Housing
More interest rates relief coming for homeowners
Interest rates might have started to rise but what home loan borrowers pay in interest is likely to keep falling through this year.
Second town red-listed by major insurer for new policies
Locals say it's "baffling" AA will no longer issue new policies in Woodend - but for different reasons to its decision in Westport. Audio
How to fix the 'build now, fix later' culture
Nearly 10 percent of the construction sector's total value is lost to systemic quality failure, writes industry consultant Mark Kirby.
Councillor calling for hotline to report Airbnb operators
A Christchurch City Councillor is calling for a hotline for residents to dob in Air BnB operators that might be breaking the rules. New regulations came into effect in 2023 meaning anyone renting out… Audio
Customers switching banks in record numbers
What could banking mortgage incentives may mean for those with home loans? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Flipping houses for a quick buck could be over
Remember when flipping houses seemed like a sure-fire way to make a dollar? Well, it turns out those days might be behind us. New data from TradeMe shows New Zealanders are changing their habits, its… Audio
Can you still make money 'doing up' a property?
Buyers are moving away from 'doer-uppers' and experts are divided on how much value people can hope to add.
AI building tools come with risks
Landlord told to pay $60k in damages over 'cockroaches' and 'sewage'
There were breaches across 34 different tenancies.
A major insurance company halts new policies in Westport
![NZ Defence Force/supplied
[57] An aerial view of the eastern end of Westport during the July 2021 flood.](https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--EwHUVV68--/ar_16:10,c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,q_auto,w_288/v1676944005/4LD8J25_20210718_NZDF_P1024180_057_2_scaled_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD)
Experts are predicting AA Insurance's decision to temporarily stopped offering new home insurance policies in Westport could be the first on many. Audio
Pushing back on Auckland's housing intensification plans
Ever since the plans for greater housing intensification in Auckland were revealed less that six months ago, there has been outrage. Audio
Biggest bank downgrades house price forecast
But new research shows not everyone is feeling the same way.
Why 2026 is a 'Goldilocks year' for first-home buyers
Changes mean lenders are approving more home loans to buyers with low deposits, and some people might not realise they qualify. Audio
Tenants awarded almost $20k after infant exposed to lead paint
The boy's doctor said that months after leaving the property, his body was still working hard to eliminate lead, arsenic and cadmium from his system.
Rents are down - but how long will it last?
Trade Me says rents are down - but that could be about to change.
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.
