The average asking price for a house in New Zealand reached an all-time high of $846,900 last month, growing by 21 per
cent on the previous year, according to the latest Trade Me Property Price Index.
Trade Me Property Sales Director Gavin Lloyd said despite the Level 4 lockdown property prices charged ahead in August,
marking the largest annual increase on record and 12 months of double-digit growth as prices increased $143,950 on the
same month last year. “According to our latest Trade Me Jobs data, this increase is 2.2 times the national average
salary, which is sitting at $64,939 as of Q2 (April-June) this year.
“As expected, the Covid-19 Alert Level restrictions had a significant impact on market supply and demand in August which
comes as no surprise considering you cannot buy or sell a house under the Level 4 restrictions.”
Mr Lloyd said August saw a 31 per cent drop in the number of properties listed for sale onsite when compared with the
same month in 2020. Demand also dropped by 24 per cent year-on-year last month, mirroring what we have seen in past
lockdowns.
Looking around the country, Mr Lloyd said record average asking prices were seen in every region. “The largest jumps
were all seen in lower North Island regions of Manawatū/Whanganui (up 30 per cent to $589,350), Wellington (up 26 per
cent to $867,050), and Hawke’s Bay (up 23 per cent to $737,050).”
Looking ahead, Mr Lloyd said the market was expected to make a swift recovery. “New Zealand’s property market has been
running hot since we came out of lockdown in 2020, despite many predicting we would see it slow down. As we’ve seen
after previous lockdowns, we’re expecting listing numbers will make a quick recovery as restrictions are lifted and we
move down alert levels.”Wellington prices increase by more than a quarter in 12 months
Mr Lloyd said the average asking price in the Wellington region climbed 26 per cent or $177,550 on August last year to
$867,050 last month. “Looking at Wellington City, the average asking price was $944,050, making it the most expensive
district in the region.
“The second most expensive Wellington district was Porirua which entered the $900,000 bracket for the first time at
$929,000.”
Most expensive districts in the Wellington region - August 2021 (*new record)DistrictAverage asking price -
August 20211Wellington City$944,050*2Porirua$929,000*3Kapiti Coast$886,750*
Mr Lloyd said the lockdown meant market supply in the Wellington region dropped by 18 per cent year-on-year.
“Interestingly, demand in the region was down by 35 per cent, the biggest drop of all regions.”
The most popular property for sale in the country last month was a two-bedroom house on Wilton Road in Wilton. “It had
an asking price of $625,000 and received 372 watchlists in its first two days onsite.”Auckland reaches new record
The average asking price in the Auckland region reached a record $1,104.200 in August. “Looking at Auckland City, the
average asking price was slightly higher at $1,186,400, making it the fourth most expensive district in the region."
The three most expensive districts in Auckland in August were Waiheke ($1,718,500) and North Shore City ($1,298,800).
Most expensive districts in the Auckland region - August 2021 (*new record)DistrictAverage asking price -
August 20211Waiheke$1,718,5002North Shore City$1,298,800*3Rodney$1,219,200*
Mr Lloyd said, as seen in the rest of the country, supply in the Auckland region was down 20 per cent year-on-year in
August, while demand was down 29 per cent.
Last month’s most popular Auckland property was a three-bedroom house on Caspian Close, New Lynn, with an asking price
of $700,000. “It was watchlisted 288 times in its first two days onsite.”
Record asking prices for small and medium sized houses
Mr Lloyd said nationwide, small houses (1-2 bedrooms) and medium houses (3-4 bedrooms) saw their highest ever average
asking price in August. “Small houses saw the largest year-on-year percentage increase of 28.5 per cent.”
Mr Lloyd said urban properties saw their highest ever asking price nationwide in August, reaching $712,950. “The average
asking price for a townhouse saw the biggest increase, up 27 per cent on the same month last year and reaching an
all-time high of $832,900.”