Local and international experts are meeting in Wellington this month to share their knowledge on creating healthier, more resilient cities in the face of the challenges posed by climate change.

The International Conference on Urban Health, co-hosted by the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), is being held at the Tākina Convention Centre from 17-21 November.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Weaving Climate Action, Equity and Wellbeing – From the Pacific to the World’, reflecting the urgent need to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, climate resilience and health equity in urban development.

Distinguished Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, from the Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, says it is the first time the event has been held in Oceania.

“The conference offers an unparalleled opportunity for delegates to engage with the most pressing urban-health issues facing New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific islands, from climate change to sustainable transport to environmentally sustainable public and community housing developments.

“It gives us all the chance to learn from others and share successful initiatives to build sustainable cities.”

The conference has attracted participants from more than 35 countries, with visitors coming from as far afield as India, Uganda, Denmark, Saudi Arabia and China.

The programme features more than 100 sessions, with panel discussions on ‘nourishing landscapes’,  which will feature Māori researchers and practitioners coming together to share Indigenous insights and solutions for restoring food systems, and on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) age-friendly strategy, which has been adopted by local councils in Aotearoa.

Keynote speakers at the conference include Skye Duncan, the Executive Director of the Global Designing Cities Initiative, who will discuss human-centred urban design; Professor James Ward (Pitjantjatjara, Narungga), the Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Queensland; Professor Mike Davies from the Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering at University College London, who will discuss the provision of healthy and comfortable built environments in a changing climate; and Professor Deidre Brown, the Director of the Centre for Māori and Pacific Housing Research at the University of Auckland, who will share insights on the impacts of housing design on hauora Māori and Pacific peoples.

Researchers from the University of Otago, Wellington, presenting at the conference include Professor Howden-Chapman, who will lead a panel of colleagues in a discussion about the findings from a five-year Endeavour Fund research programme on the value of public and community housing in Aotearoa New Zealand; Professor Nevil Pierse, who will share his findings about the outcomes of the Healthy Homes Initiative; Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard, who will discuss the impact of the WHO healthy housing framework; and Guy Penny (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa), who will talk about his work on the Papakāinga development at the Wainuiomata Marae.

This year, for the first time, the conference will include a government round table with national and local government leaders and their international counterparts discussing how urban policy and governance can drive health, equity, and climate resilience in our cities. The session will be free and open to the public and will be held on Thursday, 20 November from 3pm to 4.30pm at Tākina.

The conference opens on Monday, 17 November with a free one-day symposium, ‘Designing Cities for Every Age’, at the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, which will look at how cities can be better designed to support people at every stage of life. Please register for the symposium on the ICUH website (for catering purposes).

Notes:

The full programme is now available on the conference website: https://www.icuh2025.org/

I Am Hope Foundation, home of the Gumboot Friday initiative, is preparing to open an exciting new chapter in its journey to improve youth mental health in New Zealand. The organisation will soon begin the search for a new Chief Executive to lead its next phase of growth and innovation.

While serving as Executive Director and Principal Ambassador, founder Mike King has carried a share of the organisation’s Chief Executive duties. He says it’s the right moment for fresh leadership to take I Am Hope forward.

“When we started I Am Hope it was nothing more than a dream, a small group of people trying to make sure every young person could access free mental health support without barriers. Building this organisation from scratch has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. But we’ve reached a point where it’s time for a new vision and a new voice to take us forward,” says King.

“I’ve loved every second of this journey, the wins, the challenges, the people. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made through Gumboot Friday, funding thousands of counselling sessions for young Kiwis. Now it’s time for someone else to build on that legacy.”

Under King’s leadership, I Am Hope has grown from a grassroots movement into a nationally recognised mental health charity. Since launching Gumboot Friday in 2019, the initiative has provided more than 137,000 free counselling sessions to young New Zealanders aged 5 to 25.

The new Chief Executive will lead the foundation through its next evolution, expanding services, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the sustainability of free mental health support for generations to come.

King will continue to play a key role in the organisation in a new capacity, which will be announced alongside the appointment of the new Chief Executive.

“I’m not going anywhere,” King adds. “My passion for helping young people hasn’t changed. I’ll be taking on a new role that lets me get back to what I love most, connecting with people, challenging the system, and championing hope.”

The recruitment process for the new Chief Executive will begin in the coming weeks.

12 November 2025 – RBNZ's Wellington building has been temporarily closed to allow for an isolated asbestos disturbance to be remediated.

On Thursday 6 November, as part of a routine building-wide survey of asbestos material, an isolated disturbance of asbestos was identified at 2 The Terrace. The area was contained and the finding was reported to Worksafe. Coincidentally, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake also closed the building that evening for air quality monitoring to be completed.

Assurance testing has since been completed, however the building needs to remain closed while the asbestos disturbance is remediated, as fire sprinkler systems on a key emergency exit floor need to be deactivated.

The health and safety of our staff and tenants is a priority. Therefore, the building has been closed while remediation works take place, which could take until November 24.

RBNZ does not anticipate any impact on our services. Business continuity plans have been activated and are currently operational, including through staff working from the RBNZ's Auckland premises.

RBNZ's Wellington building contains encapsulated asbestos and planning for refurbishment of 2 The Terrace is underway, in line with our 2024/2028 Statement of Intent. Further information on progress of this project is detailed in our 2025 Annual Report.

2024/2028 Statement of Intent: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=5228815309&e=f3c68946f8

2025 Annual Report: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=ce5a8728cb&e=f3c68946f8

Next week, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will transform into a hub of Indigenous knowledge, connection and celebration as 3,800 educators and leaders from across Aotearoa and the globe gather for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE).

Returning to Aotearoa for the first time in 20 years, WIPCE 2025 will provide thought-provoking kōrero, insightful wānanga, panel discussions, presentations, and interactive breakout sessions designed to spark ideas and drive Indigenous knowledge forward.

Hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – AUT and iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the event will be held at the Aotea Centre from 16-20 November.

The conference will open with a pōwhiri (official welcoming) on Sunday 16 November, followed by a ‘Parade of Nations’. Aucklanders will see delegates from more than 20 cultures and every corner of the globe parade Queen Street in their official kākahu (attire) in a colourful celebration of Indigenous pride.

A joint statement released today from the four Co-Chairs of WIPCE 2025 – Dr Noe Noe Wilson-Wong, Dr Bentham Ohia, Professor Damon Salesa, and Professor Meihana Durie – represents a step-change in the kōrero on Indigenous peoples in Aotearoa and around the world.

“As we head into final preparations for WIPCE 2025, we acknowledge the hard work and collective effort that has brought us to this point. WIPCE is about celebrating and affirming a shared sense of Indigenous determination and unity,” say the Co-Chairs.

“WIPCE is also a time to draw inspiration from the power of Indigenous ceremony, language, culture and scholarship and to reimagine the future of Indigenous education through sharing our deepest experiences, our distinctive histories and bold visions for the future. Together, alongside our iwi manaaki of Ngāti Whātua Orākei, we look forward to welcoming  manuhiri to Aotearoa and in particular, to Tāmaki Makaurau, a city that is home to the largest number of Pacific peoples in the world.”

WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair, Professor Meihana Durie says the event is an extraordinary opportunity to showcase Indigenous knowledge, scholarship and unity on a global scale.

“Although it is clear that Indigenous rights remain under immense threat, this gathering unites Indigenous educators, scholars and champions from across the world. Amplifying Indigenous voices and aspirations to transcend barriers that limit our collective potential, and more importantly, to achieve transformative inter-generational outcomes for Indigenous education worldwide,” says Durie.

“WIPCE is really about thinking about the future and how we navigate it collectively as Indigenous people. Our greatest strength comes through our unification”.

In addition to the cultural and academic contribution, the conference also brings significant economic benefits to Tāmaki Makaurau, says Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CE Nick Hill.

“WIPCE 2025 has the highest number of attendees ever recorded at an academic conference in New Zealand. The conference is expected to contribute $8.275 million to Auckland’s economy and generate more than 16,600 visitor nights,” explains Nick Hill.

“In addition, this gathering reflects our identity as the world’s largest Māori and Polynesian city, enriched by more than 200 ethnicities. We are committed to sharing knowledge that connects us all.”

The conference features an exceptional line up of Keynote and Guest speakers, including Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Dr Teina Rongo and Actor and Producer Cliff Curtis. Together, they bring diverse perspectives that have helped shape global dialogue on Indigenous rights, decolonisation, education and arts.

For those not attending the conference, Te Ao Pūtahi, a vibrant and free festival at Aotea Square, will offer an immersive experience for the wider community. The event features different ao or ‘worlds’, focusing on culture, food, healing and trade.

Starting on Sunday 16 November, visitors can enjoy kapa haka performances from groups like Ngā Tumanako, with live music from artists including Corrella, Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne and IA. Indigenous stallholders will also be providing free hands-on creative workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as selling kai and gifts.

More information about this year’s kaupapa is on the WIPCE 2025 website, including the themes and programme, keynote speakers, guest speakers, Te Ao Pūtahi free festival and other event information.

First home buyers (FHBs) in New Zealand are making their mark, maintaining a record-high share of purchases, highlighting their ongoing market strength and motivation towards home-ownership, according to the latest Cotality-Westpac NZ First Home Buyer Report.

In the September quarter 2025, FHBs accounted for 27.7% of property purchases nationwide, a record-high, up from the previous best of 26.9% in the December quarter of last year. In a busier overall market, they are buying more properties in absolute terms too.

The trend is mirrored across the country’s main centres, urban areas, and provinces, where FHB market shares have recently been above historical averages.

In wider Wellington (Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua), FHBs accounted for 36% of property purchase activity over the first nine months of 2025, with other markets such as Rotorua also strong (32%), as well as South Waikato and Timaru (both 28%).

Westpac lending data also shows that loans to first home buyers are at their highest level in more than three years, as lower interest rates have improved serviceability for this group. The national average LVR for FHBs is currently around 79%, up from less than 75% three years ago.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said FHBs are performing strongly in a market shaped by factors that currently benefit them, including increased choice and favourable LVR rules.

“In an environment where house prices and mortgage rates have both fallen, and resulted in better affordability, FHBs continue to fare well. Overall, banks and borrowers are already operating below the current, lower LVR speed limits, but FHBs are certainly making the most of the low-deposit finance that’s on offer,” he said.

Westpac NZ Senior Economist Satish Ranchhod also suggested that the lift in activity lately has been a result of continued large falls in mortgage rates that have encouraged FHBs to enter the market sooner with potentially lower deposits than they otherwise might have done.

“We’ve seen a lift in lending to first home buyers, with activity now at its highest level in more than three years. Lower interest rates mean some FHBs won’t need to raise as much equity, given that the same cash outflow will now service a larger loan”.
“Compared to this time last year, one-year fixed mortgage rates are nearly 150 basis points lower, while two-year fixed mortgage rates are around 250 basis points lower than in 2023. Those are big declines, and they’ve made the housing market a lot more accessible for would-be first home buyers.”

“It’s made a big impact. The fall in the one-year mortgage rate over the past year shaved around $485 off the average FHB’s monthly minimum mortgage payments. That’s a saving equivalent to 4-5% of the average first home buyer’s monthly income, based on the median price of $700,000,” he said.
 
Buyers take measured approach

The report also pointed out that even with easing barriers to access home financing, it’s still taking FHBs longer than before to enter the market.

The average age of a FHB has crept higher lately, rising to 36 years nationally, up from around 34 years prior to COVID.

“A rise in the average age for some FHBs may be a conscious choice on their part, reflecting other motivations such as an overseas experience first or establishing a career or family.

“For some buyers, they may also have simply decided to delay a purchase over the past few years without too much fear that house prices would spike higher in the meantime. But for others, the rise in average age will no doubt reflect affordability strains and a necessity to enter the market later,” said Mr Davidson.
 
At what cost?

The median price paid by first home buyers so far in 2025 is $700,000, only slightly above $695,000 in 2024. FHBs also continue to get ‘bang for buck’, with standalone houses a consistently strong share of their purchases.

Mr Davidson said first-home buyers continue to purchase at prices below the overall market median, but well above the lower end of the spectrum.

“The median for this group is lower than the all-buyer figure of $770,000, but significantly higher than the lower quartile across all buyers of $585,000.
“In other words, the typical FHB doesn’t always enter at the bottom of the market and work their way up, many enter the market well above the bottom rung of the ladder.

Cotality data also shows FHB activity has been rising across all price brackets.  

“In the bottom 30% of the market by value, their share rose from 26% in 2015 to 33% in 2020 and is now 35%. A similar upwards trend can be seen in the middle 40% value bracket, and the top 30%,” he noted.
 
The big question
Looking ahead, housing conditions should remain favourable for FHBs in the near-term.

“Mortgage rates have fallen, KiwiSaver access for at least part of the deposit remains a strong support, and the LVR speed limits are set to ease from 1st December. Granted, house prices may well start to rise again in 2026, but the pace shouldn’t be so strong that FHBs fall behind,” said Mr Davidson.

“We expect the RBNZ to cut the OCR by 25bp at its 26 November meeting, justified by sluggish growth, rising unemployment, and modest underlying inflation. Over the year ahead, widespread mortgage rollovers onto lower rates will boost households’ spending power, suggesting the OCR will likely move to an ‘on hold’ stance in 2026,” concluded Mr Ranchhod.

ASB to back farmers with capital and pay for agri-consultant support, to help them improve resilience and revenue per hectare through land optimisation.

The latest QV House Price Index shows average home values across Aotearoa New Zealand fell 0.8% over the quarter to the end of October, with the national average now sitting at $902,020. That figure is unchanged compared to the same time last year and 13.9% below the nationwide market peak of January 2022.

Across the main centres, the Auckland region recorded the steepest fall, with average values dropping 2.2%, followed by Whangārei and Tauranga, both down 1.3%. Recent declines in Wellington City have steadied to a modest 0.8% decrease, while Hastings fell 0.6%, New Plymouth ticked down 0.3%, and Dunedin edged back just 0.1%.

The strongest regional gains were seen in Invercargill, up 2.7%, followed by Queenstown (+1.4%) and Napier (+1.2%). Christchurch values increased slightly, up (+0.4%), while Hamilton (+0.6%), Palmerston North (+0.2%), and Nelson (+0.1%) all recorded small quarterly increases.

QV National Spokesperson Andrea Rush said the housing market remains broadly flat, with small declines in most main centres offset by modest gains in parts of the South Island and regional Aotearoa.

“Listings and buyer activity have lifted this spring, but it hasn’t yet translated into sustained value growth. The market is still finding its footing after a long period of economic uncertainty, with confidence slowly returning as interest rates ease.”

She said the picture across the main centres remains mixed. “Auckland continues to lead national declines, while Wellington’s earlier downward trend appears to be stabilising. Christchurch has maintained its reputation for stability, with home values holding steady near their previous peak — though it’s notable the city didn’t see the same double-digit increases during the peak as other main centres. Elsewhere, regional cities such as Napier, Hamilton, and Palmerston North are showing renewed energy as the spring market gains momentum.”

“Further south, regional strength continues to underpin the national picture. Invercargill, Dunedin–Taieri, Queenstown, and the West Coast were among the strongest performers this quarter. Local economies remain steady, supported by tourism in Queenstown Lakes and the strong primary sector and relative affordability across Southland and Otago. While Queenstown is still the least affordable market in the country, values there remain firm thanks to ongoing demand and limited supply. Dunedin–Taieri once again recorded the strongest quarterly growth nationwide, underlining the resilience of southern markets.”

“Overall, the market is showing early signs of recovery, but progress remains uneven. While interest rate cuts and easier lending conditions are improving sentiment, high living costs and elevated unemployment are still weighing on household confidence.

QV expects values to remain relatively stable in the near term, with gradual growth likely to emerge in 2026 as economic conditions strengthen.”