Housing

Labour and the Greens have rubbished the government's turnaround plan for state housing, saying it will only make more people homeless.

Average values have fallen sharply over three years, according to latest official valuations.

The Housing Minister says the total number of social houses will not reduce under the government's shake-up.

The exchange between Neil Holdom and regional public service commissioner, Gloria Campbell, began in late 2022.

More than 34,000 properties were for sale in January as buyers waited for interest rates to come back down. Audio

KiwiSaver money can generally only be withdrawn when someone buys a first house or retires - except for particular exemptions.

In much of the country, there's evidence that the bottom of the market has been reached. "The question is what happens next."

ANZ expects house prices to rise 6 percent over this year.

For more than a decade, the government agency has used nylon carpet due to its durability and price.

Wellington and Christchurch also saw price differences exceeding $1 million last year, new data shows. Audio

The printer arm moves around building up layers, says one of those involved in the country's first 3D printed show home.

The Greens say the change is abhorrent and experience overseas shows it results in more homelessness.

Sarah says it seems unfair she owes the money over a short stint she spent outside the country.

The drop in interest costs for affected households could be dramatic, an economist says.