Industry Videos

▶ 02:02 2025.08.02 From 18 Months to Just 7 Months! How Is a Chinese-New Zealand Builder Transforming Residential Development? In New Zealand, developing a site and completing homes can traditionally take 18 months or more. This Chinese-New Zealand builder has developed a different approach by running land development and house construction in parallel, reducing the overall development timeline to less than seven months. After three years of refining processes and working closely with councils and internal teams, the company has significantly reduced capital costs while incorporating features such as EV-ready infrastructure, automated irrigation systems and security cameras into its homes. Based in Christchurch, the company is using a faster, more integrated development model to explore new possibilities for residential construction in New Zealand.

▶ 01:43 2025.06.02 A Look Inside a Multi-Million-Dollar Auckland Mansion! Stunning Hobson Bay Views Take a one-minute tour inside one of Auckland’s luxury homes on Arney Road. Set on a 946m² site with 457m² of interior space, the property features four bedrooms, three ensuite bathrooms, three living areas and three garages, along with a climate-controlled wine cellar, study, entertainment room, swimming pool and landscaped garden. Recently renovated, the home offers stunning views of Hobson Bay, North Head and Rangitoto from almost every room, while its prestigious location and access to highly regarded schools highlight the lifestyle and long-term appeal of Auckland’s premium residential market.

▶ 01:14 2025.05.02 Inside a Luxury Remuera Waterfront Home! Stunning Harbour Views & Double Grammar Zone Step inside a luxury waterfront home in Remuera, one of Auckland’s most prestigious residential suburbs. Set on a 620m² site with 495m² of living space, the property features six bedrooms, three bathrooms and three garages, with its elevated northwest-facing position capturing stunning harbour and city views. The home includes an open-plan kitchen, multiple living areas, a spacious office and separate living spaces, while the outdoor area features a heated swimming pool, private spa and wood-burning fireplace. Located within the Double Grammar Zone and close to leading private schools, the property combines luxury living, natural beauty and sought-after educational amenities.

▶ 02:05 2025.04.02 Auckland’s Most Exclusive Suburbs Revealed! Where Is the Real Wealth? Where are Auckland’s most exclusive luxury suburbs? From the stunning waterfront homes of St Heliers and the prestigious heritage estates of Remuera to the expansive private properties of Coatesville, each area offers a very different vision of high-end living. In this episode, we explore some of Auckland’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, looking at waterfront views, historic estates, top schools, expansive land and privacy, and what these locations represent for high-net-worth families.

▶ 01:45 2024.12.02 New Overseas Investment Rules Take Effect! How Could the Return of High-Net-Worth Investors Affect New Zealand’s Luxury Property Market? New Zealand’s overseas investment settings have recently undergone changes, alongside updates to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) investment framework. As high-net-worth international investors bring more capital into New Zealand, questions are emerging about the potential impact on the property market, particularly at the higher end. This episode explores the relationship between overseas investment, AIP investors and New Zealand’s property market, and considers how the latest policy changes could shape future market activity.

▶ 02:00 2024.08.02 Even 20-Year-Old Homes Must Meet Healthy Homes Standards! What Does a Rental Property Inspection Check? In New Zealand, rental properties must meet the relevant Healthy Homes Standards before they can be rented out. In this episode, we take a closer look at a more than 20-year-old home and see what a professional property inspector checks during a rental compliance inspection. From insulation, heating and ventilation to window sealing and blocked gutters, even small details can affect whether a property meets rental requirements. New homes also need to meet the required standards, giving landlords confidence that their properties are ready to go to market.

▶ 01:44 2024.06.02 45 Years Through Market Cycles: How Has This Real Estate Agency Continued to Grow? Over 45 years, the New Zealand real estate market has experienced multiple challenging cycles. With interest rates coming down and early signs of renewed activity emerging, the agency reflects on its long-term growth. It has won Large Agency of the Year for 13 consecutive years and is part of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. From 23 branches in its early days to a growing network across Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, the agency continues to expand its presence in the New Zealand property market.

▶ 01:59 2024.05.02 "Treat Your People Well and They Will Repay You" — Barfoot & Thompson MD Peter Thompson on People-First Leadership Barfoot & Thompson is one of Auckland's leading real estate agencies. Managing Director Peter Thompson shares his people-first philosophy: for him, real estate is about witnessing hopeful first-home buyers move into their first home, and elderly homeowners leave their homes for retirement villages. He starts early, replies to emails immediately, and takes afternoons to visit three branches unannounced to talk with frontline staff and feel the pulse of the market. He believes 98% of people in the industry do a fantastic job, and that customer experience must always be the top priority. By always putting people first, he trusts that "treat your people well and they will repay you; genuinely care for your team and they will benefit the community" — that is what real estate is all about.

▶ 02:21 2024.04.02 5 Must-Know Keys to Land Development in New Zealand — Miss One and It Could Go Wrong Barfoot & Thompson consultant Rocky Liu walks through the five essential keys to land development in New Zealand — miss any one of them and a project can go wrong. He starts with land zoning and development restrictions (Single House, Mixed Housing Suburban, Mixed Housing Urban, and Terrace Housing and Apartment zones), then weighs buying land with RC (Resource Consent) and EPA approval — which can shorten the development timeline and save surveying time, though design changes may require new approvals — versus a "blank canvas" without them. He stresses subscribing to a LIM (Land Information Memorandum) report to check restrictions, planning information and risks such as flooding zones (especially after the 2023 floods) and the constraints of stormwater and wastewater pipes. He also covers geological reports (soil conditions, bearing capacity, volcanic rock, erosion and rockfall risks) and the surrounding environment — power poles, bush, creeks, electricity boxes, slope, and whether the land is coastal, bush or flat. Knowing these factors early helps assess project feasibility and budget.

▶ 00:45 2024.03.02 Barfoot & Thompson Sold 10,080 Homes in 2024, Up 20% — Holding About 40% of the Auckland Market Barfoot & Thompson has released its 2024 market performance figures. The company sold and settled 10,080 properties in 2024, up from 8,600 in 2023 — an increase of around 20% in sales volume. The average sale price reached $1,152,000, up about 4% from $1,104,000 in 2023. Overall, 2024 outperformed 2023, and Barfoot & Thompson now holds roughly 40% of the Auckland market — figures that also reflect the broader dynamics and trends of the Auckland real estate market.

▶ 01:26 2023.12.02 Developers Forced to Sell Below Cost — NZ Property Development Shifts Toward Higher Density New Zealand property development is under cost pressure. With high interest rates and holding costs, some developers are forced to sell below cost. Development contribution fees are also rising, and utilities such as Watercare and Vector can increase charges unexpectedly — for example, Vector may require a $250,000 transformer for a street, which must be installed before a project begins, or developers could wait four or five years. Integrating development contributions into a rating system has been discussed for years and is expected to gain more political traction this year. Meanwhile, permit-free backyard cottages can help homeowners earn extra income, and self-certification can cut red tape. In terms of sales volume, the market is shifting toward higher-density models — though not apartment-level — using town-centre zoning to build duplexes with decentralised parking, creating beautiful communities without excessive density.

▶ 01:55 2023.10.02 Rangitoto College School Zone Guide — NZ's Top Public High School, Median Home Prices $1M–$2M Rangitoto College is one of New Zealand's largest public secondary schools and has repeatedly topped the national public high school rankings, offering both NCEA and IB pathways with more than 60 courses. Its school zone sits on Auckland's North Shore, bounded by the South Pacific to the east and State Highway 1 to the west, linking five east-coast bays — Rothesay Bay, Murrays Bay, Mairangi Bay, Browns Bay and Campbells Bay — plus Sunnynook, Rosedale, Pinehill and Oteha along the motorway. Parts of Browns Bay and Oteha fall within the Rangitoto College–Long Bay College double zone, while parts of Campbells Bay and Sunnynook sit in the triple zone of Rangitoto College, Westlake Boys and Westlake Girls. According to Barfoot & Thompson sales data from January to September 2024, median home prices in the zone range between $1 million and $2 million. The area is dominated by large-land older homes, with some newly built standalone houses, offering lower density than Takapuna and a more convenient location closer to the city than Long Bay.