Watch Nathan's latest Christchurch property market update below, or keep scrolling to read the full article:
Autumn has settled into Christchurch, and while the days are cooler, the city continues to move forward with real momentum.
The progress of Te Kaha One NZ Stadium is a great example.
Projects of this scale are not just important for the region, they also reflect long-term confidence in Christchurch and help reinforce a strong foundation for future growth, even at a time when global headlines remain uncertain.
We are seeing that same steady confidence reflected in the property market
Recent REINZ data shows Christchurch continuing to hold its ground.
- The house price indec for Christchurch City has lifted 3.6% over the past month, and sits 3.9% higher year-on-year.
- Across Canterbury, the median house price is now sitting at $720,000, up 2.1% year-on-year.
These aren’t sharp movements, but the slow and steady growth which is exactly what a healthy, balanced market looks like.
Activity has also picked up. Sales volumes have improved compared to earlier in the year, and while the median time to sell is sitting around 52 days, buyers remain engaged.
Open homes are well attended, auctions are seeing participation, and in most cases, vendors are meeting the market with realistic expectations.
There are, of course, some natural pressures—both global and domestic
Ongoing global uncertainty and interest rate increases have caused some buyers, particularly those at the top end of the market, to take a more measured approach.
However, this is not consistent across the board. First home buyers remain active, and we continue to see strong migration into Christchurch from across the rest of the country.
Affordability, lifestyle, and long-term opportunity continue to attract people to the region.
Investors are also still present, although more selective. Where the fundamentals are right, interest is there. Established homes in good locations are performing well, and while parts of the townhouse market remain uneven, quality developments at the right price point continue to transact.
If there’s one word to describe the market right now, it’s balance
While Christchurch isn’t immune to global conditions, it’s also not standing still.
What we’re seeing is a market supported by strong local drivers, infrastructure investment, steady employment, relative affordability, and buyers who are taking a thoughtful, considered approach.
Over the coming months, we may see cost pressures, including higher commodity prices, start to flow through more broadly.
If and when that happens, having the right structure and strategy in place becomes even more important, especially for development projects.
Whether you’re looking to buy, build, invest, or simply review your current lending position, now is a good time to take stock—and the Squirrel team is here to help.
Ask the right questions, understand your options clearly, and make decisions based on what is happening locally, not just what you are hearing globally.
We’re here to support you work through that, step by step, so you can move forward with confidence.
About the author: Nathan Miglani, Squirrel Managing Adviser - Christchurch & South Island
Let’s just say Nathan’s not one to do things by halves. Since arriving in NZ over a decade ago, he’s built a Christchurch-based Loan Market franchise from scratch, turned it into an award-winning brokerage, and taken out the title Loan Market’s #1 mortgage adviser in Australasia in 2022. After rebranding to NZ Mortgages in 2023—and doubling down on customer-first service—he teamed up with Squirrel in 2024 to bring even sharper mortgage and funding solutions to clients. Regularly featured in the media, Nathan’s the guy you want in your corner for anything from business lending, property investment to construction finance.