u/realestate_co_nz

Our September Property Report shows the average asking price for a property in Auckland has fallen below the $1million mark for the first time in six years. 

What’s more, the average asking price of $993,562 is more than $280,000 below the city’s peak back in January 2022, when the average asking price was over $1.2million ($1,274,829 to be exact). 

The data continues to be interesting because 3,500 new listings came onto the market in Auckland in September, which is 7.7% more than the same time last year, and total stock rose 13.8% to 13,958 homes. 

All of this is creating the most buyer-friendly market the city has seen in years. 

Does sub-$1 million feel like the market is finally opening up, or are the homes you actually want still well out of reach? 

Hi all,

Our recent rental data has shown there's a rental divide across NZ and we're keen to know what rents are doing in your region?

We've found some rents are $40 more than this time last year. 

The average weekly rent nationally reached $637 in August, up 1.5% (about $9 a week) compared to August 2025. Is this in line with what you're paying?

Marlborough had the strongest growth in the country, up 8.2% year-on-year from $511 to $553, a jump of around $40 a week. Otago rose 5.6% to $653, while Canterbury was up 5.7% to $622, and Waikato hit a record $587/week, up 4.1%. 

Wellington also grew above the national average, up 3.6% to $621, while Auckland, our biggest rental market, barely moved, up just 0.8% to around $689.  

But there are regions where rents are falling 

The West Coast dropped 6.5%, Gisborne fell 5.2%, Southland was down 4.8%, Manawatū/Whanganui slipped 4.5% and Wairarapa eased 3.3%. If you're renting in any of those regions, the national story of rising rents probably doesn't match your lease renewal. 

So, what's your region actually doing? Are you seeing rent increases, decreases, or has it genuinely been steady where you are? 

This month’s New Zealand Property Report puts the national average asking price pretty close to where it was at the same time three years ago. 

And it’s had commentators asking an interesting question – has government policy settled the property market, or has the market settled itself? 

What do you think? 

Because when we look at the numbers, the national average asking price sits at $849,362 for August, just 3.2% below where it was in August 2023, three years and one general election ago.  

That's less than $28,000 of movement in three years, across a period that's included interest rate cycles, a change of government, and no shortage of economic uncertainty. 

There are 32,908 homes on the market nationally, 45% more than three years ago. New listings for the month are up 11.8% on August 2023 too, even though they're down 5.1% year-on-year. 

Across the country, 13 regions recorded a year-on-year price decline in August, and 15 recorded declines in new listings during the same month. 

What do you think? Has policy settled the market? 

Hi, Vanessa here from realestate.co.nz.

I'm curious to know, when you're looking at a suburb, what makes it attractive to buy or live in?

Is it good transport links? Local cafes and shops? Schools? Green spaces? A sense of community?

Some suburbs seem to go from overlooked to highly sought-after almost overnight. Suddenly there are more buyers, prices start climbing, and everyone’s calling it the “next big thing”. Which got me wondering, what actually drives that shift?

Is it things like new infrastructure or public transport; restaurants, retail, and local amenities; good schools or community facilities; job hubs nearby; or just growing buyer demand?

And on the flip side, what’s missing from a suburb that would make you more likely to consider buying or living there? 

Interested to hear what people actually look for when deciding where to live.