A $120 million housing project at Weymouth is being touted as a "pathfinder" for what could be New Zealand's first large-scale affordable new housing project in 30 years.

Auckland's economic prospects look the best in seven years, based on labour, housing construction and manufacturing activity.

Renters are paying up to $70 more a week than they were four years ago in some of Auckland's city fringe suburbs.

By this time next year, the first buildings could be going up in Wanaka's single-biggest commercial and residential development.

Major banks are "stress-testing" mortgage borrowers to ensure they will be able to meet repayments when higher interest rates hit.

'There's not a rental shortage, there's a lack of etiquette." Landlords have had enough of the 'feral' behaviour of prospective tenants they're refusing to rent.

National house prices hit a new high of $427,000 last month but new mortgage restrictions and a Christmas slowdown was blamed.

The number of houses sold in NZ fell in December, continuing a trend of a slowing housing market - although the national median sale price rose slightly.

Painstakingly and passionately recreated to pay a grand homage to its original 1940s state this Epsom house is a mix of classical tradition and modern living.

An Auckland man and his family have made nearly $700,000 in profit in four years on a do-up in Mt Eden without making any major renovations.

Auckland residential property values have rocketed by up to 18.6 per cent annually as Waitakere, part of South Auckland and the North Shore lead the charge.

Rising home loan approvals are another sign that the Australian housing recovery is in full swing, making another cash rate cut unlikely.

Apartments could be the answer for financially strapped Aucklanders trying to get into the property market as the number of apartment building projects soars.

Like a spaceship taking off after a quick visit, Raglan's Futuro house is off to a new destination.

It's a time of year when Kiwis traditionally head to the beaches and lakes to enjoy some rest and recreation.

When John Key bought his holiday home on Omaha's Success Court 23 years ago, he probably had no idea how apt the street name would turn out to be.

A real estate agency dealing with Asian-based investors is scouring Auckland and the upper North Island for properties to keep up with the demand from buyers.

Pop star Daniel Bedingfield has sold his Auckland western fringe rental home for $1.361 million at auction.

Residents of an inner-Auckland pensioner flat complex are shocked that their landlord Housing NZ is trying to interest developers in a real estate deal.

A century-old villa in Herbert Rd, built for Sir Edmund Hillary's grandmother, will be removed by the end of next month so it can be replaced with townhouses.

New Zealanders are increasingly in favour of modern houses, putting energy efficiency and sunny rooms before the character of old villas.

The rampant house price inflation which has pushed the dream of home ownership out of reach for thousands of New Zealanders is probably over, says English.

Auckland house and apartment building is at a 5-year high, with nearly 5700 dwelling consents issued in the year to October.

Experts say planned construction good for buyers despite use of some prime areas.

An 8.6 per cent stake in giant listed landlord and Sylvia Park owner Kiwi Income Property Trust is now in play.

An Auckland resident has come up with a novel answer to the problem of unmowed berms - planting a corn patch.

The next big financial disaster to hit New Zealand investors could involve a collapse in house prices or the sharemarket, says departing investment watchdog boss Sean Hughes.

A builder demolished a leaky Onehunga property he bought for $440,000, shifted a 105-year-old worker's cottage on to the site and got $924,500 for the renovated home.