It will be like the United Nations on The Block come Christmas time when the new owners of the houses made famous on the TV3 renovation series move in.

John Key has admitted he had to be persuaded to back off his bid to press the Reserve Bank into exempting first-home buyers from the banks' new loan rules.

New Zealanders spend more of their income on housing than any other developed country in the OECD apart from heavily indebted Greece, a report reveals.

Real estate agents do not foresee a big drop in Auckland house prices as a result of new Reserve Bank lending curbs.

Future stages of Auckland's biggest new housing estate could be delayed because of a planning regulation clash.

The winners of The Block say they think the other homes on the TV3 series were "an absolute steal'' at last night's auction.

In need of an extensive paint job and a garden makeover, this run-down three-bedroom Grey Lynn villa has sold for $1.215 million.

An Auckland man is furious his pre-approved home loan was withdrawn less than 24 hours after he called his bank and was assured the deal was sound.

Lawyer first port of call for grandparent bequests but KiwiSaver offers options for supporting grandchildren, writes Helen Twose.

Deborah Hill Cone's experience has left her even less on board with the national handwringing over heteronormative young couples and their high lifestyle expectations.

A woman who faced losing her home after letting her son keep a total of $11 million of alleged drug money in her lounge has abandoned the property to join him overseas.

House rental prices in Auckland could rise up to 50 per cent in some areas because new mortgage lending restrictions are pushing would-be home owners to rent.

The Reserve Bank yesterday confirmed it has agreed to re-examine its new mortgage lending restrictions if data shows they are crimping the supply of new homes.

Auckland's Alexandra Park could be the scene of more than $110 million of commercial and residential developments over the next decade.

A marina village is proposed for a "wasted" island which is a 10-minute ferry ride across Waitemata Harbour from the Auckland CBD.

Treasury suggested introducing a capital gains tax and restrictions on foreign buyers as part of a long term prescription to curb house price increases, documents released today show.

Auckland's largest new housing estate has planning approval.

Two families have been accused of blocking a hapu from developing its coastal Northland property say they are out to protect the environment.

Would you rather a house in Auckland, or an island? We look at 10 private islands around the world that are cheaper than a home in NZ's biggest city.

Aucklanders seeking new, upmarket and apartment-style homes will be able to see what's on offer as part of a project designed to ease Auckland's housing problems.

Aucklanders are paying premium prices for average houses to be close to the city and good school zones.

Former All Black and radio host Marc Ellis has the green light to build a luxury beach house overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.

As fans of The Block flocked in for their first look inside the newly renovated houses yesterday, the contestants moved back to their real homes to await the auction.

A new website allows Auckland house-hunters to find their perfect neighbourhood by searching by lifestyle preference.

Drug-detecting dogs are running through the hallways, reception areas and carparks of Parnell's The Mirage apartments.