Building activity has reached its strongest growth rate in almost 15 years and is up sharply in the latest quarter, but critics say it is still not helping relieve Auckland's housing crisis.

A day after QV released stats showing yet another increase in property values, Auckland realtor Barfoot & Thompson says last month saw a fall in prices, as more properties came on the market.

The biggest investment most retail investors will make is in the residential property market but research is not extensive.

Auckland house values are up by 43.8 per cent on the last boom in 2007 - but a valuer is warning that off-the-plan buyers are not always recovering their money.

The legislation to alter the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal scheme is going through parliament. What does this mean for first home buyers?

The country's biggest off-site house manufacturer, now in receivership, is finishing the work it started at New Zealand's most advanced special housing area.

Average asking prices for houses for country smash through the half-million-dollar barrier for the first time but in Auckland the rampant market is surprising even the experts.

In the last year, Auckland house prices were up 16 per cent and it is expected pressures will build up house prices even more.

Home loans became more affordable last month, with the typical home buyer saving $30 per week on mortgage repayments compared to December.

New Zealand's biggest off-site housing manufacturer received a $287,500 Government grant before Prime Minister John Key opened its Kumeu factory.

Mortgage lenders have noticed an upswing in the number of people withdrawing money from KiwiSaver for a first home.

Pip Smit of the Bay of Plenty's Beachrentals.net.nz was unhappy to discover his Trade Me advertisement to rent a Beach property had been copied and put on to another website.

The expected price for smaller Auckland homes is continuing to increase, with Trade Me reporting a 26.5 per cent jump for properties of one and two bedrooms.

Rentals for the top 10 most popular "Bach Escapes" in Auckland regional parks are going up by 15 per cent, though summer holiday peak rates of $168 to $222 a night are still modest compared with those expected by private owners.

Contestants in Television New Zealand's new hit DIY reality show may face tax bills of many thousands of dollars.

Walt Glazer asks whether Auckland should become the Hong Kong of the South Pacific or remain a Kiwi oasis of security for the future.

Mark Zuckerberg is in a dispute with a property developer who claims the Facebook chief executive broke his promise.

Finance Minister Bill English has responded to a warning about a “sharp correction” in the housing market, saying that skyrocketing house prices “cannot go on forever”.

House-hunters have lost thousands of dollars after paying deposits for Auckland rental properties advertised by overseas scammers.

Twelve more areas in Auckland, Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty have been designated Special Housing Areas, bringing the total to 100, says Housing Minister Nick Smith.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler has hosed down speculation he is minded to cut the official cash rate any time soon, say economists.

New Zealand's first factory turning out finished houses has opened in Wellington, aiming to produce up to 500 places annually.

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler today raised the risk of a "sharp correction" in the Auckland housing market.

Auckland homeowners are finding themselves unable to sell, because they can't find another place to buy due to a listings drought.

New listing activity has started to pick up but unless there are far more than we saw last year then supply is likely to remain less than demand.