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Housing

First home buyers are having a moment. (Photo: Nazar Abbas/Getty Images)

First home buyers have taken over the housing market

Long considered the minnows of the property market, first home buyers are now buying more houses than investors, movers or upgraders.
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By Joel MacManus | 10th September, 2026
Senior writer
New York mayor Zohran Mamdani (right), one of many international politicians looking to NZ for answers to the housing crisis, and housing minister Chris Bishop. (Photos: Getty Images. Composite image: The Spinoff)

Why the world thinks New Zealand solved the housing crisis

From Zohran Mamdani to the Financial Times, international media and politicians seem to think NZ has fixed housing affordability. Um… what?
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By Joel MacManus | 9th September, 2026
Senior writer
Green MP Tamatha Paul has thrown around some accusations about rental housing. (Image: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Tamatha Paul got her property facts wrong – and I’m in the middle of it

I think I can explain what’s going on.
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By Joel MacManus | 2nd September, 2026
Senior writer
Chris Bishop, the minister for nearly everything. (Photo: The Spinoff)
Opinion

Chris Bishop moves fast. It’s his super power and Achilles heel

He’s powerful and polarising and he would really like his mic to work.
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By Joel MacManus | 26th June, 2026
Senior writer
Hayden Hohaia outside his home at Te Aro Pā. (Photo: Supplied)

How the government plans to ‘unlock’ papakāinga on Māori land

A raft of changes are being introduced with the aim of reducing cost and consent barriers to building on whenua Māori.
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By Liam Rātana | 16th June, 2026
Ātea editor
The debate is between fewer apartments and way fewer apartments. (Image: Tina Tiller)
Opinion

Auckland Council’s culture of less

Auckland's councillors will today weigh up a difficult choice between fewer apartments and way fewer apartments.
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By Hayden Donnell | 9th June, 2026
Senior writer
NZ First MP Andy Foster claimed a taxpayer subsidy on his Karori home. (Graphic: The Spinoff)

NZ First MP Andy Foster claims $36k top-up to stay in home he’s owned for 26 years

The former Wellington mayor says he claims the accommodation subsidy because 'the cost of owning a home in Wellington is not cheap'.
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By Joel MacManus | 27th May, 2026
Senior writer
Act MP Parmjeet Parmar and National MP Katie Nimon led the way in acquiring new rental properties this term. Image: Joel MacManus

Government MPs acquired 25 extra investment properties after passing pro-landlord reforms

From new rentals to redevelopments, some coalition MPs have been upping their ownership of residential properties.
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By Joel MacManus | 27th May, 2026
Senior writer
How car parks became a new frontline in the intensification war

How car parks became a new frontline in the intensification war

An obscure regulation that makes a surprisingly big difference to the future of New Zealand cities is now under review.
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By Joel MacManus | 16th March, 2026
Senior writer
With Auckland and Christchurch ‘awash’ with new townhouses, some listings are remaining unsold for so long that they stop qualifying as new builds. (Photo: Getty Images)

The great townhouse slowdown

How a 'truckload' of new townhouses – especially in Christchurch and Auckland – is reshaping the housing market.
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By Catherine McGregor | 26th February, 2026
Commercial editor
Are more storms coming for Airbnb and other short-term accomodation providers? (Image: The Spinoff)

Is 2026 the year New Zealand councils crack down on Airbnb operators?

They're supposed to pay higher rates and abide by the rules, but many don't – which critics say exacerbates housing shortages.
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By Shanti Mathias | 9th February, 2026
Contributing writer
The rent is too damn high. Or too damn cheap. Or something.

Rent is getting cheaper. Here’s why that’s not necessarily a good thing

No, New Zealand has not magically transformed into a more equitable place for the young, poor and disenfranchised.
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By Joel MacManus | 3rd February, 2026
Senior writer
Wellington’s most controversial apartment block isn’t going down quietly – or quickly.

Why Wellington’s Gordon Wilson flats won’t go down until 2027

Chris Bishop was planning to have swung into the decrepit building via wrecking ball by now. What’s the hold-up?
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By Lyric Waiwiri-Smith | 28th January, 2026
Politics reporter
Plan Change 120 will allow taller buildings across Auckland.

The housing reform that will reshape Auckland: Plan Change 120, explained

Auckland is making a major change to its planning rules which could enable millions of new homes.
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By Joel MacManus | 15th January, 2026
Senior writer
The actual photo of the actual house from the actual real estate listing. Not the actual buyers.

My crummy old flat, with my crummy old furniture, just sold for $1,980,000

No insulation, flaking paint, questionable pipes and all my old furniture and artwork. At the auction, bidding was competitive. 
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By Gabi Lardies | 9th January, 2026
Contributing writer
Minister for RMA reform Chris Bishop.
Opinion

Chris Bishop is the minister for abundance

After two years of major housing, infrastructure and planning reforms, Chris Bishop may have done more for the abundance agenda than any other politician on the planet.
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By Joel MacManus | 10th December, 2025
Senior writer
Could rail (light or heavy) break through the lines of traffic in Ōtautahi? (Image: Shanti Mathias/The Spinoff)

Christchurch is growing. How can it avoid the traffic trap?

Rail could save Canterbury from carmageddon – before it's too late.
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By Shanti Mathias | 1st December, 2025
Contributing writer
Will the government force homeless people from the city centre to the suburbs? (Photo: David Jensen)
Opinion

The government’s homelessness ‘ban’ may not be as ridiculous as it sounds

The only cure for homelessness is homes, but responsible policing plays an important role in manage the symptoms.
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By Joel MacManus | 12th November, 2025
Senior writer
The Pacifica apartments in Auckland are an example of houses that people live in.

What new population data reveals about why some cities are growing and others aren’t

Detailed data analysis by The Spinoff reveals an incredible true fact: people live in houses.
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By Joel MacManus | 5th November, 2025
Senior writer
Inside the Canadian apartments redefining indigenous housing

Inside the Canadian apartments redefining indigenous housing

Joel MacManus visits Vancouver, where a First Nation is building a massive complex of apartment towers on its reserve land, with no city council approval required. Could this be the future of iwi-led housing in Aotearoa?
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By Joel MacManus | 3rd November, 2025
Senior writer

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The Spinoff is subject to NZ Media Council procedures. A complaint must first be directed in writing, within one month of publication, via our contact page. If not satisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz along with a link to the relevant story and all correspondence with the publication.

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