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Property Market – Regional resilience but weaker main centres in May – Cotality

Source: Cotality

Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged down by -0.1% in May and remain -1.6% below a year ago.

The latest slight fall in values on the Cotality hedonic Home Value Index comes after some previous months of modest gains, with the national median now at $818,132. That remains 16.3% below the January 2022 peak.
Values were patchy around the main centres in May, with Kirikiriroa Hamilton inching up by +0.1%, but Ōtepoti Dunedin and Tauranga both edging down by -0.1%. Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland dipped by -0.3%, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington by -0.4%, and after a period of resilience, Ōtautahi Christchurch fell by -0.8%.
Cotality NZ (formerly CoreLogic) Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said May’s figures were a reminder that any emerging housing upturn could well remain slow and variable for the time-being, both from month to month and across regions.
“Lower mortgage rates are clearly going to be bolstering households’ confidence as well as their wallets, and there were signs of higher loan-to-value and debt-to-income ratio lending activity in the latest Reserve Bank figures.”
“But it’s not one-way traffic. After all, housing isn’t necessarily affordable in absolute terms, while the economy and labour market remain subdued too. Indeed, filled jobs edged lower again in April. These are certainly restraints on buyers’ willingness to push ahead with property deals or to pay higher prices.”
“May’s drop in values at the national level was fairly trivial and could be reversed next month. But anybody who was anticipating a sharp or widespread increase in property values as we got further into 2025 continues to be disappointed.

National and Main Centres
Change in dwelling values
 Region
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median  value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
-0.3%
-0.6%
-2.7%
-21.4%
$1,073,222
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
0.1%
1.0%
1.4%
-10.5%
$754,800
Tauranga
-0.1%
-0.5%
-1.0%
-16.3%
$918,320
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
-0.4%
-0.2%
-5.2%
-23.9%
$797,126
Ōtautahi Christchurch
-0.8%
-0.2%
0.6%
-6.0%
$695,117
Ōtepoti Dunedin
-0.1%
-0.8%
-0.9%
-10.9%
$610,669
Aotearoa New Zealand
-0.1%
-0.1%
-1.6%
-16.3%
$818,132
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
 Region
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median  value
Rodney
0.4%
0.5%
-2.5%
-19.6%
$1,227,830
Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
-1.0%
-1.6%
-1.4%
-18.4%
$1,283,925
Waitakere
0.0%
-0.6%
-1.7%
-23.3%
$940,295
Auckland City
-0.3%
-0.9%
-4.0%
-22.2%
$1,149,279
Manukau
-0.3%
-0.1%
-2.6%
-22.6%
$1,000,134
Papakura
-0.6%
-0.8%
-1.8%
-22.0%
$840,185
Franklin
0.2%
1.3%
0.1%
-19.3%
$969,887
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
-0.3%
-0.6%
-2.7%
-21.4%
$1,073,222

May was a patchy month for the various sub-markets across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, with Rodney recording a +0.4% rise, Franklin up by +0.2%, and Waitakere holding steady. But Auckland City and Manukau both fell by -0.3%, with Papakura (-0.6%) and North Shore (-1.0%) registering even larger drops.

Franklin and Rodney remain higher than three months ago, but the rest of Auckland’s sub-markets have seen values drop since February (albeit only -0.1% in Manukau).

Mr Davidson said, “Auckland is a pretty good example of the wider forces that are playing out across the housing market at present. In an environment where lower interest rates are being counteracted by other restraints, the tr

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NZ’s firefighters demonstrate life-saving extraction skills in Feilding

Source: United Fire Brigades' Association

Tragically, 2025 has already seen 147 fatal road crashes on NZ roads, which trending higher than this time last year – and who is first on the scene in many areas of the country? Our firefighters are.
Firefighters today do far more than put water on fire. They now respond to as many medical emergencies and road crashes as they do fires.
Along with Police and Ambulance, firefighters respond to some of the worst scenes imaginable.
The United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) Road Crash Rescue Challenge supports the development of our members’ skills in these high-stress and life-threatening situations.
The challenge is treated with the seriousness and professionalism of real-life and death scenarios while providing a realistic simulation in a controlled and safe environment.
Imagine a scene where a car has flipped over onto its roof, wedged against a dangerously leaning pole. The driver lies suspended, unconscious and bleeding. In the dim light it’s hard to know whether there are fractures, cuts or worse. Shattered glass litters the road.
Everyday, our members from over 600 paid and volunteer fire brigades across Aotearoa must make precise and difficult calls in these situations, deciding on the safest, most efficient way to extricate a patient, while a life literally hangs in the balance.
From Thursday 12 to Saturday 14 June, over 110 firefighters from all across the country will gather in Feilding at the UFBA Road Crash Rescue Challenge to take part in complex, timed rescues – working in teams to remove live ‘patients’ from multiple crash scenes using real vehicles, real tools and real pressure.
It’s raw, intensely visual, and an exciting test of firefighters’ critical life-saving skills and teamwork that demonstrates the mental and physical demands of real-life patient extraction in serious car crashes or medical situations.
The UFBA Road Crash Rescue Challenge is supported by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and AA Insurance who have supplied all the wrecked vehicles used in the simulations – meaning that damaged vehicles are re-purposed for good.
This event is open to the public; it’s a great opportunity for a close-up experience of what firefighters do.
Location: Manfeild Park Stadium, 59 South Street, Feilding Date/Times: Thursday 12 June: 12pm to 5pm Friday 13 June: 9.30am to 5pm Saturday 14 June: 9am to 2pm
About the UFBA – for over 140 years the United Fire Brigades’ Association has been the leading association representing firefighters in New Zealand. Today our services support c.14,000 firefighters throughout the fire and emergency services sector by providing advocacy, skills-based challenges, workshops, and service honours.
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Choose Clean Water: Changes to Fish & Game continue Coalition’s handover of power to polluters

Source: Choose Clean Water – Tom Kay

Changes announced to Fish & Game this morning are another move in the Coalition Government’s handover of power to intensive farming and other polluting commercial interests, and will result in the further degradation of our rivers and freshwater, say freshwater campaigners.

Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay says the changes announced today are clearly designed to remove Fish & Game’s ability to advocate for the health of rivers.

“Fish & Game has used its statutory purpose as a strong advocate for the health of rivers across New Zealand, and as such has helped protect numerous rivers from pollution and degradation.”

“There are some things about the system that do need fixing, but this is not only about that—this is the Coalition Govt taking advantage of an opportunity to reduce Fish & Game's influence over polluters.”

“When environmental groups, local community groups, or iwi can’t afford to legally challenge a damaging activity or poorly made decision, Fish & Game is often there to ensure waterways are protected—working on behalf of their members to protect habitat for fish. But this Government is trying to stop that.”

The Coalition has stated that Fish & Game’s advocacy functions will be “revised” so regional Fish & Game Councils will only be able to take court action in relation to advocacy if explicitly approved by the New Zealand Fish & Game Council or the Minister and within a new restricted advocacy policy.

This morning’s press release from Minister for Hunting and Fishing James Meager on the changes states they will restrict the organisation’s ability to undertake court proceedings and require “Fish & Game councils to better consider the interests of other stakeholders such as farmers and the aviation sector in decision-making”.

“It’s telling that the Government has said specifically that it wants Fish & Game to better consider farming interests. Why not public health interests? Why not the interests of future generations? Why not the myriad of other commercial interests that operate in our communities? This demonstrates that this decision is another example of the Government enabling more pollution in rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources, and the handing of more power over our water to polluting commercial interests like intensive farming.”

“We know how detrimental the influence of Ministers can be over the statutory purposes of agencies like the Department of Conservation to protect our environment, for example. This is another case of Ministers being given the power to step in and stop actions that would protect our environment.”

Fish & Game led the processes to secure many Water Conservation Orders—similar to National Parks—for our rivers, protecting them for anglers and the public alike to enjoy. In 2002 they launched a large campaign against “Dirty Dairying” and the conversion of land into intensive agriculture, particularly in the South Island.

More recently, Fish & Game took up a legal challenge against ongoing extreme pollution of Southland’s waterways where dairy interests were wrongly claiming “there is no evidence of diffuse discharges from farming activities, either individually or cumulatively, causing adverse effects, including significant adverse effects on aquatic life”.

“Proponents of damaging, intensive agriculture and other major polluters are all over this Government’s decisions. This decision stinks of undue influence.”

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Climate – Fifth-Warmest Autumn on Record Brings Wet Weather to the South Island – Seasonal Climate Summary – NIWA

Source: NIWA

Autumn 2025 was New Zealand’s fifth-warmest on record, with nationwide average temperatures above the long-term seasonal average for almost all the country, according to NIWA’s latest seasonal climate summary. 
Almost all regions experienced above-average temperatures, driven by more frequent northeasterly winds and persistently high-pressure systems. 
It was a warm autumn, wet for eastern and northern parts of the South Island, says NIWA Climate Scientist Gregor Macara . 
The data shows it was a wetter-than-usual autumn for eastern and northern parts of the South Island, while Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and western Bay of Plenty also saw above normal rainfall. 
Meanwhile, areas such as Dunedin, Whanganui, and Hawke’s Bay remained drier than usual over the three month period, March to May. 
Two major weather events marked the autumn season: heavy flooding in Canterbury at the end of April, which prompted a state of emergency in multiple districts, and ex-tropical cyclone Tam, which impacted the North Island in mid-April. 
Extreme conditions included a high of 33.6°C in Timaru, a low of -5.0°C in Manapouri and Tūrangi, and the highest 1-day rainfall of 290 mm, recorded at Tākaka on 3 April. 
Among the main centres, Auckland was the warmest, Tauranga the sunniest and wettest, and Dunedin the driest and least sunny. More detailed information, including records and local data, is available at https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/seasonal 
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Youth Take Root: A Rocha Aotearoa environmental organisations aim to plant 1,500 trees to support World Vision 40 Hour Challenge

Source: World Vision 

 

AUCKLAND / CHRISTCHURCH, NZ – A Rocha Aotearoa is undertaking a massive tree planting drive in Auckland and Christchurch on Saturday, 14 June to seed more than 1,500 trees to support this year’s World Vision 40 Hour Challenge.

 

The Christian environmental organisation will gather Youth Groups from across the country to roll up their sleeves and plant native trees to raise funds to support the one in six children in the Pacific who face severe food insecurity due to climate change. 

 

James Beck from A Rocha Aotearoa says, “By partnering with World Vision, we’re giving young people an opportunity to plant hope – quite literally – by restoring native bush and improving biodiversity. The climate crisis can feel overwhelming – but small, local actions really do add up. This is about more than planting trees – it’s about planting seeds of justice, hope, and resilience.”

 

In Auckland, the teams of young people will gather to plant at Unsworth Reserve in Unsworth Heights to restore the ecological balance of the reserve, contributing to a healthier urban environment.  They will have support from World Vision, the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, and local churches.

 

In Christchurch, youth will gather at South Shore Spit Reserve—an internationally significant ecological site—to help regenerate native vegetation and protect habitats for migratory birds. The project will be run in collaboration with the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, Christchurch City Council, and forms part of A Rocha’s Good News Project, which equips young people to care for creation as an expression of their faith.

 

World Vision Associate National Director TJ Grant says the organisation values partnerships with organisations like A Rocha.

 

He says through activities, like planting native trees and raising funds for communities affected by climate change, the partnership demonstrates that local action can have a global impact. It’s a powerful example of hope, connection, and doing good—together.

 

“These tree planting events are a powerful example of hope, connection, and doing good—together. We know that climate change isn’t just a distant issue—it’s something we can respond to in our own communities and on behalf of our neighbours across the Pacific. Whether you're planting trees, taking on a personal 40 Hour Challenge, or donating, every action counts.”

 

Youth groups interested in participating in either of the events can register online through A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand. To learn more about the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, visit worldvision.org.nz/40hour.

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PSA – Petition launched to save Rauaroha – Segar House psychotherapy service

Source: PSA

The PSA is launching a petition today in partnership with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists in support of continued funding for a specialist mental health facility serving patients with complex needs.
Rauaroha – Segar House received notice in May that Te Whatu Ora is considering its disestablishment, 50 years after it was first opened in Auckland.
Designed expressly to meet complex needs, the care at Segar House is multi-disciplinary, with a psychiatrist, psychologists, psychotherapists and an art therapist on staff.
“We’re devastated, gutted really, that the Government is looking at cutting Segar House,” an anonymous clinician who works at the centre said.
“The people we work with have highly complex health histories, with more than one diagnosed issue, as well as horrific early trauma. They can only come to us when they’ve already exhausted all other options – we are the last in the line for them.
“Without us, frankly, we’d already have lost these clients to suicide.”
The wrap-around service provided by Segar House puts an emphasis on relationships and group social interactions to build confidence and ensure graduating clients can live full, social lives in the community.
The proposal put forward by Te Toka Tumai, the Central Auckland arm of Te Whatu Ora, argued that the service was under-utilised, and that its resources were better used elsewhere.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the under-utilisation was down to overly restrictive referring rules that meant clients had to exhaust every other option for care, even if their condition otherwise met criteria.
“The clinicians who work at Segar House are in the unusual position for New Zealand in that they’d like to care for more patients, not less.
“After continued pressure from staff, the centre ran a trial last year where they dropped certain referral rules, and unsurprisingly, received more clients who were a good fit for their service.
“The under-utilisation of Segar House has been entirely created by Te Toka Tumai, who have then turned around and blamed the facility for it.
“Cutting this highly specialist, completely unique service that has helped so many people makes zero sense. Surely the answer here would be to retain the service and change the referral rules, rather than cut it altogether.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health, and community groups.
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Local News – New library for Cannons Creek gets go-ahead – Porirua

Source: Porirua City Council

A new library to be built in Cannons Creek in Porirua in the next two years is being hailed by the Mayor and city councillors as a facility current and future generations will be proud to call their own.
The new building, to be placed on Bedford Reserve, near Cannons Creek Pool, will cost $4 million. Funding comes from already existing budgets within Council’s 2024-34 Long-term Plan.
A report to Council’s Te Puna Kōrero meeting on Thursday outlined safety concerns about the current library, which is located alongside other shops, including instances where staff have had to secure the building due to disorder happening outside.
The Cannons Creek Library, established in 1985 after taking over a former draper’s shop, is “difficult to secure safely”, the report says. Despite this, it is a vibrant community space that has school visits and has become a thriving after-school spot, has a public computer hub and is a drop-in place for people to connect and relax. It also has a NZ Post box.
The report also notes the ageing 1960s building has a leaky roof, limited natural light and heating, inadequate staff areas and not enough seating or study space. The building next door is potentially earthquake-prone and a seismic assessment of the library building is due in September this year.
Mayor Anita Baker said a new library was critical for the suburb and will create a better environment for library staff and visitors.
“We’ve had unsafe actions out on the street that have come into the library itself,” she said.
“This is overdue for our community and something our people have wanted for a long time.”
Cr Geoff Hayward said this was not just about upgrading a building, but “preparing a waka for the journey ahead”.
“This is a gift, a vessel of learning, open to all,” he said.
“This community that has been waiting patiently for a facility that reflects its wairua, its mana and future. A new library is saying ‘Cannons Creek matters’.”
The library will be built with modular technology, meaning it will constructed in a factory and transported to the site, and can be added to or enlarged in the future if required. It will also have new computers for the public to use.
Originally, $20 million was set aside for a community hub in Cannons Creek in the 2018-38 Long-term Plan, but agreeing to the $4 million proposal and bringing the project forward was supported by Mayor Baker and councillors.
The community will be consulted during the design stage of the project.
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Federated Farmers – Fish & Game advocacy function under review

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers says proposed changes to Fish & Game are a step in the right direction, but concerns remain about the organisation’s ability to engage in highly political advocacy.
“Farmers have been very clear with Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager about our concerns and frustrations with Fish & Game,” says Federated Farmers hunting spokesperson Richard McIntyre.
“There is certainly some merit in what the Minister is proposing with these reforms in terms of modernising, professionalising and centralising many of Fish & Game’s functions.
“Some of these changes are long overdue and will go a long way in improving the performance and efficiency of the organisation – and that needs to be acknowledged.
“We’re also welcoming a review of Fish & Game’s advocacy function, something Federated Farmers have been vocal in calling for, but we have serious concerns changes won’t go far enough.”
The proposed reforms will mean the New Zealand Fish & Game Council will be able to set a direction that is binding on regional Fish & Game Councils regarding advocacy.
Regional Fish and Game Councils will only be able to take court action in relation to advocacy if explicitly approved by the New Zealand Fish & Game Council or the Minister.
“The devil is going to be in the detail when these changes are made, but Federated Farmers will be watching the Minister’s moves very closely to make sure he delivers,” McIntyre says.
“In practice, what farmers really want to know is whether Fish & Game will still be able to block practical, common-sense actions like removing gravel from rivers when it’s needed.
“We also want to have confidence they will no longer be able to run highly political anti-farming campaigns or waste everyone’s time with expensive and unnecessary court cases.”
While proposed changes are definitely a step in the right direction, Federated Farmers are questioning whether it’s appropriate for Fish & Game to play any role in political advocacy.
“Our argument is that Fish & Game are a statutory body who collect compulsory licence fees from hunters and fishers,” says Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick.
“If you want to hunt or fish you have to pay Fish & Game their fee. You don’t get a choice, but then they take that money and use it to attack farmers or push their personal policy agendas.
“They shouldn’t be able to charge those compulsory fees and then use them to behave like an environmental activist group, particularly when their advocacy doesn’t align with the views of most hunters and fishers.
“I think most people would agree that far too much money has been wasted on highly political advocacy and litigious court cases that have little benefit for sports fish or game birds.
“The Minister needs to make sure he gets these reforms right. He needs to get Fish & Game out of political advocacy and refocus them on their core business.”
Federated Farmers will continue to engage constructively with the Government throughout the select committee process to ensure farmers concerns are adequately addressed. 
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Climate – Warm May Caps Off a Sunny Autumn for Much of New Zealand – NIWA – New Zealand Climate Summary: May 2025

Source: NIWA

Last month brought warmer-than-average temperatures to most of the country, marking it as New Zealand’s 10th-warmest May on record, according to NIWA’s latest climate summary for May 2025.
Inland and southern parts of the South Island experienced particularly warm conditions, with some areas recording temperatures more than 1.5°C above average.
Rainfall varied across New Zealand, with eastern and southern regions experiencing below-normal rainfall and sunny skies for May, and Lake Tekapo recording its sunniest May since records began in 1928. In contrast, parts of the upper South Island and central North Island were wetter than usual.
Extreme weather events included a high of 24.2°C in Gisborne and Christchurch, a low of -5.0°C in Manapouri and Tūrangi, and a wind gust reaching 200 km/h at Cape Turnagain.
Tauranga topped sunshine and rainfall among main centres, while Auckland was the warmest, Dunedin the driest and least sunny, and Christchurch was the coolest. The three sunniest locations in 2025 so far are Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, and Auckland.
There is more detailed information at the full Monthly Climate Summary, available at https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/monthly
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Energy Sector – Past Policy Choices Coming Home to Roost

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

For yet another year, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) data published today shows that estimates for New Zealand’s gas reserves are rapidly declining.
There has been a 27 per cent year-on-year reduction in natural gas reserves, dropping to 948 petajoules from 1,300 in 2024, which was 20 per cent down on the previous year. Production is now forecast below 100 PJ by 2026, rather than 2029, as previously forecast.
Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the $200 million Crown co-investment in new domestic gas projects, the removal of the 2018 exploration ban, and changes proposed through the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill are all great signs that the Government is working hard to turn the corner on the deindustrialisation of the New Zealand economy.
“We acknowledge the Government is moving to support the strong potential of our domestic gas supply. But only time will tell if this will be enough.”
Carnegie says the ongoing challenges with gas supply underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to secure energy stability and support New Zealand’s economic resilience.
“We know there are still prospective fields out there – now we need to see the right conditions continue so that we can unlock the supply.
Kiwi businesses are doing it tough as gas supply becomes further constrained. We desperately need more natural gas in the market to ensure electricity is available to keep the lights on and our export economy thriving.”
Currently, we’re witnessing the consequences of a shrinking domestic gas supply: higher prices, the use of imported coal, and uncertainty for industrial users, Carnegie says. 
“Natural gas plays a critical role in supporting renewables, powering industry, and keeping energy affordable and reliable.
Gas production projects underpin everything from electricity to industrial manufacturing. If we don’t continue to work hard on securing more domestic gas for New Zealand, we risk higher prices, more imported coal use, and further instability.”
If New Zealand can get this right, the benefits are enormous: jobs, royalties, export earnings, and the confidence of regional businesses to expand, knowing they have secure and affordable energy for the future.