The affordability reset: is the handbrake finally off?

Send us a question/idea/opinion direct via text message! The Q4 Affordability Report is out , and the data shows a significant shift in the New Zealand housing market. After four years of adjustments, key measures of affordability are returning to long-term averages - but as geopolitical tensions rise, will this recovery be cut short? This week, Nick and Kelvin provide essential property market advice on how to interpret these "normalising" figures and what the latest migration turnaround means for rental demand. They also tackle the uncomfortable economic ripple effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict and what it might mean for the Reserve Bank’s next move. In this episode, Nick and Kelvin discuss: The affordability reset: Why mortgage payments as a proportion of income have finally hit the 20-year average. Regional winners: Auckland and Wellington’s surprising status as "below average" for debt servicing costs. The rental challenge: Why renters are still facing a "28% burden" and how new migration arrivals could add pressure. Migration momentum: Analysing the net gain of 23,000 and the easing of departures. Geopolitical inflation vs. growth: The "petrol tax" on households and the risk of a medium-term recessionary impact. RBNZ watch: Is a November OCR hike now a "lock", and could it move even sooner? Sign up for news and insights or contact on LinkedIn , X @NickGoodall_CL or @KDavidson_CL and email ngoodall@cotality.com or kdavidson@cotality.com This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The hosts are not licensed Financial Advice Providers in New Zealand. All information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

You can listen to The affordability reset: is the handbrake finally off? online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The affordability reset: is the handbrake finally off? is an episode from The NZ Property Market Podcast by Cotality NZ.

This episode is 35:01 long.

This episode was published on Mar 16, 2026.

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