Christchurch stories
Record-low losses and near-universal gains in New Zealand’s housing market are being driven by tight supply, strong demand and cheap borrowing.
The government’s plan could cut household costs, but councils fear losing control over water assets as a 30-year fix is pursued.
The bill could unlock up to 105,500 extra homes in major cities by letting most sites add three storeys without resource consents.
The rollout begins in Auckland hospitals and for travellers, as ministers face criticism for delaying quicker Covid detection by over a year.
Businesses facing port delays will gain extra freight capacity as KiwiRail adds a weekday Auckland-Christchurch service from early October.
Westland is the country's most affordable area, with house prices at just 3.2 times income and rent and deposits well below national norms.
Nearly half the reports involved firms that may have been open illegally, as WorkSafe reviewed 582 alleged Covid-19 breaches.
Affordability pressures are starting to bite, with Hamilton and Rotorua both posting quarterly falls after a rapid run-up in values.
Online property traffic is staying strong during New Zealand's Level 4 lockdown, as buyers browse listings and sellers turn to virtual appraisals.
Trainees in Christchurch will get hands-on skills and employer mentoring as the sector tries to fill New Zealand’s infrastructure shortage.
A Christchurch manufacturer has been fined NZD $275,000 after toxic vapour from a trial went on to poison a worker and trigger a four-month recovery.
Borrowers face tighter lending rules as the Reserve Bank moves to curb risky loans amid house values rising 1.8% in July.
WorkSafe says the death could have been avoided after the trainee was left unsupervised while learning to use the crane in Christchurch.
Values are already falling in Gisborne, New Plymouth and Napier as nationwide house-price growth cools and rate rises loom.
Critics warn the draft overhaul could leave consenting slower and housebuilding harder, despite ministers promising a leaner planning regime.
The report urges ministers to curb speculation, strengthen tenant rights and expand social housing after finding the crisis breaches basic rights.
Cheaper provincial suburbs have driven New Zealand's property boom, with Manunui up 51.8% and Hargest selling in just six days.
The funding will create hundreds of jobs and lift freight reliability as ageing locomotives and wagons are replaced nationwide.
Hundreds of Southbase Construction staff have gained digital badges as standardised micro-learning helps lift consistency, safety and promotion prospects.
Government help may be needed as first-time purchasers’ share of the market falls to its lowest level since 2018, CoreLogic says.
