Real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson says the approaching general election is likely responsible for a drop in the umber of house sales.
Sales in August fell by 7.5 percent to 909 and the average selling price fell by 1.1 percent to $711,768.
Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson said the drop was expected as the market goes quiet in the build up to the election.
"Buying or selling a house represents a major financial decision, and without certainty people put that decision on hold.
"It means the normal lift in market activity we see with the approach of spring is still some weeks off.