The residential development sector in New Zealand is showing early signs of renewed momentum, following a period of softness driven by economic headwinds and post-COVID recalibration. The RESI25 Residential Development Summit, hosted by the Property Council of New Zealand in Auckland, brought together developers, policymakers, economists, and design leaders to explore what lies ahead for housing in Aotearoa.
As part of our ongoing work with developers across the country, PropertyRender attended this year’s summit to stay closely aligned with local market shifts and provide forward-thinking visualisation support for upcoming projects.
Market Confidence Begins to Return
According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Value Index, property values rose by +0.3% in February 2025—the most meaningful monthly increase in over a year. While values are still -16.9% below the peak of late 2021, they remain +17.1% above pre-COVID levels, reflecting a sense of stability returning to the market.
The improvement is not uniform across regions, but urban hubs such as Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, and Dunedin are leading the recovery. These green shoots were echoed throughout the RESI25 event, particularly in sessions highlighting student housing and medium-density development opportunities.
Student Accommodation Demand Surges
One of the standout themes of the summit was the growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). With international student enrolments up 14% in 2024, the sector is experiencing renewed investor interest. George Crawford of Precinct and Simon Neale from the University of Auckland discussed how demand is already outstripping supply, with 2025 seeing more than twice as many applications as there are available beds.
Simon Neale noted, “Student accommodation isn’t just about buildings—it’s about everything else you wrap around it.” For developers and investors, this signals an opportunity to deliver more than just housing: vibrant, student-centric communities designed for wellbeing and connection.
Bold Policy Announcements
Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Housing and Infrastructure, delivered two major updates that could significantly reshape the development landscape:
- The removal of LUC-3 zoning from the NPS-HPL, unlocking vast new areas for housing—reportedly equivalent to the size of the Waikato region.
- Government-backed finance for mid-sized greenfield developments (1,000–2,000 dwellings), delivered through the Infrastructure Funding and Finance Act.
Both announcements were well-received and demonstrate a commitment to addressing land supply and financing barriers—key concerns raised by many summit attendees.
The Role of Leadership and Community
Leadership strategist Bruce Cotterill wrapped up the summit with a powerful keynote centred around the “four C’s” of leadership: confidence, clarity, communication, and consistency. His reminder that “Property people change cities, communities, and lives” resonated strongly with the crowd.
Meanwhile, a community housing panel featuring Sir Bill English, Paul Gilberd, and Daniel Henderson discussed the need for more localised housing solutions. Sir Bill highlighted the importance of working with community-led organisations like Tāmaki Regeneration, stating that large, centralised providers often miss the nuanced needs of local residents.
Looking Forward
As mortgage affordability improves, land becomes more accessible, and international migration picks up again, developers have reason to be cautiously optimistic. However, challenges remain—including a soft labour market, elevated listings, and cost pressures in construction.
At PropertyRender, we’re proud to work with forward-thinking developers and marketers across New Zealand to visualise the future of housing. Whether it’s student accommodation, masterplanned communities, or boutique apartments, our high-impact 3D renders and marketing tools help bring projects to life before the first brick is laid.
PropertyRender.com stands as a premier 3D rendering studio, distinguished for its expertise in crafting captivating visual narratives tailored for undeveloped spaces. Our specialized focus caters to property developers and project marketers spanning across 15+ countries. We offer a comprehensive suite of services encompassing various render types, ranging from conceptual renders to lifelike marketing 3D visuals.
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