Poor workmanship has forced inspectors to double the number of random checks and introduce tougher penalties under the Govt's popular home insulation scheme.

An artist's impression of the Mahina house design for a possible property on Kawau Island.

A futuristic mansion worthy of a Bond movie is tipped to divide a small island community.

A convicted German computer hacker is believed to be the secret buyer of the $30m Chrisco mansion.

Where you'll live, what sort of house you'll have and how much it'll cost will be influenced by reforms that promise more affordable housing.

Allegations that a Housing New Zealand (HNZ) staff member has been taking bribes is not the first claim of its kind, says a tenant advocate.

The volume of houses sold nationally last month plunged 17 per cent and the market has slipped.

The dream of first home ownership will be made easier by Prime Minister John Key's likely tax reforms, economists said today.

The status quo for property investors cannot be sustained, Tax Working Group member John Shewan says.

The vice-president of the Property Investors Federation is relieved that most housing tax options were ruled out in Prime Minister John Key's speech yesterday, but he is wary of what is to come.

After months of debate and speculation the Govt will finally reveal its plans for tax reform tomorrow.

The usual January jump in property sales has not happened and potential tax changes could be to blame.

New Zealand's most expensive home the $30 million "Chrisco" mansion is understood to have finally sold.

There is still 18 months to go - but sharp homeowners are already queuing up to rent out their properties during the Rugby World Cup.

As the vitriol builds against property investors it's becoming increasingly clear that there will be many innocent bystanders injured by the mooted changes to tax law.

The Auckland housing market slowed sharply in January with house prices and sales both well down.