Sign of the times? Good pickings for holiday home buyers
Sunday, 19 April 2026
Property listings in traditional holiday hot spots are at high levels, but that makes for good buying options for those in the market for a bach, experts say.
New Zealand’s property market has been slow to recover from the sharp downturn that followed the Covid-era boom. That’s been exacerbated by tough economic conditions, and now the fuel crisis.
Baches are often sold off when the economic going gets tough, and new Realestate.co.nz analysis of a selection of popular holiday locations shows listings are up in many of them.
In Akaroa in Canterbury the number of homes on the market was up 16.7% annually in March, while in Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty listings were up 15.4%.
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Listings in Mangawhai in Kaipara, north of Auckland, were up 10%, while in Wanaka in Central Otago Lakes they were up 1.9%.
The Coromandel-Thames region, which includes holiday hotspots such as Whangamata and Hahei, had a 7.9% increase in stock for sale, but when broken down further, listings were up in some areas and down in others.
The same was true of Gisborne, and the Marlborough Sounds.
But the analysis shows a decrease in listings in many popular holiday spots on the Kapati Coast, such as Paraparaumu and Raumati, and around Whangarei, such as Tutukaka and Whangarei Heads.
And in Raglan in the Waikato listings were down 4.8% annually.
Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams says national stock levels were up 2.1% annually in March, but the small size of most holiday hotspot markets made for variable results.
None of the areas in the data stood out as having a “really substantial increase of stock”, she says.
“It is not like there are areas where there were 10 listings last year and 100 this year, and you can get a 100% increase if 10 listings goes to 20.
“The often small numbers of properties make it hard to get a good context, but there is still activity in these markets, they are ticking along.”
On a national level there was a 1.6% decline in new listings in March, although Coromandel and Gisborne were exceptions to the national trend, she adds.
Realestate.co.nz’s analysis did not reveal a consistent trend in prices on an annual basis, but some perennial favourites saw price declines.
They were down 17.7% in Whangamata, 16.6% in Mount Maunganui, and 2.2% in Whangarei Heads, but in Raglan, Akaroa and Wanaka prices rose 3.1%, 10.9% and 6.7% respectively.
The mixed data on listings and prices led the Sunday Star-Times to talk to agents in some holiday hotspots. Here’s what they have to say.
Bayleys Coromandel director Shaun Paterson says the level of stock on the market in his region is high, but listings are high everywhere.
“Over the four years since the market peak, activity has been slow, and that’s led to a build up of stock. But it makes for choices for buyers.”
He has not seen a downturn in Coromandel’s holiday home market out of proportion to the broader market, although uncertainty is impacting.
But his office had 21 sales in February and 21 in March, and last week they sold three holiday homes which is more than normal, he says.
“I’m not saying the market is on fire, but we’ve had some positive months, and were humming along until the conflict in the Middle East began.
“Now, inquiry is down a bit, but our actual volume of deals is fine at the moment.
“The boring reality is that we are going through the most stable period of real estate in years, prices are not up or down much, and buyers have options.”
Paterson says while there are challenges, even if the Middle East conflict continues that’s not necessarily bad for the holiday home market.
“Many people will prefer to holiday in the safety of New Zealand, rather than overseas. There’s increased inquiry from overseas buyers, including expats.”
Julie Hanna, from Ray White Raglan, has been selling real estate in Raglan for 27 years. She says the town’s market usually rides out economic storms.
In May the World Surf League Championship Tour is coming to Raglan for the first time, and that’s driving extra interest in property in the area, she says.
“We’re seeing an influx of people wanting to view properties near the beach. I have one listing looking out over the break, and people are flying in to view it.”
The level of stock on the market is normal, but the town tends to have quite a few listings at any given time, she says.
“I’m not seeing any sort of big shift in market data that leaves me asking ‘what’s going on here’, and sales are going well.
“While markets like Auckland might see big ups and downs, Raglan goes up, plateaus, and then goes up a bit more. It’s bubbling along as usual.”
Hanna says the increase in interest in properties close to surf areas could lead to more listings as the competition gets closer.
“And the Airbnb sector is expected to go crazy during the competition, so more people out there are wanting properties suitable for short-term rental.”
Bayleys Mount Maunganui branch manager Linda Greenslade says there is more stock coming on to the market, including some high quality waterfront properties.
She’s not sure what is motivating sellers. “But there’s still a situation where older stock hasn’t cleared, and newer listings are coming on so there’s a build up”, she says.
“I don’t get the sense people are rushing to put properties on the market now in case the market slows down again.”
Higher listings are being tempered by good demand, and her office is busy - although there is uncertainty around what the future holds, Greenslade says.
“But at the moment many of our agents are trucking around with several buyers looking at properties on the beach front.
“It could be because we have a mix of properties, not just holiday homes. The Mount is a commercial precinct, and there’s lots of owner-occupiers, so it’s different to more holiday focused markets.”
New Zealand is seen as a safe haven, and property has traditionally been a good investment, especially in popular areas like the Mount, she says.
“That’s likely to continue to influence the market here, and it will probably just truck on as usual, with maybe a little blip.”
Will Porter specialises in waterfront and lifestyle sales for Bayleys Marlborough. He says inventory in the region is at an all-time high, but the area it covers is huge.
“It’s a classic Kiwi thing to buy a bach and a boat when things are going well, but when things are not going so well the bach and the boat are the first things people get rid of.
“We have some spectacular properties listed, but they’re priced well, enquiry is good, and we’re still enjoying the interest of buyers priced out of holiday areas such as Wanaka.”
The advent of the war in the Middle East is tripping up the market a bit after he had his biggest year of sales ever last year, he says.
“Now, there’s uncertainty for people looking to spend. Holiday homes are discretionary spending, and uncertainty has a negative impact on the market.”
Fuel prices are an issue because many of his listings are in remote areas, which require significant driving time or even access by boat, Porter says.
“We get people taking a couple of days off to come and view properties here, and now that fuel costs have doubled that’s weighing on viewings.
“One silver lining is that it also reflects the sincerity of the purchaser. Enquiries now are connected to intent. That’s much better for us.”