Real Estate News & Articles
Hawke’s Bay Racecourse Transformation to Create 600 Homes and Boost Jobs
1 week ago | 86 viewsThe Government is investing over $77 million to relocate the Hastings Racecourse in Hawke’s Bay, freeing up prime land for more than 600 new homes and boosting local housing availability. The new state-of-the-art racecourse will support the racing industry’s $37 million annual economic contribution, create around 270 ongoing jobs, and provide a civil defence centre for the Flaxmere community. During its four-year construction, the project will generate over 400 full-time jobs, supporting regional economic growth while preserving over 150 years of racing heritage.
Tags: Winston Peters Shane Jones Hawke’s Bay Hastings Hawke’s Bay Racing Incorporated New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Incorporated Hastings Racecourse Regional Infrastructure Fund Flaxmere thoroughbred racingKaikōura Waterfront Redevelopment Boosts Tourism and Local Economy
1 week ago | 126 viewsThe completion of Kaikōura’s waterfront redevelopment, including the Wakatu Quay precinct, marks a significant milestone in revitalizing the region’s economy and tourism after the 2016 earthquake. The project features a new marine-inspired building for tourism, hospitality, and cultural events, supported by over $10 million in funding and a partnership between government, local council, iwi, and stakeholders. Constructed within a year by mostly local workers, the redevelopment enhances Kaikōura’s appeal as a destination and is expected to stimulate further private sector growth.
Tags: Kaikōura Shane Jones Wakatu Quay Kaikoura earthquake Regional Development Minister Provincial Growth Fund Kaikoura District Council tourism waterfront redevelopment South IslandNew Zealand's New Planning System to Boost Housing Growth and Homeowner Freedom
2 weeks ago | 396 viewsThe New Zealand Government is overhauling its planning system to address the housing crisis by simplifying rules, increasing land supply, and enabling more competitive urban land markets, thereby making it easier and faster to build homes. The reforms include standardizing zoning nationwide, reducing consent complexities, allowing more development without council approval, and providing clear national direction with ambitious housing growth targets. These changes aim to lower costs, increase housing choice, strengthen property rights, and support sustainable urban expansion, with legislation expected to pass by 2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Government RMA Reform Housing Minister Planning Bill Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth National Policy Statement ParliamentNew Zealand's Planning Reform Boosts Growth, Cuts Costs, and Modernizes Laws
2 weeks ago | 129 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis and RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced a major overhaul of New Zealand’s planning rules aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and income levels by replacing the Resource Management Act with a more efficient, pro-growth system. The reforms, introduced through two new bills—the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill—are projected to save $13.3 billion in costs over 30 years and increase GDP by at least 0.56% annually by 2050, while strengthening property rights and reducing regulatory burdens. The Government plans to pass the legislation by 2026, inviting public input through the Select Committee process.
Tags: Nicola Willis Chris Bishop Simon Court New Zealand Resource Management Act Planning Bill Natural Environment Bill RMA Reform Finance Minister economic growthOur Whare Our Fale: Affordable Homes and Jobs Boost in Eastern Porirua
2 weeks ago | 154 viewsThe Our Whare Our Fale housing programme in Eastern Porirua has completed its first stage, delivering 18 affordable, energy-efficient homes and a communal fale, with plans for up to 300 homes by 2034. The initiative, supported by a $114.6 million government investment and partnerships with local iwi and community groups, creates local jobs and offers financial support measures like shared equity and perpetual land leases to keep homes affordable. This programme aims to strengthen the local economy, promote multigenerational living, and provide families with stable, healthy housing and improved financial security.
Tags: Shane Reti Tama Potaka Central Pacific Collective Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Ministry for Pacific Peoples Ngāti Toa Our Whare Our Fale Pacific Peoples Minister Associate Housing Minister Eastern PoriruaNew Zealand Retirement Village Reforms: Fairness, Clarity, and Resident Protection
3 weeks ago | 128 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing reforms to the Retirement Villages Act to enhance clarity, fairness, and transparency for residents and their families, addressing issues such as repayment delays and legal complexities. Key changes include clearer legal documents, upfront operator disclosures, an independent disputes scheme, and improved financial protections like timely fund repayments and cessation of fees upon vacancy. These balanced reforms, shaped by extensive public feedback, aim to strengthen residents' rights while supporting the sector’s growth and will be introduced to Parliament mid-next year.
Tags: Tama Potaka Casey Costello Retirement Villages Act New Zealand Government retirement villages aged care Retirement Commissioner National – New Zealand First Coalition housing reform residents rights66 of 67 NZ Building Consent Authorities Meet New 3-Day Inspection Target
3 weeks ago | 126 viewsNew regulations require Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) in New Zealand to complete at least 80% of building inspections within three working days, with 66 out of 67 BCAs meeting this target and 97.3% of 67,000 inspections completed on time in Q3. Some BCAs use inspection availability data as an alternative measure, showing 96.2% of inspection slots available within three days, while building consent applications were processed within statutory timeframes at a rate of 95.7%, up from 93% previously. These improvements reflect increased accountability and productivity, reducing delays and costs in construction as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the building consent system.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Consent Authorities BCAs Queenstown Lakes District Council Kāinga Ora BCAL Limited MBIE New Zealand building inspections building consentGovernment and Iwi Sign Agreements for 628 New Homes in Auckland's Carrington Development
3 weeks ago | 124 viewsThe Government and Waiohua-Tāmaki iwi have signed agreements to develop at least 628 homes as part of the Carrington Residential Development in Mt Albert, contributing to a wider 4,000+ home project. This development, on land acquired through the Land for Housing Programme, will include a mix of market, affordable, and social housing alongside amenities such as a supermarket, cafes, and public transport access. Supported by various government initiatives and infrastructure investments, the project aims to address Auckland’s housing needs while promoting sustainable community growth.
Tags: Chris Bishop Carrington Residential Development Te Kukūnga Waka Auckland Land for Housing Programme Unitec Mt Albert Toi and Whetū Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Te Kawerau ā MakiFast-Track Approval Granted for Major Riverhead Housing and Retirement Project
4 weeks ago | 155 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track residential and retirement development in Riverhead, Auckland, by Rangitoopuni Developments Limited, which includes 208 residential allotments, a 296-unit retirement village, public amenities, and wetland protection. The project is expected to inject $708 million into Auckland’s economy and create over 7,000 jobs during its nine-year development. This marks the sixth housing project approved through the Fast-track system, which has now seen 24 projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure to address housing and infrastructure needs.
Tags: Chris Bishop Rangitoopuni Developments Limited Rangitoopuni Auckland Infrastructure Minister Drury Metropolitan Centre Sunfield Masterplanned Community Taranaki VTM Project Waitākere District CourtNew Infrastructure Funding Bill Boosts Housing Growth and Speeds Development
4 weeks ago | 148 viewsThe Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill aims to ease development by enabling upfront financing of growth infrastructure, allowing properties benefiting from development capacity to be levied, thus overcoming council funding constraints. The amendments will broaden project eligibility to include agencies like NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail, remove bureaucratic barriers, and ensure faster decisions with fewer vetoes to accelerate infrastructure delivery. These changes support the Government’s Going for Housing Growth Programme by providing flexible funding tools that help both planned and unplanned infrastructure meet housing demand.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Court Infrastructure Funding and Financing Amendment Bill Milldale Housing Growth New Zealand Transport Agency KiwiRail Infrastructure Funding Development Levy GovernmentNew Zealand Government Advances Infrastructure Funding Reforms to Boost Housing Growth
4 weeks ago | 155 viewsThe New Zealand Government is advancing reforms to improve infrastructure funding and financing to support housing and urban growth, focusing on land supply, infrastructure, and growth incentives through its Going for Housing Growth programme. Key initiatives include introducing the Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) Amendment Bill, replacing development contributions with a new development levies system, and proposing the Commerce Commission as the regulator for development levies to ensure fairness and transparency. Public consultation on these reforms runs until February 2026, aiming to create a flexible, consistent system that enables faster housing development and better infrastructure delivery.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Scott Simpson Housing Minister Local Government Minister Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Infrastructure Funding and Financing Development Levies Commerce Commission New Zealand GovernmentNew Zealand Government Announces Targeted Housing Investment Plan to Address Social Housing Needs
1 month ago | 136 viewsThe Government has introduced a new Housing Investment Plan focused on delivering the right type of homes in the right locations for those in high housing need, based on detailed data analysis and community engagement. Key reforms include fixing Kāinga Ora’s financial and operational inefficiencies, leveling the playing field for Community Housing Providers through reduced borrowing costs, and establishing a Flexible Fund to support diverse housing interventions including affordable rentals. This plan emphasizes targeted investment, competitive procurement, and robust monitoring to improve housing outcomes and ensure effective use of resources in addressing New Zealand’s housing crisis.
Tags: Kāinga Ora Emerge Community Housing Providers Housing Investment Plan Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Housing Register South Auckland Māori providers Flexible Fund Housing RegisterGovernment Unveils Data-Driven Housing Investment Plan for Targeted Social Homes
1 month ago | 169 viewsThe Government has introduced a new Housing Investment Plan that uses detailed data and local insights to allocate funding based on housing needs, focusing on regions with the highest demand such as the Far North, South Auckland, and Eastern Bay of Plenty. From July 2027, a contestable Flexible Fund will replace existing programs, supporting community and Māori housing providers to deliver tailored social housing and affordable rentals that better match the needs of vulnerable groups. The Plan emphasizes transparent procurement, measurable outcomes, and partnerships with local providers to ensure efficient delivery of warm, dry homes with appropriate support, while aiming for equity between community providers and Kāinga Ora.
Tags: Housing Investment Plan Flexible Fund social housing Kāinga Ora community housing providers Māori providers Budget 2025 housing need Mr Bishop affordable rentalsGovernment Reforms Building Research Funding to Boost Innovation and Cut Costs in NZ
1 month ago | 155 viewsThe Government is reforming building research funding by repealing the outdated Building Research Levy Act 1969 and consolidating research funding into the existing building levy under the Building Act 2024 to improve transparency, efficiency, and innovation. The new system will centrally manage funds with sector input, ring-fence research funding for long-term projects, and make funding contestable to broaden access for universities and industry organizations, while reducing costs for consent applicants. These changes aim to enhance accountability, support a more resilient building sector, and contribute to making building easier, more affordable, and supportive of economic growth in New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Research Levy Act Building Research Association of New Zealand BRANZ Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE Building Act 2024 Building Amendment Bill Building Consent Authorities New Zealand Government150+ New Social Homes to Be Delivered in Hawke’s Bay by 2026
1 month ago | 171 viewsHousing Minister Chris Bishop announced that over 150 new social homes will be delivered by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in Hawke’s Bay, targeting one and two-bedroom units to meet the region's greatest demand. The government is investing in a new housing system focused on building the right homes in the right places with appropriate support, backed by funding for more than 2,000 additional homes nationwide over the next two years. These efforts, supported by simplified funding and partnerships with local organizations, aim to address housing shortages efficiently, with some homes already delivered and more expected by mid-2026.
Tags: Chris Bishop Kāinga Ora Emerge Aotearoa Habitat for Humanity Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Ka Uruora Whatever It Takes Trust Hawke’s Bay Matariki Housing Leadership Group Community Housing Providers Ministry of Housing and Urban Development