Property Apprentice Podcast

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Major changes are coming to how New Zealand funds housing infrastructure! In this Week in Review episode of NZ Property Insights, Debbie Roberts breaks down Housing Minister Chris Bishop's newly confirmed standardized development levies kicking in by 2029, requiring government departments to pay their fair share and bringing in the Commerce Commission as an independent regulator. 
Plus, we examine fresh Cotality data revealing why a pullback from "movers" (existing homeowners trading up) is the single biggest driver of the residential sales slump, average KiwiSaver balances crossing $40,000, proposed retirement village payout reforms, and new FMA data tracking how banks pass OCR hikes to floating mortgage rates. 
Key Episode Highlights & Breakdown
Topic 1: Average KiwiSaver Balances Break $40,000 MilestoneAverage KiwiSaver balances reached $40,340 (up 11% year-on-year) with total scheme funds reaching $138.8 billion. 
Why payday automation remains the most effective driver of long-term wealth compounding. 
Risk alignment warnings: The cost of 40-year-olds remaining in conservative default funds with 20–25 years until retirement. 

Topic 2: Retirement Village Reforms & Payout ProtectionA grieving family faces indefinite delays receiving a $220,000 estate payout from an internal village move. 
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka's proposed reforms: mandating a 12-month maximum repayment window, interest after 6 months, and halting weekly fees immediately upon vacating. 
Why Occupation Right Agreements (ORAs) require specialized legal review before signing. 

Topic 3: Cotality Report — Why "Movers" Are Driving the Sales SlumpAnnual residential sales fell 3.2% to 89,043 transactions, led primarily by a 6.6% drop in relocating owner-occupiers ("movers"). 
Upgraders face 27% less deposit equity compared to the late 2021 market peak alongside job security concerns. 
Why less competition from movers creates strong price leverage for active buyers in today's quiet market. 

Topic 4: FMA Data — Banks Pass 100% of OCR Hikes to Floating RatesFMA tracking of 8 major lenders shows banks passed 100% or more of recent OCR increases to floating debt while leaving on-call savings rates stagnant. 
Floating rates have returned to pre-October 2025 levels despite the OCR sitting lower at 2.75%. 
Actionable cash flow advice for variable-rate borrowers and low-yield account holders. 

Topic 5: Housing Infrastructure Development Levies Confirmed for 2029Councils will transition to standardized development levies starting in 2029 under housing infrastructure reforms. 
Core Crown departments (Ministry of Defence, Corrections) will pay levies for the first time alongside private developers. 
Commerce Commission steps in as an independent regulator to stop overcharging and standardize calculations nationwide. 
Targeted localized levy zones aimed at solving deficits like Auckland Council's $5 billion unplanned infrastructure gap. 

🎓 Attend Our Free Live Property Masterclass:
"How to Succeed with Property Investing" (Hosted Live by Debbie Roberts) 
👉 Register free here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz 
Property Apprentice provides 100% independent education, borrowing capacity optimization, and personal financial strategies. We DO NOT sell real estate! 
👉 Enjoying the show? Click the + Follow or Subscribe button in your podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast) so you never miss an episode! If you found this breakdown valuable, please leave us a 5-star rating and review. 
#NZProperty #RealEstateNZ #PropertyApprentice #HousingLevies #KiwiSaver #MortgageRates #NewZealand #PropertyInvesting
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Labour drops a major tax policy bombshell! In Episode 28 of NZ Property Insights, Paul and Debbie Roberts unpack Labour's official confirmation to retain 100% interest deductibility for residential property investors, alongside the technical accounting reasons behind their Capital Gains Tax shift. 
Plus, we break down why first-home buyers hit a record 29% market share, Moody’s new economic recovery forecast, a $2.5 billion data centre energy boom, and a staggering 190% surge in Australian buyers hunting for Kiwi real estate! 
Key Episode Highlights
Segment 1: $2.2B KiwiSaver Cash-Out & Record First-Home Buyer ShareOver 50,000 Kiwis withdrew $2.2 billion from KiwiSaver to secure their first home. 
Cotality data confirms first-home buyers reached a record 29% national market share. 
Why QV's -1.9% quarterly drop lags real-time market activity by up to three months. 
How ASB’s housing outlook gives buyers an extended runway through late 2029. 

Segment 2: Moody's Economic Recovery Report & Data Centre SurgeMoody’s projects NZ real GDP growth of 1.6% in 2026, broadening to 2.3% in 2027. 
Data centres are set to consume over 3 terawatt-hours of power, requiring $2.5B in energy infrastructure. 
Moody's warning on central government’s proposed 2%–4% council rate caps. 
Why NZ’s well-capitalized banks are keeping mortgagee sales at historical lows. 

Segment 3: 190% Aussie Search Surge Driven by Cross-Tasman Tax ShiftsRealestate.co.nz search traffic from Australia surged 163% in May and 190% in August following Australian tax changes. 
Australian enquiries jumped 134% in May, with saved properties up over 44%. 
Hotspot demand: Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth buyers targeting standalone houses in Auckland, Canterbury, and Central Otago. 

Segment 4: Labour’s Interest Deductibility U-Turn & Capital Gains Tax FocusLabour confirms it will retain 100% mortgage interest deductibility ($2.8B policy over 4 years). 
The technical tax math: Why interest, rates, and insurance are deductible holding costs under a Capital Gains Tax regime. 
Political fallout: Industry reactions from Renters United, the Property Investors Federation, National, and ACT. 

Call to Action (Drive Masterclass & Subscriptions)
🎓 Attend Our Free Live Property Masterclass:
"How to Succeed with Property Investing" (Hosted Live by Debbie Roberts) 
👉 Register free here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz 
Property Apprentice provides 100% independent education, borrowing capacity optimization, and personal financial strategies. We DO NOT sell real estate! 
👉 Enjoying the show? Tap the + Follow or Subscribe button in your podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, etc.) so you never miss an episode! Leave us a 5-star review if you find our weekly data breakdowns helpful. 
#NZProperty #RealEstateNZ #PropertyApprentice #InterestDeductibility #KiwiSaver #NZEconomy #HousingMarket #NewZealand
Support the show
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.
Will New Zealand house prices rebound to their 2021 peak, or are we in for a prolonged flat cycle? In Episode 27 of New Zealand Property Insights, hosts Paul and Debbie Roberts unpack ASB’s latest housing outlook, which projects national home values will not return to 2021 peak levels until at least 2029. They examine what flat growth in 2026 and a 3.5% lift in 2027 mean for buyers, how disposable income multiples have dropped from 9.8x to 6.7x, and how a proposed 5% deposit scheme could impact first-home buyer demand. 
Next, they explore the ongoing structural shift in non-bank mortgage lending. Featuring insights from XCEDA CEO Daniel McGrath and BaseCorp CFO John Moody, Paul and Debbie explain why non-bank lending is moving from a fallback option to a proactive strategy for self-employed borrowers, property flippers, and investors needing approvals within 24 to 48 hours. 
Finally, they break down fresh Realestate.co.nz rental figures to determine whether national asking rents have officially hit a floor. With the national average asking rent reaching $637 per week (+1.5% YoY), they analyze major regional variations—from strong gains in Marlborough (+8.2%) and Waikato ($587/wk record) to drops on the West Coast (-6.5%)—and reveal why pushing for a $10–$20 weekly rent increase can cost landlords up to $1,400 in vacant downtime. 
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
ASB Price Forecast: Why house prices are expected to remain flat through 2026 before rising 3.5% in 2027, and why a 2029 peak recovery is positive for long-term market stability. 
Income-to-Price Multiples: How house price-to-disposable income ratios dropped to 6.7x (down from 9.8x in 2021), helping first-home buyers capture nearly 30% of sales. 
Proposed 5% Deposit Rule: How raising income caps to $300,000 for couples could accelerate first-home buyer entry. 
Non-Bank Lending Tactics: How writing clear application narratives enables specialist lenders to approve complex scenarios (bridging, self-employed, property additions) in 24–48 hours. 
Rental Market Floor: Why asking rents act as a leading indicator, and how provincial cashflows in Canterbury, Otago, and Waikato are supporting local rental gains. 
Tenant Retention vs. Vacancy Costs: Why keeping reliable tenants and avoiding 2–3 weeks of vacancy easily outweighs aggressive rent hikes in an adjusting market. 
Free Educational Masterclass & Resources
Ready to build a resilient, data-backed property portfolio without sales pressure or developer hype? Join financial adviser Debbie Roberts live for our free online training session: How to Succeed with Property Investing. 
100% Independent Education (Property Apprentice does NOT sell real estate) 
Live Q&A Session Included
👉 Register Free Here: propertyapprentice.co.nz
Support the show
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.
New Zealand’s major banks have officially lifted variable mortgage rates following the Reserve Bank’s latest 25 basis point OCR hike. What does this mean for your home loan, and how are fixed rates holding up? 
In this episode of the Week in Review, Debbie Roberts (Owner & Financial Adviser at Property Apprentice) breaks down the biggest property and finance headlines across Aotearoa. From National’s proposed $300,000 income threshold for 5% deposit First Home Loans to Barfoot & Thompson's latest August sales figures signal an Auckland market tipping point, we deliver the practical insights you need to navigate today's property market. 
In This Episode:
Floating Mortgage Rates Shift: All five major banks (ANZ, BNZ, ASB, Westpac, Kiwibank) have raised variable rates by 25bps. Discover why 92% of Kiwi borrowers remain insulated on fixed terms and what ASB’s customer repayment data tells us about household resilience. 
Lessons From Australia's Property Market: Australian home values fell for a fifth consecutive month, led by Sydney (-7.1% from peak). We analyze why persistent construction bottlenecks mean structural supply shortages remain unresolved across the ditch. 
National's 5% Deposit Scheme Expansion: National proposes raising the First Home Loan income cap to $300,000, potentially opening low-deposit options to over 90% of households. We weigh the benefits against the 1.2% government mortgage insurance fee. 
Auckland Market Tipping Point: Barfoot & Thompson sales dropped to their lowest August volume since 2022 while median prices edged up to $955,000. What this stabilization means for active buyers and sellers. 
KiwiSaver Loophole Closed for Rural Workers: A new amendment bill will finally allow farm staff, rural teachers, and police officers in employer-provided housing to access their KiwiSaver for a first home or farm purchase. 
Free Financial Education & Events Want to build a resilient, cash-flowing property portfolio using proven, independent strategies? Join Debbie Roberts at our next live, free online event: How to Succeed with Property Investing. 
👉 Register now at www.propertyapprentice.co.nz
Support the show
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.
Buyer choice has jumped by 45% as national listings hit 33,000 homes—so what does this "new normal" mean for house prices and negotiation power? Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate to 2.75%, a landmark MBIE ruling threatens Christchurch's 5,000 Airbnbs, and an expert panel has dissected the fatal design flaws in Labour's proposed Capital Gains Tax. 
In Episode 26 of New Zealand Property Insights, hosts Paul and Debbie Roberts break down the latest data from the RBNZ, Realestate.co.nz, MBIE, and the Salvation Army to deliver real facts without the headline hype. 
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
OCR Hike & Capital Gains Tax Flaws: Why the RBNZ raised the OCR by 25bps to 2.75%, and why top economists and tax specialists agree Labour's CGT design fails—including a total lack of inflation adjustment that levies a $280,000 tax bill on zero real profit. 
Christchurch Airbnb Crackdown: How a landmark MBIE ruling requiring commercial visitor accommodation compliance (fire safety & disability access) could impact short-term rentals nationwide. 
33,000 Homes on Market: Why buyer inventory has jumped 45% over three years, how shortening the Bright-line test to 2 years encouraged investor listings, and why national average asking prices ($849,362) have settled into a "new normal". 
Regional Clearance Rates: Why Canterbury inventory takes just 15 weeks to clear while Coromandel takes 56 weeks and Northland takes 48 weeks. 
Salvation Army Housing Report: Why building 9.1% more homes hasn't solved housing stress, and how Aucklanders relocating to provincial cities are shrinking local rental pools. 
Support the show
Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.