Housing Crisis stories
The funding leaves Auckland’s housing shortage still acute, but will unlock build-ready land for up to 16,000 homes across five suburbs.
Mortgage repayments now absorb nearly half of household income, as record house prices and weaker wages push affordability to fresh lows.
New Zealand’s median house price climbed by NZD $100,000 in October, with 10 regions hitting record highs amid tight supply and strong demand.
The bill could unlock up to 105,500 extra homes in major cities by letting most sites add three storeys without resource consents.
Tenants could face higher rents and fewer homes as landlords lose interest deductibility from Friday, industry figures warn.
Overcrowded emergency housing is increasingly being linked to new infections as officials warn the delta variant is spreading among vulnerable groups.
Property values have surged nationwide, leaving first-home buyers facing tougher affordability as almost every New Zealand suburb gained at least 10%.
Housing pressure is driving New Zealand's first large-scale build-to-rent scheme, with 295 apartments planned for Sylvia Park in Auckland.
A further NZD $150m in funding will help Auckland developers meet surging demand, with some homes already sold off-plan to waiting buyers.
Westland is the country's most affordable area, with house prices at just 3.2 times income and rent and deposits well below national norms.
Public scrutiny begins on a replacement regime for the RMA, with the first draft aiming to speed planning and ease housing constraints.
Critics warn the draft overhaul could leave consenting slower and housebuilding harder, despite ministers promising a leaner planning regime.
The report urges ministers to curb speculation, strengthen tenant rights and expand social housing after finding the crisis breaches basic rights.
Record-low inventory is pushing New Zealand house prices higher, leaving first-time buyers with fewer affordable options.
Sales fell 28% in April and the median price eased to NZD $810,000, but analysts say it is too soon to judge the policy impact.
Budget 2021’s housing package was welcomed, but experts warned it lacks the radical steps needed to help first-home buyers and renters.
Signs of cooling are emerging as quieter open homes and more auctions passing in are expected to slow gains after a red-hot year.
Lockdown housing for the homeless highlighted how policy, modular building and state spending could curb New Zealand’s affordability crisis.
Home buyers could gain from easier grants, while investors face a tougher tax regime and rents may rise as a result.
Auckland developers are finding stronger demand and easier consents as housing shortages, low rates and relaxed zoning reshape the market.
