Real Estate News & Articles
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New Infrastructure Funding Bill Boosts Housing Growth and Speeds Development
25 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 994 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
25 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1031 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
20 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 913 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
20 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 958 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
19 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1004 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
19 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1050 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 DevelopmentRotorua Ends Contracted Emergency Housing Motels, Rehomes All Families
19 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 987 viewsThe Government has ended the use of Contracted Emergency Housing motels in Rotorua, reducing households in CEH from over 240 to zero through coordinated efforts with local partners. This marks a significant turnaround from a previously broken emergency housing system that caused social and economic harm, restoring safety and stability to the city. Ongoing initiatives, including new affordable rental homes, aim to strengthen Rotorua’s housing supply and support its economic growth.
Tags: Tama Potaka Rotorua HUD MSD Ngāti Whakaue Te Arawa Visions of a Helping Hand WERA Aotearoa Emerge Aotearoa Rotorua Lakes CouncilNew Pet-Friendly Rental Laws Enhacted for Tenants and Landlords
29 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1217 viewsStarting from December 1, 2025, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will provide tenants with pets more rental property options, as announced by Housing Minister Chris Bishop, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. The new policy introduces a pet bond system allowing landlords and tenants to lodge, top-up, or refund pet bonds, aiming to facilitate pet-friendly rentals and benefit both tenants and landlords. The reforms emphasize the importance of fairness, trust, and supporting a well-functioning rental property market, with a focus on practical solutions that cater to the needs of renters and property owners alike.
Tags: Government Residential Tenancies Act Housing Minister Chris Bishop Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka tenants landlords pet bonds system rental marketNew Regulations Ease Building Restrictions for Garden Sheds and Garages
24 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1255 viewsHomeowners building garden sheds, sleepouts, or garages now face less red tape and delays as the setback distance requirements have been revised. The minimum distance between single-storey buildings under 10 square meters and property boundaries or other buildings has been removed, while the setback distance for buildings between 10 and 30 square meters has been reduced to one meter. These changes aim to make it easier for property owners to construct practical structures without the need for building consent, aligning with efforts to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and improve building affordability and accessibility.
Tags: Changes homeowners garden sheds sleepouts garages red tape Regulation Minister David Seymour Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk setback distance building consentKaikohe Affordable Housing Project: 100 Homes to Bring Stability and Opportunities
21 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1644 viewsAn Iwi - Crown partnership in Kaikohe will deliver 100 affordable rental homes, providing stability and pride for whānau while creating local jobs and opportunities. The Bisset Road development, backed by Government and Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi funding, will address housing challenges and improve health outcomes for the community. This project is part of the larger Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga initiative aiming to develop over 400 affordable rentals for Māori by 2027, showcasing successful collaboration between Iwi and Government in creating sustainable housing solutions.
Tags: Tama Potaka Kaikohe Iwi Crown partnership Te Tai Tokerau Ngāpuhi Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga Māori Government Bisset Road.New Regulations for Managing Methamphetamine Residue in Rental Properties: What Tenants and Landlords Need to Know
08 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1290 viewsAssociate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announces new regulations for managing methamphetamine residue in rental properties to provide clarity and safety for both tenants and landlords. The rules establish contamination thresholds, procedures for testing and decontamination, and guidelines for handling abandoned goods in affected properties. Extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders has informed the development of these regulations, which are set to take effect next year to improve safety and transparency in the rental market.
Tags: Tama Potaka tenants landlords methamphetamine residue rental properties regulations decontamination testing contamination New Zealand StandardNew Regulations for Managing Methamphetamine Residue in Rental Properties
08 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1213 viewsAssociate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announces new regulations for managing methamphetamine residue in rental properties, aiming to provide clarity and safety for both landlords and tenants. The regulations set clear guidelines for contamination levels, decontamination requirements, and tenant options when residue levels exceed certain thresholds. Extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders has informed the development of these regulations, which are expected to be implemented next year.
Tags: Tama Potaka tenants landlords methamphetamine residue rental properties regulations decontamination testing New Zealand Standard 8510:2017 contaminationGovernment-iwi Partnership to Deliver 80 Affordable Rental Homes in Rotorua by 2027
02 Oct 2025 | 11 months ago | 1782 viewsThe Government and Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc are partnering to build 80 affordable rental homes at Manawa Gardens in Rotorua by mid-2027, with a total investment of $45 million. These homes aim to provide housing security for kaumātua, working whānau, and others in need, with rents capped at 80% of market rates for 25 years. This initiative is part of the broader commitment to deliver 400 affordable rental homes for Māori across New Zealand by 2027, aiming to address housing pressures and transition away from emergency motels.
Tags: Tama Potaka Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc Manawa Gardens Rotorua affordable rental homes housing Māori whānau Associate Housing MinisterCHFA Launches $200 Million Bonds to Boost Affordable Housing Supply
24 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1389 viewsHousing Minister Chris Bishop commends the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) for launching $200 million in A+ rated bonds, making cheaper lending available for Community Housing Providers (CHPs) to deliver more social and affordable homes. The social bonds were well received by investors, demonstrating confidence in supporting social and affordable housing in New Zealand. The government is supporting CHPs by funding over 2,000 social homes and backing CHFA with a $150 million lending facility to help reduce borrowing costs and enable the delivery of more homes for less.
Tags: Chris Bishop Community Housing Funding Agency CHFA social bonds affordable housing social homes Community Housing Providers New Zealand Kāinga Ora financingRevitalizing the Property Sector: Updates on Market Cycles, Innovative Ideas, and Growth Opportunities in Queenstown
03 Sep 2025 | 1 year ago | 1261 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude for being at an event in Queenstown hosted by the Property Council, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in the property industry. They acknowledge the challenges faced by the construction and property sectors due to inflation and economic cycles but highlight government initiatives to support recovery, including reforms to streamline building processes. The speaker outlines key pillars of the Going for Housing Growth program and upcoming Resource Management Act reforms aimed at facilitating development and addressing infrastructure needs, concluding with a mention of City and Regional Deals as strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and housing development.
Tags: Leonie Freemen Minister Penk Shamubeel Eaqub Simplicity Reserve Bank Property Council Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth Development Levies Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act