2025

Auckland, NZ –  - If you are planning a build or renovation in New Zealand, the landscape has just shifted dramatically. In a major announcement today, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk confirmed the final piece of the government's sweeping building reforms: mandatory home warranties and tougher penalties for shoddy workmanship. This announcement caps off a year of...

Auckland, NZ –  – Auckland is currently experiencing its most intensive and largest-scale construction boom in a decade, with tens of billions of dollars being poured into transformative projects across the region. From the nascent coastal city of Beachlands South to the industrial core of Wiri, and extending to growth hubs like Westgate, East Tāmaki, and Drury, the city's landscape and economic...

Auckland, NZ – New Zealand's approach to urban development and housing intensification is evolving, particularly within its major urban centres. At the forefront of this evolution are the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), a government initiative designed to increase housing supply. However, in Auckland, the application of these rules is undergoing a significant reassessment, driven by a new...

Wellington, NZ – The New Zealand Labour Party has once again brought the contentious issue of a capital gains tax (CGT) to the forefront of national discourse, announcing a significantly refined policy that aims to address wealth inequality and housing affordability without impacting the cherished family home. This detailed report explores the nuances of Labour's proposed CGT, its economic and...

Goods and Services Tax (GST) in New Zealand is a broad-based consumption tax applied to most goods and services, currently at a rate of 15%. While seemingly straightforward, its application to real estate transactions in New Zealand can be complex, impacting everyone from individual homeowners to large-scale developers and commercial investors. This article delves into the nuances of GST in various real...

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) legislation significantly impacts the New Zealand real estate sector, encompassing both property purchases and commercial leases. The primary aim of the AML/CFT Act 2009 is to detect and deter money laundering and terrorism financing, thereby protecting New Zealand's financial system and international reputation. The Scope of...

WELLINGTON, 1 September 2025 — The Government has unveiled changes to New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus(AIP) programme, offering wealthy migrants new opportunities to purchase residential property and invest in housing development. The update allows overseas investors who hold or obtain an investor residence visa to buy or build one home worth at least NZ$5 million, a move aimed at...

Foreign Buyers of NZ Property: What’s Allowed Today New Zealand law strongly limits overseas buyers of property. In general, foreign persons cannot buy existing homes or rural land unless they first get permission from the government. The Overseas Investment Act (OIA) requires most overseas property purchases to be approved by the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) in Land Information NZ. Under the...

Auckland, NZ – For many New Zealanders, the dream of a new home is a significant life investment. But as the keys are handed over, a complex web of warranties and insurance policies comes into play, often leaving homeowners unsure of their true protection. A recent analysis sheds light on the critical distinctions between statutory implied warranties, specialized builder guarantees like Master Build and...

Discover stylish new 3-bed, 3-bath townhouses in Mt Wellington. Limited-time discounts, from $45K deposit. First Home Buyer event this Saturday.