Asking prices for property in New Zealand reached an all-time high last month, according to new figures.

About one in six Australians cannot afford to rent a home, with young families - especially single parents with children - among the worst affected, new reports show.

Renters moving into popular central Auckland suburbs have had some relief, with rental costs levelling off or falling slightly.

Commercial, industrial and retail properties sales last year totalled more than $1.4 billion - but deals this year could be higher, says a property market expert.

New Zealand's richest man has completed a huge new three-level banquet hall with pool and piazza area at his Auckland clifftop property.

The head of Auckland's main landlord group says TV2's Sunday night Renters reflects reality.

The number of sales in Auckland suburbs typically considered less desirable are growing at a faster rate than their usually sought-after neighbours.

Auckland homeowners could become about $24 billion richer under Auckland Council's proposed Unitary Plan as the value of sections will shoot up.

Statistics New Zealand has taken the pulse of the country's homes in its nationwide New Zealand General Social Survey.

A formerly state house-dominated street in Sandringham is set for major redevelopment after seven large sections were sold to a developer for more than $8 million.

Lynette O'Brien supports intensification of Papatoetoe so long as it is not like the "concrete jungle" of stucco townhouses in Shirley Rd.

Business editor Liam Dann is stumped as to what possible benefit the rise in the value of his house offers him.

Bernard Hickey says gums have been flappin' aplenty this week over the dangers of a housing boom.

Finance Minister Bill English used a pre-Budget speech to say the Government will act to curb rising house prices which represent a risk to New Zealand's economic recovery.

The number of New Zealand house sales rose to a six-year high last month and prices touched a new record.

Housing valuations are the highest in seven years, prompting a slowdown in the market as some buyers hold off until prices become more affordable.

Climbing house prices and a growing proportion of lending at high loan-to-value ratios are stoking fears at the Reserve Bank of a boom followed by a destructive bust.

Kiwibank has today reduced its one-year home loan rate by 26 basis points and withdrawn a six-month special promotion.

Investors could soon be invited to put money into a new fund to buy Auckland residential property.

House buyers and sellers are more protected from dodgy agent dealings than before.

When Gaylene Mackereth left her home in Howick on a trip to the beach with her granddaughter recently, she paid a bit more attention than usual to the houses they passed.

The average New Zealand home owner could pick themselves up a lovely four-bedroom farm house in Brittany, France, or perhaps a 40-bedroom hotel in Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria.

Auckland house prices are predicted to rise a further 12 per cent over the next year, with the nationwide average jumping almost $40,000 by the end of the year.

British ministers came under fire over benefit cuts as the independent body representing 1200 English housing associations described the controversial bedroom tax as bad policy.

Large parts of the country's building stock will be off-limits for disabled people under a proposal to trim the cost of upgrading thousands of earthquake-prone buildings, advocacy groups have warned.

Hobsonville is the sort of public-private partnership that when it comes to roads and schools buildings, this Government actively promotes, writes Brian Rudman.