HomeRun x Realestate.co.nz

The global economy, interest rates, and government policy continue to shape the New Zealand property market. In this episode of Home Run, we sit down with Kelly Eckhold, Chief Economist at Westpac, to explore what lies ahead for New Zealand homeowners, buyers, and investors over the coming years. From interest rate expectations, inflation pressures, and regional performance splits to AI data center energy demands, construction trends, and election-year policy uncertainties, we take a deep dive into the forces driving the economy and housing market.In this episode:• Why interest rates shifted earlier than expected and where they are heading• The impact of persistent global and domestic core inflation• Regional housing market divergence: Why provincial centers are outperforming urban centers• Modest house price growth expectations and the key downside risks• Political policy differences and potential housing tax impacts in an election year• How global energy market volatility and domestic supply affect inflation forecasts• The surge of AI data centers in NZ and their massive electricity demand• Future power price expectations and renewable energy investment needs• Why global interest rate cycles impact NZ mortgage rates independently of the OCR• Construction recovery, falling house-price-to-income ratios, and net migration trends⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction: Economic Review & 2026 Predictions01:05 – The Ongoing Middle East Oil Shock & Global Economy Resilience03:10 – The Global AI Investment Boom05:25 – NZ Consumer Pressure & Interest Rate Hikes07:40 – Global Central Bank Tightening & Mortgage Rates10:05 – Persistent Core Inflation Pressures in NZ12:30 – How Higher Interest Rates Impact Asset Prices & Debt15:00 – Risks for Homeowners & Waiting to Sell17:15 – The Divide: Major Urban Centers vs. Provincial NZ19:40 – Commodity Exports, Exchange Rates & Regional Strengths22:00 – House Price Growth Forecasts for the Next 12–36 Months24:15 – Income Growth, Unemployment Trends & Property Support26:30 – Election Year Policies: Capital Gains Tax, Land Tax & Fiscal Plans28:45 – Political Coalitions & Uncertainty for Real Estate31:10 – Energy Prices & Persistency in Inflation Scenarios33:20 – NZ’s Energy Mix, Renewable Transition & AI Data Center Demand35:45 – Who Should Finance Base Load Power Infrastructure?38:10 – Political Perspectives on Data Centers & Electricity Prices40:20 – OCR Outlook & Global Interest Rate Pressures42:00 – Construction Upturn, Housing Affordability & Migration ForecastsIs the economic landscape shifting in favor of property buyers or sellers? Watch the full episode and join the conversation.Stay connected with Homerun Podcast 👇Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HomerunpodcastnzSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ik9md6okR9DaNIPwS7gJdApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homerun-x-realestate-co-nz/id1815415116Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homerunpodcastnzTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homerunnzLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/homerunnz/

Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue — it’s becoming a major issue for property, insurance and infrastructure.

In this episode of Home Run, we explore what a changing climate could mean for New Zealand homeowners, investors, developers and communities.

From rising flood risk and coastal inundation to insurance pricing, property values and the future of urban development, we look at the challenges New Zealand could face over the next 20 years.The conversation also explores the global energy system, why the world remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels, the rapid growth of renewables, and the difficult transition ahead.

With around 15% of New Zealand’s housing stock estimated to be exposed to a 1-in-100-year floodplain, climate risk is becoming an increasingly important part of property due diligence.

In this episode:
• Why climate change is making extreme weather more volatile
• The growing importance of flood and hazard maps
• What climate risk could mean for property insurance
• Why some homes could face higher premiums — or difficulty obtaining cover
• How site-specific flood assessments can refine council mapping
• Managed retreat and property-level adaptation
• The future of NZ infrastructure and urban design
• Why climate change could increase inequality between communities
• What New Zealand property owners should be thinking about now

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction: Climate Change & NZ Property
01:05 – Has the World Already Passed 1.5°C?
03:10 – The Global Energy Problem
05:25 – Why We Are “Energy Blind”
07:40 – Are Renewables Really Replacing Fossil Fuels?
10:05 – What Climate Change Means for New Zealand
12:30 – Floods, Droughts & Extreme Weather
15:00 – The Growing Risk to NZ Property
17:15 – How Many NZ Homes Are Exposed to Flood Risk?
19:40 – Climate Change & Insurance Premiums
22:00 – Could Some Homes Become Uninsurable?
24:15 – Understanding Council Flood Maps
26:30 – When Property Owners Should Get a Flood Assessment
28:45 – Managed Retreat: What Happens to High-Risk Homes?
31:10 – Protecting Property From Climate Risk
33:20 – What Will NZ Property Look Like in 20 Years?
35:45 – Climate Change & Growing Inequality
38:10 – Designing Better, More Resilient Cities
40:20 – What Property Owners Need to Think About Now
42:00 – Final Thoughts

Is climate risk the next major factor shaping where and how New Zealanders live?

Watch the full episode and join the conversation.

Stay connected with Homerun Podcast 👇Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HomerunpodcastnzSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ik9md6okR9DaNIPwS7gJdApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homerun-x-realestate-co-nz/id1815415116Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homerunpodcastnzTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homerunnzLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/homerunnz/

What does it take to change an entire industry?

In this episode of Home Run, David sits down with Leonie Freeman, CEO of Property Council New Zealand, to mark 30 years of realestate.co.nz and explore the remarkable story behind New Zealand’s property industry transformation.

Leonie takes us back to 1996, when online property listings were still viewed with plenty of skepticism, and shares how realnz.co.nz became the foundation for what would eventually become realestate.co.nz.

But this conversation goes far beyond the origins of online property search.Leonie opens up about some of New Zealand’s biggest housing and property challenges—including RMA reform, development levies, seismic standards, urban density, Build-to-Rent, infrastructure, climate risk and managed retreat.

She also shares her views on creating greater efficiency across the development system, unlocking land and infrastructure, and building a more diverse property industry that creates opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

From pioneering online real estate listings to advocating for major change across New Zealand's property sector, Leonie’s career offers a fascinating look at where the industry has come from—and where it could go next.

In this episode:
00:00 – Introduction & 30 years of realestate.co.nz
00:36 – The origin of realnz.co.nz
02:02 – Meeting Peter Cook and the turning point
03:08 – How the name realnz.co.nz was created
04:08 – From property magazines to online search
07:00 – Breaking barriers as a young woman in property
09:10 – Can “Collective Impact” solve NZ’s housing challenges?
10:28 – Housing targets, affordability & homeownership
13:58 – RMA reform and the challenges of implementation
16:40 – Making development systems more efficient
18:54 – Proportionate liability & insurance protection
19:48 – Seismic standards, NBS & managing risk
24:32 – Diversity and the future of the property industry
25:46 – The rise of Build-to-Rent in New Zealand
26:45 – Unlocking land, infrastructure & developer levies
28:40 – Streamlining building product approvals
31:15 – Density, transport & the City Rail Link
34:44 – Climate change, flooding & infrastructure risk
38:25 – Managed retreat, land maps & home insurance
41:20 – The entrepreneurial journey into property management
43:15 – Business lessons: Purpose, authenticity & knowing your “why”
45:58 – Caroline Freeman and breaking new ground
48:20 – Advice for the next generation of property leaders

Home Run is brought to you by realestate.co.nz — exploring the people, ideas and stories shaping New Zealand property.

Subscribe for more conversations with the people behind the property industry.

Stay connected with Homerun Podcast 👇Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HomerunpodcastnzSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ik9md6okR9DaNIPwS7gJdApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homerun-x-realestate-co-nz/id1815415116Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homerunpodcastnzTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homerunnzLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/homerunnz/

Property flipping, real estate investing, auctions, agent commissions and the future of real estate in New Zealand. Matt Jones has spent more than 20 years in the industry, from school teacher and property flipper to founder of Independent Agent and a leader in the independent real estate movement.

So what does it really take to make money in property?

And is property flipping actually as easy as it looks?

In this episode of HomeRun, Matt Jones opens up about his years buying, renovating and selling property, the risks that come with a high-volume flipping strategy, and the lessons he learned along the way.

He also explains why he challenged the traditional real estate agency model and built Independent Agent around autonomy, personal branding and giving agents greater control over their businesses.

⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Introduction: Matt Jones' journey
1:45 – From school teacher to real estate
5:20 – How Matt got into property flipping
10:15 – Finding undervalued properties
15:30 – The reality and risks of property flipping
21:10 – What happens when the market turns
26:40 – Building a real estate business from scratch
32:15 – Why Matt challenged the traditional agency model
37:50 – The future of independent real estate
43:20 – Are auctions really the best way to find value?
48:10 – What agents get wrong about price
53:00 – Building your personal brand as an agent
57:30 – Why creativity matters outside real estate
1:01:20 – Matt's biggest lessons from 20+ years in property
1:05:00 – What would Matt do differently today?
1:08:00 – Final thoughts

In this episode
• The reality of property flipping in New Zealand
• How to identify undervalued property opportunities
• The risks of relying on a high-volume flipping strategy
• Why private sales can uncover opportunities
• What makes a successful real estate agent
• Why traditional agency models are being challenged
• Agent commissions and business ownership
• Whether auctions really create better price discovery
• Why agents should focus on their clients—not just the highest price
• The future of independent real estate in New Zealand
• Why creativity, hobbies and life outside property matter
• The lessons Matt wishes he knew earlier in his career

Matt's journey from teaching to property, entrepreneurship and building an independent agency is a fascinating look at what happens when you stop following the traditional path.

This is HomeRun — conversations with the people challenging the way New Zealand thinks about property, business, wealth and the future.

If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations with New Zealand's leading voices.

Stay connected with Homerun Podcast 👇Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HomerunpodcastnzSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ik9md6okR9DaNIPwS7gJdApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homerun-x-realestate-co-nz/id1815415116Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homerunpodcastnzTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homerunnzLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/homerunnz/

What is really happening in New Zealand's property market?
Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, joins HomeRun to discuss house prices, buying and selling property, AI in real estate, leadership, and what the future holds for Kiwi homeowners, investors, and real estate professionals.

As realestate.co.nz celebrates 30 years, Sarah shares how one of New Zealand's most trusted property brands has evolved, what today's market data is telling us, and why marketing, presentation, and technology are more important than ever.

In this episode you'll learn:
• The current state of the New Zealand property market
• What buyers and sellers should know right now
• Why marketing and presentation matter more than ever
• How AI is transforming property search
• The leadership behind one of New Zealand's most trusted property brands
• Building a high-performing company culture
• Why home ownership remains important for New Zealanders
• Where the future of real estate is heading

Chapters
0:00 – Introduction
0:45 – Sarah Wood's journey to CEO
3:20 – 30 years of realestate.co.nz
8:15 – The current NZ property market
14:40 – Advice for buyers and sellers
21:10 – Why marketing matters
27:30 – AI and the future of property search
34:50 – Building a high-performance culture
42:15 – Leadership lessons
49:30 – The future of New Zealand property
53:40 – Final thoughtsWhether you're buying your first home, investing in property, selling your house, or working in real estate, this episode is packed with practical advice and industry insights.

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to HomeRun for more interviews with New Zealand's leading voices in property, business, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Stay connected with Homerun Podcast 👇
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Homerunpodcastnz
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Ik9md6okR9DaNIPwS7gJd
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/homerun-x-realestate-co-nz/id1815415116
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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homerunnz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/homerunnz/