Plans by the Labour Party to exclude foreign buyers from the housing market have sparked more calls for restrictions and warnings about the risk of damaging the country's relationships with its major trading partners.

Editorial: If foreign restrictions will help first-home seekers - and we should be sure of that first - they could be one of many policy levers used.

Westpac has launched a service allowing family members to help first-home buyers into properties.

Prime Minister John Key says Labour's new housing policy smacks of desperation by leader David Shearer.

Labour's housing policy to restrict house sales to foreigners could be at odds with New Zealand's Free Trade Agreement with China.

A law change to allow the Government to override councils in order to free up land for housing developments was opposed by a slim majority of New Zealanders surveyed.

Labour leader David Shearer says he "makes no apologies" for his party's proposal to exclude all offshore buyers from the New Zealand housing market.

It's risky policy for a liberal, left-of-centre party because it leaves them open to accusations of xenophobia, writes Liam Dann.

Ponsonby chartered accountant Hongying Qiu was in and out of 11 Farrar St in Grey Lynn within 10 minutes yesterday afternoon.

The Reserve Bank governor has kept the official cash rate at 2.5 per cent, though he'll mull a hike if the momentum in housing spurs broader inflation.

Ngati Whatua Orakei have $24 million plans to build up to 75 houses and apartments alongside Bastion Pt, underwriting mortgages for whanau to assist home ownership.

Precinct Properties NZ, with 10 Wellington office blocks worth more than $600 million, has been hammered by insurance premium rises.

The Prime Minister says first home buyers remain 'a priority' for the govt, but he's stopped short of endorsing a suggestion from one of his ministers.

Even for certain traditional naysayers there is an acceptance that a CGT is an inevitable part of our future tax landscape, writes Thomas Pippos.

Sleepouts built in China are due to arrive in New Zealand in containers in the next two months.

Fletcher Developments wants new houses to be taller than the Auckland Council is proposing.

Financial markets see almost no chance Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler will move the official cash rate from its all-time low of 2.5 per cent.

First-time home buyers struggling to scrape together a deposit may soon be given a lending hand through changes to the KiwiSaver scheme.

The number of single New Zealanders able to afford a home has plummeted compared to couples, says a Treasury paper.

Alyssa Longville says it'd be impossible to buy a home in Auckland without the help of her fiance, Callum Carter.

Fletcher Building is making a big push into Auckland's apartment development market, forming specialist new division Fletcher Developments this year to hunt down opportunities on big sites.

Auckland houses could soon arrive off assembly lines as the country's biggest construction business ponders factory-prefabricated houses.

The relocation of houses for TV show The Block NZ has upset neighbours, who say they are being robbed of sunshine and privacy.

If you're looking to buy in central Auckland but don't want to settle for apartment living, the unusual cottage above might be just what you're after.

If John Key was genuine in his concern about being disadvantaged relative to property investors he could legislate to reduce the tax advantages, writes Brian Fallow.

Many properties around Whangarei are being bought by Aucklanders as house hunters look north because of high prices in the city.

Kiwi house buyers can now get a mortgage on their cellphones - a first for New Zealand and Australia.

NZ should adopt Australia's more restrictive approach to foreigners buying houses, says an economist.

Peter Bae and his mother have arrived at Barfoot & Thompson's central Auckland auction rooms to bid on the home at 504 Swanson Rd, Ranui.