Auckland’s $1.66 billion Central Interceptor is now fully operational, marking the completion of a 16.2km wastewater tunnel designed to reduce overflows into city waterways. According to Watercare, the project has already prevented 741,000 cubic metres of wastewater and stormwater from entering the environment since its southern section went live in early 2025. Infrastructure Scale and … Read more
A Gauntlet of Rims and Rubber South of Ashburton State Highway 1 south of Ashburton has collapsed into a treacherous stretch of road. More than 100 potholes have ruptured the surface, forcing lane closures and leaving a trail of damaged vehicles in their wake. Following a deluge of rain last week, the New Zealand Transport … Read more
New Zealand’s construction sector faces a prolonged period of instability, with industry data indicating a significant contraction over the past two years and a muted recovery outlook. According to data from Centrix, the industry has seen a net loss of 551 firms by the end of 2025, driven by a combination of high interest rates, … Read more
Kainga Ora initiated over 5,000 Tenancy Tribunal applications in the 2025/2026 year as part of a “firm but fair” strategy to manage its 78,000 public housing properties. While the agency aims to resolve disputes early, the approach has drawn criticism from the Green Party over concerns regarding tenant stability and potential homelessness. Tribunal Activity and … Read more
BNZ has increased its short-term fixed mortgage rates while simultaneously reducing its longer-term offerings, effective June 24. This move follows similar rate adjustments by ANZ and Westpac, both of which recently lowered some fixed home loan rates in response to shifting global wholesale interest markets. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) currently holds the … Read more
A private water pipe burst at 22 Willeston St in central Wellington early this morning, flooding a Snap Fitness gym and impacting several businesses. Fire and Emergency NZ responded at 4:35 am, while Wellington Water crews isolated the water supply at 5:45 am to assist with repairs arranged by the property owner. What caused the … Read more
The Infrastructure Commission advised the Government to slow its pursuit of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility, citing concerns over potential cost blow-outs and the availability of less expensive alternatives. According to a December 2025 memo released under the Official Information Act, the commission questioned the project’s necessity for managing “dry-year” electricity risks and … Read more
New Zealand house prices have grown by approximately 10% in the 2020s so far, representing one of the weakest growth periods in seven decades. According to Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan, this trend contrasts sharply with historical data where prices frequently doubled every ten years. This slowdown suggests the traditional “doubling” rule may no longer … Read more
Auckland Council staff have recommended a mid-range planning option, “Scenario B,” to scale back the city’s contentious housing intensification plan. The proposal, designed to meet a reduced government housing capacity floor of 1.4 million dwellings, would retain six-storey apartment zoning along specific frequent bus corridors and allow for taller building heights near central isthmus rail … Read more
Fletcher Living has launched a trial in Lincoln, New Zealand, featuring two identical four-bedroom homes to test the efficacy of solar-powered residential builds. One home, listed at $999,000, includes a $30,000 premium for a solar and battery system, while the other serves as a standard-build control. The developer aims to assess long-term energy savings and … Read more