Buying a home or an investment is one of the most exciting adventures you can embark on. And amazingly fruitful when the decision is made with some sound reason. There are many things that are un predictable in life, bureaucracy and the council is not one of them. They offer the kind of dry sobering slow train track that you can formulate some plans on.
Unitary Plan
In Auckland we have changed back to the old/new Unitary Plan, which means single house, suburban and more intense zones. Having an understanding of what will be possible on the land becomes gold. The zoning and potential of the site will affect the resale value. There maybe still some changes to come on the plan, so its important to keep abreast. Apart from what might be possible on the site, there should be some awareness of what the neighbor can do. Especially if next door becomes open to multistorey apartments.
Infrastructure
The big difference now is along with the zoning there are a couple of extra factors to consider. Water infrastructure is one – with water care indicating where they have capacity for development and where there could be constraints already or very soon. In the wider context some of these issues will be sorted in the long term – 10-20 years, so less of a factor if you are buying something that you will hold long term – in fact maybe some good buying opportunities.
Flood
Flood maps have been out for a while and they have been having more of an impact now on resale. However I am starting to see buyers look past flood zoning in good areas, especially if there is resolution of past issues or lack of issues affecting the site.
House prices right now
With home buyers quite a bit more active than investors, the median price as reported by REINZ, picked up in May 2026 compared to the previous year. The big moves up coming from Manukau City 5.7% and Auckland City at 2.1%. The actual number of houses changing hands is less than last year but up month on month.
The month on month median house price showed positive momentum in most parts – with Auckland City up 1.7%, Franklin up 1.2%, Manukau up 2.8% and North Shore up 2.5%. Our new trade up calculator.
