Source: Trade Me Property
At the same time, regional variations are widening. According to Trade Me data, prices in Southland(+ 9.70 per cent), West Coast(+ 8.9 %), and Otago(+ 4.1 %) recorded the strongest annual gains, while Wānaka in Otago recently surged 21 per cent year-on-year, adding nearly $ 400,000 in a single month.
By contrast, Marlborough saw prices fall 9.30 per cent, underscoring how uneven recovery can be. In Auckland, where average prices are still 1.80 per cent below 2024 values, the rebound remains slow but steady – an encouraging signal following two years of moving sideways.
For property owners, these shifts point to opportunities on several fronts. The market isn’ t defined by a single narrative, but by timing, location, and the ability to anticipate demand.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Economists often debate what should happen next, but homeowners will act on what did happen. The RBNZ has shown its hand: growth is a priority, confidence must be rebuilt, and rates will stay low until policymakers are satisfied Kiwis are meaningfully engaging in the consumer economy.
As history shows, this combination typically delivers house price inflation.
For sellers, that means the months to year-end may mark a distinct opportunity where motivated buyers and affordable finance align to create additional incentive.
For buyers, it’ s a reminder that confidence can quickly return, sometimes faster than stock levels rise.
For everyone else, it is an invitation to move from caution to confidence. The direction of travel is clear, and those who position early will set the pace for the next phase of growth.
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