Watch Nathan's latest Christchurch property market update below, or keep scrolling to read the full article:
We’ve had a settled stretch of weather across the region over the past month, but interest rates have been on the move.
Depending on how the inflation figures play out, rates may rise sooner and by more than previously signalled as it works to keep that under control.
It’s no reason to panic but keeping in good communication with your adviser will be key throughout the rest of the year.
From our side, the year started strongly, with high settlement numbers in March and April.
To no one’s surprise things are more measured as of late, with global uncertainty putting a handbrake on the optimism we had at the end of 2025.
Christchurch is avoiding some of that mellow market energy, and first home buyers are still active across the city - but they’re taking longer to make decisions.
At the same time, we’re doing a lot of work helping clients restructure lending, refinance, consolidate debt, and look at low-deposit options for new builds and turnkey homes.
That more balanced feel is showing up in the Christchurch market as well.
Here are some of the key figures (from REINZ) for April:
- Median house prices at $720,000, up just over 4% on the same time last year.
- Sales volumes eased slightly from March, but remained broadly in line with last April, with 701 properties sold across the month.
- Homes are also taking longer to sell, which fits with what we're seeing on the ground. Buyers are still there, but they're weighing things up more carefully.
Commercial and development activity continues to build
Particularly through inner-city suburbs such as Merivale, St Albans and Papanui, while Selwyn, especially Darfield, is showing strong growth.
North Canterbury also remains attractive on affordability. In other words, this is not a market in retreat. It is a market becoming more selective, with some areas pressing ahead while others pause and reassess.
It’s the right time to seek advice about your lending. Having a clear plan will help you get your finance on the right track, ahead of any further rate rises.
Whether you’re buying, building, or just needing to rethink your strategy, we are here to help.
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.