🇳🇿 New Zealand

New Zealand's property market has been one of the world's most overheated relative to incomes, with Auckland's median house price reaching 10x the median household income at its peak. The market spans from cosmopolitan Auckland apartments to stunning Queenstown lakefront properties and charming Wellington character homes. New Zealand's appeal as a safe, English-speaking country with spectacular natural beauty has attracted significant international buyer interest, particularly from Australia, China, and the United States.

In 2018, the government passed the Overseas Investment Amendment Act, effectively banning most foreign buyers from purchasing existing residential property — one of the strictest restrictions in the developed world. Non-residents can still purchase new builds, helping direct foreign capital toward increasing housing supply. For domestic buyers, the market offers no stamp duty and relatively straightforward transactions. Regional centers like Hamilton, Tauranga, and Christchurch have become increasingly popular as remote work has enabled people to leave expensive Auckland, creating a more balanced national market.