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Will New Zealand house prices rebound to their 2021 peak, or are we in for a prolonged flat cycle? In Episode 27 of New Zealand Property Insights, hosts Paul and Debbie Roberts unpack ASB’s latest housing outlook, which projects national home values will not return to 2021 peak levels until at least 2029. They examine what flat growth in 2026 and a 3.5% lift in 2027 mean for buyers, how disposable income multiples have dropped from 9.8x to 6.7x, and how a proposed 5% deposit scheme could impact first-home buyer demand. 

Next, they explore the ongoing structural shift in non-bank mortgage lending. Featuring insights from XCEDA CEO Daniel McGrath and BaseCorp CFO John Moody, Paul and Debbie explain why non-bank lending is moving from a fallback option to a proactive strategy for self-employed borrowers, property flippers, and investors needing approvals within 24 to 48 hours. 

Finally, they break down fresh Realestate.co.nz rental figures to determine whether national asking rents have officially hit a floor. With the national average asking rent reaching $637 per week (+1.5% YoY), they analyze major regional variations—from strong gains in Marlborough (+8.2%) and Waikato ($587/wk record) to drops on the West Coast (-6.5%)—and reveal why pushing for a $10–$20 weekly rent increase can cost landlords up to $1,400 in vacant downtime. 

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• ASB Price Forecast: Why house prices are expected to remain flat through 2026 before rising 3.5% in 2027, and why a 2029 peak recovery is positive for long-term market stability. 
• Income-to-Price Multiples: How house price-to-disposable income ratios dropped to 6.7x (down from 9.8x in 2021), helping first-home buyers capture nearly 30% of sales. 
• Proposed 5% Deposit Rule: How raising income caps to $300,000 for couples could accelerate first-home buyer entry. 
• Non-Bank Lending Tactics: How writing clear application narratives enables specialist lenders to approve complex scenarios (bridging, self-employed, property additions) in 24–48 hours. 
• Rental Market Floor: Why asking rents act as a leading indicator, and how provincial cashflows in Canterbury, Otago, and Waikato are supporting local rental gains. 
• Tenant Retention vs. Vacancy Costs: Why keeping reliable tenants and avoiding 2–3 weeks of vacancy easily outweighs aggressive rent hikes in an adjusting market. 

Free Educational Masterclass & Resources

Ready to build a resilient, data-backed property portfolio without sales pressure or developer hype? Join financial adviser Debbie Roberts live for our free online training session: How to Succeed with Property Investing. 

• 100% Independent Education (Property Apprentice does NOT sell real estate) 
• Live Q&A Session Included
• 👉 Register Free Here: propertyapprentice.co.nz

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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New Zealand’s major banks have officially lifted variable mortgage rates following the Reserve Bank’s latest 25 basis point OCR hike. What does this mean for your home loan, and how are fixed rates holding up? 

In this episode of the Week in Review, Debbie Roberts (Owner & Financial Adviser at Property Apprentice) breaks down the biggest property and finance headlines across Aotearoa. From National’s proposed $300,000 income threshold for 5% deposit First Home Loans to Barfoot & Thompson's latest August sales figures signal an Auckland market tipping point, we deliver the practical insights you need to navigate today's property market. 

In This Episode:

• Floating Mortgage Rates Shift: All five major banks (ANZ, BNZ, ASB, Westpac, Kiwibank) have raised variable rates by 25bps. Discover why 92% of Kiwi borrowers remain insulated on fixed terms and what ASB’s customer repayment data tells us about household resilience. 
• Lessons From Australia's Property Market: Australian home values fell for a fifth consecutive month, led by Sydney (-7.1% from peak). We analyze why persistent construction bottlenecks mean structural supply shortages remain unresolved across the ditch. 
• National's 5% Deposit Scheme Expansion: National proposes raising the First Home Loan income cap to $300,000, potentially opening low-deposit options to over 90% of households. We weigh the benefits against the 1.2% government mortgage insurance fee. 
• Auckland Market Tipping Point: Barfoot & Thompson sales dropped to their lowest August volume since 2022 while median prices edged up to $955,000. What this stabilization means for active buyers and sellers. 
• KiwiSaver Loophole Closed for Rural Workers: A new amendment bill will finally allow farm staff, rural teachers, and police officers in employer-provided housing to access their KiwiSaver for a first home or farm purchase. 

Free Financial Education & Events Want to build a resilient, cash-flowing property portfolio using proven, independent strategies? Join Debbie Roberts at our next live, free online event: How to Succeed with Property Investing. 

👉 Register now at www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Buyer choice has jumped by 45% as national listings hit 33,000 homes—so what does this "new normal" mean for house prices and negotiation power? Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate to 2.75%, a landmark MBIE ruling threatens Christchurch's 5,000 Airbnbs, and an expert panel has dissected the fatal design flaws in Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax. 

In Episode 26 of New Zealand Property Insights, hosts Paul and Debbie Roberts break down the latest data from the RBNZ, Realestate.co.nz, MBIE, and the Salvation Army to deliver real facts without the headline hype. 

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• OCR Hike & Capital Gains Tax Flaws: Why the RBNZ raised the OCR by 25bps to 2.75%, and why top economists and tax specialists agree Labour's CGT design fails—including a total lack of inflation adjustment that levies a $280,000 tax bill on zero real profit. 
• Christchurch Airbnb Crackdown: How a landmark MBIE ruling requiring commercial visitor accommodation compliance (fire safety & disability access) could impact short-term rentals nationwide. 
• 33,000 Homes on Market: Why buyer inventory has jumped 45% over three years, how shortening the Bright-line test to 2 years encouraged investor listings, and why national average asking prices ($849,362) have settled into a "new normal". 
• Regional Clearance Rates: Why Canterbury inventory takes just 15 weeks to clear while Coromandel takes 56 weeks and Northland takes 48 weeks. 
• Salvation Army Housing Report: Why building 9.1% more homes hasn't solved housing stress, and how Aucklanders relocating to provincial cities are shrinking local rental pools. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Why are 65% of New Zealanders under 45 putting major life milestones like buying a home, starting a family, or making career moves on pause? And what really happens when you buy a cross-lease property with an unconsented deck, carport, or extension?

In Episode 24 of New Zealand Property Insights, host Paul Roberts breaks down fresh demographic surveys and financial credit data to expose the underlying truths shaping today's property market.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Gen Z & Millennial Financial Pressure: Unpacking the 15th annual 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey on Deloitte New Zealand. Discover why cost-of-living concerns weigh heavily on 56% of young Kiwis, how housing costs dictate career choices, and why low-deposit lending options exist for strategic buyers.
• Cross-Lease Title Realities & Traps: Demystifying 999-year cross-lease titles in New Zealand. Learn how unconsented extensions create costly defective titles, how to navigate neighbor consent rules, and how converting cross-leases to freehold sections creates instant equity.
• Mortgage Defaults & Forced Sales Myth: Examining fresh credit data from Moody's, Property Intelligence Data on Cotality, and the Credit Indicator Report on Centrix. Discover why residential default rates remain near historic lows (111 mortgagee sales in Q2 versus 763 during the GFC) and how bank serviceability stress testing protects homeowners.

🎓 Free Educational Masterclass

Looking to build long-term property wealth without falling into low-deposit traps or high-pressure sales pitches? Join financial adviser Debbie Roberts for our next live online event: How to Succeed with Property Investing.

• 100% Independent (We do NOT sell real estate)
• Zero Sales Pressure
• 👉 Register Free Here: Property Apprentice NZ

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Are fake AI photos hiding structural defects on house listings? And how did a social media property coach end up owing $2M to creditors?

In Episode 23 of New Zealand Property Insights, hosts Paul Roberts and Debbie Roberts (owners of Property Apprentice) tackle the biggest ethical, regulatory, and construction cost developments affecting New Zealand property buyers and investors today.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• AI in Property Marketing: Where is the boundary between low-risk virtual staging and illegal deception? Learn why sky replacements and digital enhancements require strict disclosures, plus the mandatory "Beyond the Frame" question every buyer must ask listing agents.
• The $2M Property Coach Collapse: Analyzing the high-profile liquidation of Ashley Dean-Binnie's companies. We unpack the massive regulatory loop-hole between generalized coaching and FMA-regulated financial advice, conflict-of-interest red flags, and why you should never rely on unverified social media influencers.
• Residential Build Cost Surge: Breaking down the latest June Cordell Construction Cost Index data from Kelvin Davidson. With build costs accelerating at 3.5% annually, discover how squeezed builder margins impact contract safety, plus how to leverage full LVR and DTI exemptions for new build financing.

🎓 Free Educational Masterclass

Looking to build long-term wealth without falling into risky traps or high-pressure sales pitches? Join financial adviser Debbie Roberts at our next live online event: How to Succeed with Property Investing.

• 100% Independent (We do NOT sell property)
• Zero Sales Pressure
• 👉 Register Free Here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

⚖️ Disclaimer

Property Advice Group Limited (trading as Property Apprentice) is a Licensed Financial Advice Provider under the Financial Markets Authority (FSP157564). The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial or legal advice.

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.

Adult kids moving into $31,000 flatpack studios? Investors completely bypassing Auckland to chase high rental yields down south? The standard New Zealand property playbook is being rewritten right before our eyes! 

In this episode of The Week in Review, Debbie Roberts (owner and financial adviser at Property Apprentice) breaks down the 5 biggest stories you need to know to make smart, risk-reduced property decisions. 

Inside This Episode:

• 📈 Investor Confidence & Regional Shifts: Tony Alexander's latest survey shows landlord confidence stabilizing, with 50% of investor capital targeting Canterbury, Queenstown, Bay of Plenty, and Southland while Auckland lags. 
• 🏠 The Great NZ Rent Divide: National rents are flat at $620/week, but regional micro-markets tell a different story. While Auckland (-1.5%) and Wellington (-0.8%) soften, Otago (+8%), Nelson/Tasman (+7%), and Canterbury (+5.5%) are surging. 
• 🏛️ Crown Co-Ownership Proposals: NZ First revives shared equity housing ideas for first-home buyers. Why Kāinga Ora’s First Home Partner scheme is currently full and why bank serviceability test rates matter more than election headlines. 
• 🔨 The $31K Backyard Pod Boom: With 1 in 3 Kiwi households now housing adult children, new 70sqm consent exemption rules and Bunnings/Elsewhere Pod kitsets are transforming backyard equity. 
• 🚨 Grow Houses & Landlord Insurance: What 17 West Auckland cannabis grow house busts reveal about legal repossession processes, tenant abandonment rules, and mandatory quarterly inspection clauses.

🔗 Free Property Resources & Education

• Register for our next free online event: "How to Succeed with Property Investing" ➡️ www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Why are 10 percent more Kiwi homeowners choosing to rent out their properties rather than sell them? And how did organized crime syndicates convert 17 suburban Auckland rental homes into illegal grow houses right under self-managing landlords' noses?

In Episode 22 of New Zealand Property Insights, financial adviser Debbie Roberts and experienced investor Paul Roberts (Owners of Property Apprentice) break down fresh June 2026 rental market data from realestate.co.nz and examine critical asset security safeguards for property owners.

First, we analyze the nationwide surge in new rental listings (+10% YoY) driven by Kiwis relocating overseas who are choosing to hold onto their properties as a long-term capital buffer. We explore regional extremes including Wairarapa (+67.6%) and Southland (+32.8%), alongside the sharp stock contraction in Wellington (-25.7%).

Next, we break down an urgent warning from police and tenancy experts following the seizure of 1,532 cannabis plants across 17 West Auckland rentals. We expose the subtle vetting red flags that self-managing landlords miss—from failing ID software to fake referees whose voices change across phone calls—while outlining how to perform rigorous due diligence without violating New Zealand's Human Rights Act.

👉 Register for our next FREE Online Educational Masterclass: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

📞 Book a No-Obligation Strategic Consultation: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/free-strategy-call/

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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In this episode of the Week in Review, Debbie Roberts, owner and financial adviser at Property Apprentice, cuts through the noise of policy shifts and headlines to unpack the latest real estate data. 

Despite quiet buyer demand, banks are quietly loosening lending criteria, with a net 36% of advisers reporting bank willingness to advance funds—up from just 2% two months ago. Meanwhile, high-density "park-free" townhouses are creating real-world friction, leading to street parking issues, a $100,000 garage sale in Wellington, and tradies charging up to a 30% premium to access parking-nightmare streets. 

Debbie also breaks down the REINZ June figures to show why the national housing market is holding flat rather than collapsing, examines RBNZ Assistant Governor Karen Silk’s comments on housing wealth channels, and exposes the 6-year vacancy scandal surrounding Kāinga Ora state housing in Strathmore Park. 

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Banks Easing Criteria vs. Buyer Hesitation: Why banks are opening their doors while buyers stay home, and how experienced investors can take advantage of the pre-approval conversion gap. 
• The Park-Free Townhouse Reality: How government deregulation of parking rules in 2021 is backfiring with street parking chaos, tradie access premiums, and developer catch-22s. 
• REINZ June Data & Regional Splits: Why national median prices held steady at $770,000 (+0.7% YoY) and how Canterbury (+4.1% YoY) is outperforming Wellington (-4.5% YoY). 
• RBNZ OCR Hike & Falling Wholesale Swap Rates: Why retail banks face no commercial pressure to raise long-term fixed rates despite the OCR moving to 2.5%. 
• Wellington Ghost Houses: Kāinga Ora’s bureaucratic gridlock in Strathmore Park leaving prime land vacant for up to six years while over 800 people sit on social housing waitlists. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Has New Zealand’s residential property market quietly entered one of the most advantageous buying windows in years?

While political headlines focus on election uncertainties and rising living expenses, fresh economic data shows significant positive momentum for buyers and renters alike. In this episode of NZ Property Insights, financial adviser Debbie Roberts and experienced investor Paul Roberts break down three critical structural, political, and affordability shifts shaping your wealth today.

First, we analyze a groundbreaking survey from Lifetime Retirement Income revealing the severe financial squeeze facing New Zealand seniors on fixed incomes. We discuss why four in ten retirees struggle to afford local council rates, why NZ Superannuation is failing to cover essential daily costs, and how intergenerational pressure is impacting family wealth strategies.

Next, we address the political elephant in the room: the future of interest deductibility. As the election approaches, we analyze the direct financial mechanics of tax deductibility, compare proposed Labour and National policy frameworks, and explore whether a potential tax reversal would actually push weekly rents higher.

Finally, we highlight positive news for prospective buyers: Massey University's latest Home Affordability Report. With national affordability improving by 12.6 percent quarterly and 23.1 percent annually, we examine how falling interest rates, rising incomes, and revised rateable values have opened a tactical sweet spot for buyers before potential OCR adjustments alter the landscape.

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KEY ECONOMIC INSIGHTS COVERED:

• Lifetime Retirement Income Survey: 77 percent of seniors cite cost of living as their top concern, with 40 percent struggling to pay council rates and 40 percent stating NZ Super is insufficient.
• The Generational Dilemma: Why retirees dipping into capital to assist adult children with deposits risk compromising their own long-term financial security.
• Interest Deductibility Mechanics: How full deductibility works on a 40,000 dollar rental income, the 2.9 billion dollar tax collection impact, and why rent prices are ultimately dictated by tenant supply and demand rather than landlord holding costs.
• Infometrics Economic Contribution Data: How residential property investors created 24.8 billion dollars in GDP in 2024 (5.9 percent of national GDP) and sustained 126,000 full-time jobs.
• Massey University Home Affordability Index: National affordability up 12.6 percent quarterly and 23.1 percent annually, driven by a 1.37 percentage point drop in two-year fixed mortgage rates and a 3.49 percent rise in weekly earnings.
• Regional Affordability Winners: Northland led annual gains at 32 percent, followed by Auckland at 25 percent, Wellington at 24.3 percent, and Canterbury at 23.4 percent.

About Property Apprentice: We are a 100 percent independent property education and coaching company in New Zealand. We do not sell property, which means we have zero conflicts of interest. Our only goal is to help everyday Kiwis, first-home buyers, and experienced investors make smart, data-backed decisions.

Subscribe to the podcast, leave a 5-star review, and let us know your thoughts: Are you taking advantage of this current affordability window?

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Is the Reserve Bank's latest interest rate hike a sudden shock to the system, or is it actually the clearest sign yet that the economic fog is finally lifting? 

In this episode of the Week in Review, Debbie Roberts from Property Apprentice breaks down the wave of fresh real estate data for the week ending Friday, 10th of July, 2026. While the mainstream media headlines are busy dancing in panic over the central bank's shift to 2.5%, the underlying economic metrics tell a completely different story—revealing massive silver linings for both property buyers and landlords who look at the numbers with total discipline. 

The Five Core Topics Discussed:

• Topic 1: The Consensus OCR Reduction in Stimulus – Breaking down the RBNZ's unexpected decision to raise the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%, why peak inflation has officially been slashed, and why interest rates may come down faster than bank economists previously projected. 
• Topic 2: The Widening Regional Market Fracture – A deep dive into the latest QV House Price Index showing national values dropping slightly by 0.4%, while the market splits along strict regional lines with Christchurch outperforming Auckland and Wellington. 
• Topic 3: Why "Risky" Properties are Outperforming the Broader Market – Analyzing the bombshell Cotality report revealing that flood-susceptible homes have gained 26.1% in value since 2020—outgrowing unaffected zones as cost-conscious buyers hunt out $100,000 upfront discounts. 
• Topic 4: The Auckland Rental Market Winter Reset – Looking past the headline shock of an 10.9% drop in rental enquiries to reveal why tenant demand remains fundamentally strong year-on-year, and how available stock listings have expanded buyer selection by 10.9%. 
• Topic 5: The Pervasive Fall of Household Interest Costs – Unpacking the latest Westpac household finances chart pack proving that household interest spending has successfully declined for a fifth consecutive quarter, heavily supported by a 3.8% climb in disposable incomes. 

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned

• Free Online Masterclass: Register for the next live stream of "How to Succeed with Property Investing" 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.