It’s one of the cheapest places to buy in New Zealand - but could you live there?

Saturday, 27 June 2026

Taumarunui has the lowest average asking price, according to Trade Me Property. But affordability comes with trade-offs.

Trade Me Property ranked Taumarunui as New Zealand’s cheapest place to buy a home in the first quarter of 2026, with an average asking price of $349,950.

One local says it’s got a brilliant outdoor lifestyle but acknowledges it won’t be “everyone’s cup of tea”.

Trade Me say the town is increasingly attracting first-home buyers, retirees and remote workers priced out of bigger centres.

Just $160,000. That’s how much Jonathan Arahanga paid for his four-bedroom home on an acre section in Taumarunui only eight years ago.

House prices have exploded since then, but this town is still one of the cheapest places to buy in the country.

“It’s not a bad little place to be honest. It’s the sort of place you just begin to love,” Jonathan says. “But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

Bang for your buck

Taumarunui’s main street - part of State Highway 4 - runs parallel with the “main trunk line” immortalised in a Kiwi folk song.

As anyone familiar with the classic Kiwi folk song will know, Taumarunui is on the “main trunk line” - the rail route that drives through the heart of the North Island.

On the edge of the Tongariro National Park, and with a population of around 5000, its big industries are forestry, farming and tourism.

According to Trade Me Property data covering January-March of 2026, Taumarunui was the cheapest place to buy in the country, with an average asking price of $349,950.

The next cheapest were Westport ($399,450) and Castlecliff in Whanganui ($411,900).

Jonathan Arahanga says Taumarunui has plenty of appeal - but not a vibrant dating scene.

Compare that to the national average asking price on Trade Me in May - $833,800.

(Just to be clear, those numbers are based on the asking prices on Trade Me listings. They’re a different way of calculating the cheapest places to buy than median house price, which considers all sales in a given area and pinpoints the middle point of the market.)

Asking prices in Taumarunui reflect limited employment opportunities, a lower median income, isolation from major economic centres and an ageing housing stock, according to Ruapehu District Council.

But the town is attracting more remote workers, retirees and first-time buyers priced out of major cities.

Trade Me Property customer director Gavin Lloyd says it’s a good option for Kiwis “wanting more bang for their buck”.

The area around Taumarunui is a paradise for people who want to experience the great Kiwi outdoors.

“We continue to see a steady trend of house hunters looking at regional spots such as Taumarunui as they look to trade the city hustle for a change of pace and lifestyle.”

Outdoor paradise - and no tsunamis

With no traffic lights or parking meters and little open at night, Taumarunui could seem like a country town paused in time.

Jonathan knows this more than most. He grew up there and decided to move back after living in Australia.

“There’s cheap housing, plenty of hunting, fishing. If you’re into kayaking, climbing mountains and going skiing and that sort of jazz it’s definitely the place to be. We’re not going to get hit by a tsunami here anytime soon,” he says.

One downside? The dating scene.

“If you’re into cousin kissing, it definitely could be for you,” Jonathan laughs. “You’ve got to be careful around here, everyone is family.”

Jonathan actually moved to Australia to try to find a partner. It was a mission accomplished.

He moved back to Taumarunui with her and their family 12 years ago - and he has no plans to sell up any time soon.

“Coming to a small town like this, she had a bit of a culture shock. She cried for about three months because the closest dairy was in the National Park gas station, which closes at 7.30 at night. And the next one would be 45 minutes away.

“But now, she doesn’t see herself anywhere else to be honest.”

‘Put on some gumboots Paddy’

So should I move to Taumarunui? I asked Jonathan.

“It’s one of the cheapest places in New Zealand to buy a house at the moment. You could probably sell your house and buy three of them,” he says.

“I’m pretty famous around here. So there can only be one of us, but if you’re willing to share the load, Paddy… put on a pair of gumboots.”

This piece of editorial is part of the Paddy Gower Does Stuff property series brought to you by Tower. Stay tuned for other episodes and check out the Paddy Gower Does Stuff health series, releasing each week on Stuff.