
The new rules allow a small dwelling with a simple design of up to 70 square metres to be built without a resource consent, and are in effect from today.
Person who died in Christchurch fire was community housing tenant
Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust says it's saddened by the death of one of its tenants.
House prices are up - but what's going on in Wellington?
Prices around the country are picking up, but not in the capital.
Queenstown workers struggle to stay as living costs soar
Despite record visitor numbers and hundreds of job opportunities, workers in Queenstown say the cost of living is making it increasingly difficult to stay. Katie Todd reports. Audio
Cost of building a new house set to rise
New data shows residential building costs increased by 0.9 percent in the three months to December.
'The smell is pungent': Rental damaged by urine after tenants kept up to 10 dogs
Even replacing the carpet didn't remove the strong smell of dog urine from the property.
The most expensive place to rent in New Zealand
Renting in the Central Otago Lakes District region is now more expensive than Auckland, though renters elsewhere are seeing relief.
