Property speculators’ paradise continues under National

Data released today by the Reserve Bank confirms that National continues to let property speculators drive the housing market, hurting first home buyers, the Green Party said.

New Reserve Bank mortgage lending data shows that in June, property investors borrowed $2.56 billion while first home buyers borrowed less than a third of that, just $738 million. Investors took out over 7,000 new mortgage loans in June, compared to only 1,970 mortgages for first home buyers.

“National is clearly more interested in helping property speculators buy their third or fourth house, than it is in helping first home buyers get into their own home,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

“Houses are for living in, not for making a quick buck, but under this Government, New Zealand has become a property speculators’ paradise while families are forced to live in cars.

“National has let property speculation get totally out of control.

“Investors have borrowed more in each of the last two months than in any other month since the Reserve Bank started collecting this data.

“With so many economists saying the housing market is more and more volatile, National is standing by while speculators pour fuel on the fire and increase the risk of a market crash.

“Our Government needs to show leadership like governments have in Vancouver, New South Wales, and Victoria, using new tools like stamp duties to stop non-resident property speculators.

“National refuses to take the steps that everyone knows are needed to dampen investor demand and fix the problem: a proper capital gains tax (excluding the family home), stopping overseas investors, and closing tax loopholes,” Mrs Turei said.

Latest Finance Announcements

Story

Budget 2026 hides a nearly $500 million KiwiSaver hole across the public service

The Green Party says Budget 2026 leaves a hole of nearly half a billion dollars, the cost of the higher employer KiwiSaver contribution for most of...
Read More

Story

Chlöe Swarbrick Budget speech 2026

Mr Speaker, the Greens want every New Zealander to feel proud of our country.  Not just for our history; for granting women the vote, standing agai...
Read More

Story

Cost of living driven by fossil fuels and power price hikes

The Green Party says new Stats NZ data shows a 2.1% increase in household living costs is driven by out of control fossil fuel and power prices, an...
Read More

Story

Soaring power prices show urgent need for electrification

The Green Party says today's inflation figures show power prices are once again a key driver of the cost-of-living crisis, and reinforce calls for ...
Read More

Story

The real cost of Willis’ failed economic strategy: empty chairs at Christmas

The Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) shows Nicola Willis’ “year of growth” has not only totally failed to deliver but has come at a ste...
Read More

Story

Greens respond to Labour’s CGT announcement

“Labour’s watered down Capital Gains Tax announcement today falls far short of meeting the needs of New Zealanders,” says the Green Party Co-Leader...
Read More

Latest Building and Construction Announcements

Story

Let’s build better, warmer, and climate-friendly

The Government must take steps to ensure that the way we build our homes is helping to meet New Zealand’s climate change targets, the Green Party s...
Read More

Sustainable buildings and warm dry homes

Everyone has the right to a warm, dry home. Instead, housing in Aotearoa often makes us sick from damp and cold. In Aotearoa, much of our housing s...
Read More

Story

National would rather save landlords some cash than look after sick kids: Green Party

The National Party is more concerned about the back pocket of property investors than sick kids and the elderly, Green Party Co-leader Marama David...
Read More

Story

Stop charging homeless people for emergency housing

The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop sending homeless people into thousands of dollars of debt with the Ministry of Social Develop...
Read More

Story

Green Party: Building code out of date and won’t ensure warm, dry homes

In response to calls for a compulsory energy rating for buildings the Green Party is renewing calls for the building code to take better account of...
Read More

Story

Green Party calling for bold steps to tackle issues in Salvation Army report

The Green Party agrees with the Salvation Army that bold new steps are needed to stop a worrying trajectory of increased rent rises and homelessnes...
Read More