Last night I spoke with The Urban Advisory’s Managing Director Dr Natalie Allen, who has released the first results of a new longitudinal survey on the experiences and aspirations around housing of renters and owners.

The New Zealand Housing Survey is a nationwide study designed by The Urban Advisory and analysed by the University of Auckland. It was conducted with 2,587 adults aged 16 and over between August 2024 and February 2025 and found:

* Nearly 75% of renters expressed dissatisfaction with the housing options available to them;

* 53% of non-homeowners said they didn’t own a home because they ‘can’t afford to buy anywhere’;

* While 75% of homeowners “strongly agree” that their home is stable and secure, only 30% of renters feel the same; and,

* Most renters expect their next move will be by choice and 47% plan to move in the next year, however, nearly 20% anticipate being forced to move.

Allen says the survey showed the unmet demand for affordable homes in apartments, townhouses and other ‘co-housing’ situations in locations close to work, schools and other amenities.

“These statistics highlight the stark disparities in housing experiences across Aotearoa. For some, a lack of housing mobility means they’re stuck in place, even when they want or need to move.

“For many others, constant relocation is the norm, driven by the absence of affordable, suitable options. This instability has far-reaching consequences, directly affecting educational attendance, academic outcomes, and economic productivity.

“There’s a big gap between what people want and what sort of housing is being delivered. The gap is between the public housing sector and the private market, and to bridge it will require flexible support and more housing options.

“Until the gap is understood, which is the purpose of this ongoing research, and addressed, New Zealanders won’t have the range of housing options they need to thrive.” The Urban Advisory’s Managing Director Dr Natalie Allen

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the New Zealand Housing Survey

02:50 Understanding Renters’ Perspectives

05:53 Housing Preferences and Trends

09:02 Densification and Community Needs

Here is the summary of the first year’s results and the full results in PDF form.

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Ka kite ano

Bernard

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