The housing market may be heading for a soggy end to 2025, with sales slumping in November while prices moved sideways.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) recorded 7268 residential sales in November, down 4.4% compared to October, and down 5.7% compared to November last year.

The sales volume decline was particularly strong in the Auckland Region where the REINZ recorded 2234 sales in November. That’s down 5.5% compared to October, and 6.6% lower than November last year.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, sales in Auckland were 9.1% down from October.

For the rest of the country, excluding Auckland, November’s sales were 3.9% lower than October, and 5.3% lower than in November last year – see the interactive chart below for the full regional monthly sales trends.

Sales usually increase in November as the pre-Christmas summer season get’s into top gear, so this year’s November slump was unusual.

“This November marked only the sixth time in 33 years that New Zealand’s November’s sales count was below October’s, underscoring how unusual it is for activity to ease at this point in the seasonal cycle,” REINZ Chief Executive Lizzy Ryley said.

Prices little changed

At the same time prices basically moved sideways.

The REINZ House Price Index (HPI) was up just 0.1% in November compared to October, but down 0.2% compared to November last year.

The REINZ HPI is widely regarded as the most accurate indicator of residential price movements because it adjusts for changes in the mix of properties sold each month.

Around the regions the HPI declined in November versus October in Northland, Waikato, Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu/Whanganui, and Southland. It increased in Auckland, Wellington, Tasman/Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast, Canterbury and Otago. It was unchanged in the Bay of Plenty. See the table below for the full regional movements.

Select chart tabs

NZ total
Northland
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Manawatu
Taranaki
Wellington
Tasman
Nelson
Marlborough
West Coast
Canterbury
Otago
Southland

Select chart tabs

NZ total
Northland
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Manawatu
Taranaki
Wellington
Tasman
Nelson
Marlborough
West Coast
Canterbury
Otago
Southland

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