Residential construction has levelled off as much as commercial construction has slumped in the Queenstown Lakes district, the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) says.
Uncertainty over pending interest rate rises, difficulties in raising finance and an oversupply of housing stock are thought to be behind a continued decline in Dunedin property values.
A $10 million community housing development proposal in Queenstown is closer to becoming a reality after Housing Minister Phil Heatley yesterday announced a $1 million grant.
New Zealand should follow Australia's lead and tighten foreign investment rules around housing to make it more affordable for New Zealanders, the Green Party says.
The condition of Dunedin houses will come under scrutiny for the first time next month when the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) will compare them to others around New Zealand.
A new community enterprise, Energyhouse, has been created to help Wanaka householders beat the cold this coming winter and it is now looking for 50 low-income households who want to join the scheme.
Fliss Butcher and JB Munro would like to see social housing built using public-private partnerships.
Age Concern hopes a little advice along with the aid of a "weather station" may help the elderly keep warm and healthy this winter.
Dunedin's latest complex of council flats comes with some of the latest mod cons for the sustainability minded, with double glazing, solar assisted hot water, and full insulation.
The Dunedin City Council's total of housing units will rise to almost 1000 from today, when Mayor Peter Chin officially opens three double and two two-bedroom units in Macandrew Rd, South Dunedin.
Queenstown has an oversupply of apartments, tourist accommodation and office space, which is forcing down some retail and office rentals, according to a national valuation company.
The Otago Peninsula house at 100 Camp Rd, which was subject to a mortgagee sale, has been sold.
The Wanaka property owner awaiting criminal verdicts on five Building Act charges against her and nine charges against her company has been permitted to use 155 Tenby St as a residence after a civil hearing.
Last year, 3024 New Zealand houses were sold in mortgagee sales - a 500% increase on 2007 and the highest number since records began. One of those forced sales involved the Corish family's Otago Peninsula "dream home", which has a rateable value of $3.75 million.
Dunedin city councillors appear to have had a change of heart with regard to charging consent fees for solar hot water heaters, with a last-minute about-turn meaning the fees could be dropped permanently.
A prototype of a solar heating system designed to store summer heat for winter use is being built into a new house in a subdivision at Ravensbourne, Dunedin.
Dunedin City Council staff have been told to come up with a more equitable way to raise rents for council housing tenants.
On a cold day, the Otago Polytechnic's sustainable house is the place to be.
Otago remains one of the most affordable parts of New Zealand in which to live, but also contains the area that is the least affordable.
The future of the Dunedin City Council's social housing will come under the spotlight today when a hearings committee considers public submissions on the matter.
