Housing
Foreign home-buyer ban plan still strong - David Parker
Economic Development and Trade Minister David Parker tells Susie Ferguson the planned foreign home-buyers ban is still strong, and necessary. He points to central Auckland as an example of high… Audio
Property Industry urges govt to scrap foreign buyers ban
The property industry wants the government to go further and dump its proposed ban on foreign buyers. Yesterday the government softened the rules. The new draft of the Overseas Investment Amendment… Audio
Tower defends house insurance premium hikes
Tower Insurance is defending massive hikes in house insurance premiums for some home owners. Yesterday a Wellington woman told us she was stunned when her annual premium on her house insurance went up… Audio
Foreign home-buyers ban 'unnecessary' - Property Institute
The property industry wants the government to go further and dump its proposed ban on foreign house buyers. Yesterday the government softened the rules. The new draft of the Overseas Investment… Audio
Soaring premiums could lead to under-insuring of homes
Homeowners are being warned not to run the risk of under-insuring their homes in a bid to avoid paying for rising premiums.
Why your house could cost more to insure than your neighbour
Home owners may end up paying thousands more for insurance premiums than the house next door, as insurance firms increasingly use technology that assesses an individual property's risk. Audio
Govt loosens foreign house buyer ban
The government has agreed to loosen its foreign house buyer ban, and will now exempt all Singaporean purchasers, and anyone who buys apartments off the plan. MPs considering the legislation have… Audio
Government relaxes rules on foreign buyer ban
The government's overseas buyers' ban on New Zealand homes has been softened, with some multi-storey apartment buildings now being exempted.
Tax change could knock house prices markedly
A change to tax rules for property investment could have a significant effect on house prices according to a Westpac Bank research study. Audio
Claim changes to overseas investment bill make it more complex
Proposed changes to rules for foreigners buying property in this country are workable but complicated, according to a property investment lawyer. Audio
Retailers pull ionisation smoke alarms after tests
Major retailers have decided not to stock ionisation smoke alarms after testing showed they give much less warning of smouldering fires, a consumer watchdog says.
Cap gains would cut house prices, increase ownership - study
Introducing a capital gains tax would cause house prices to fall, rents to rise but home ownership rates would improve, a new study shows.
Changes to government ban on foreign buyers
The finance and expenditure select committee looking at the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill has recommended some significant changes giving overseas investors more leeway to put money into New… Audio
Higher quality KiwiBuild homes will save money - Eaqub
Constructing Kiwibuild homes to a standard higher than the building code could save New Zealanders $330 million over 30 years. But the up-front cost could be more than double that for the 100,000… Audio
KiwiBuild: Sustainable homes would save millions - report
The government's being told to build its Kiwibuild homes sustainably as that would save hundreds of millions of dollars over time for those living in them. A new report has found if the proposed… Audio
Wellington couple in shock over massive insurance hike
A Wellington couple are trying to figure out why the premium for their house insurance has soared from just over $2,000 a year to more than $7,000. Tower warned in April that customers in quake prone… Audio
KiwiBuild: Govt advised to 'break cycle' and build sustainably
The government's flagship KiwiBuild housing project could save millions of dollars if homes are built sustainably, a report says.
Homeless mums afraid to seek help for fear of losing their kids
A Whangārei grandmother (pictured) who has been finding homes for the homeless says she's worried about mothers hiding the fact that they're homeless, out of fear they will lose their children.
Re-housing Hawaii volcano victims a long term challenge
Housing Hawaii evacuess long term will be an ongoing challenge. Audio
Dorothy Adams: social housing as a social investment
When the government set up the Social Investment Agency almost a year ago, there were plenty of questions around what it would actually do. Dorothy Adams is the acting chief executive of the agency… Audio
