Christchurch Property Market 2026 — Why Confidence Is Rising

17 Dec

Christchurch Property Market 2026

Why Christchurch Is Now NZ’s Most Confident Regional Property Market (2026)

At the end of 2025, Christchurch is standing out among New Zealand’s regional property markets. Local confidence is up, a steady flow of new housing supply is coming online, and recent policy changes are making it easier for some buyers to get a foothold. In short: for buyers, investors and sellers who focus on Christchurch now, there are clearer opportunities than in many other regions.

What’s driving the confidence

A national survey of residential market professionals found Canterbury (Christchurch’s region) reporting the strongest residential property market confidence among New Zealand’s regional centres — a sign that local demand, employment confidence and price expectations are more positive here than in many comparable cities.

At the same time, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand confirmed it will ease some loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions from 1 December 2025, meaning a slightly higher portion of new owner-occupier loans can be made to buyers with deposits under 20% — a measured step intended to improve access while maintaining overall stability. This policy tweak can nudge activity among first-home buyers and those returning to the market.

1. Affordability & suburbs to watch

Christchurch’s median values remain below the national median, and well-priced homes under approximately NZ$700k are still being snapped up in certain suburbs. Local agents report strong interest in suburbs such as Redwood, Belfast, Bishopdale, Hornby and Broomfield — places where demand from first-home buyers is concentrated. If you’re writing neighbourhood guides or targeting first-home buyer queries, these suburb names are search gold for December.

2. Supply: new builds are meaningful here

One reason Christchurch is able to sustain activity is its pipeline of new dwellings. Recent data shows Christchurch consented a notably high number of new homes through 2025 — well above long-term annual targets in recent periods — which means buyers have more choice and developers are actively building. That combination softens supply shocks and creates opportunities for both buyers seeking modern layouts and investors seeking new-build rental stock.

3. Buyers want sustainability and flexible space

Across 2025, buyer preferences continue to evolve: energy efficiency, passive design, solar readiness, high-quality insulation and multifunctional rooms (home offices / study nooks) are frequently requested features. Listings that highlight “energy-efficient”, “low running costs”, or “home office + fast fibre” tags get better engagement. If you can showcase sustainability credentials or smart-home features in listings and blog content, you’ll match what modern Christchurch buyers are searching for.

What this means for different market players

First-home buyers: With eased LVRs from December, some buyers with smaller deposits may find incremental access — but affordability and debt servicing remain key. Focus on suburbs offering strong value and transport links.
Investors: Look for supply-constrained pockets where rental demand remains firm. New builds in growth corridors can offer modern tenants and lower immediate maintenance. CBRE’s regional insights suggest yields and rents are stabilising into 2025/2026, improving the total return story for selected assets.
Sellers & agents: Emphasise sustainability features, smart-home readiness, and professionally staged flexible spaces in marketing. If your listing is in an “affordable hotspot”, highlight local schools, commuting times and recent median trends.

FAQ (People Also Ask)

Why is Christchurch doing better than other regional centres?
Local demand, healthy consenting of new homes and improving economic confidence have combined to give Canterbury high market sentiment compared with other regions.

Which Christchurch suburbs are most affordable for first-time buyers?
Redwood, Belfast, Bishopdale, Hornby and Broomfield have been highlighted in recent market updates as suburbs where well-priced stock under ~NZ$700k is attracting quick offers.

Will easing LVRs make it easier to buy in Christchurch?
Yes — the RBNZ’s move (effective 1 Dec 2025) allows a slightly larger share of loans to be written to buyers with smaller deposits, which can improve access for some buyers, though lending conditions still depend on each bank’s policies and overall borrower serviceability.

  
    <script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Why is Christchurch doing better than other regional centres?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Strong local demand, healthy new-home consenting, and improving economic confidence have combined to give Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region higher market sentiment compared with other regional centres."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Which Christchurch suburbs are most affordable for first-time buyers?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Suburbs such as Redwood, Belfast, Bishopdale, Hornby, and Broomfield are considered among the more affordable options for first-time buyers, with well-priced homes under approximately NZ$700,000 attracting strong buyer interest."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Will easing LVRs make it easier to buy in Christchurch?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Yes. The RBNZ’s easing of loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions effective 1 December 2025 allows a greater share of lending to buyers with smaller deposits, which may improve access to the Christchurch property market. However, approval still depends on individual bank policies and borrower serviceability."
      }
    }
  ]
}
</script>

  

Ready to Build Your Dream Home in Christchurch?

RM Homes can help you navigate the 2025 market with ease. From finding the perfect suburb to optimising your plans for sustainability and smart-home features, we make building your ideal home straightforward.

Start your home-building journey today — reach out to RM Homes and turn your vision into reality.

RM Home is based in Christchurch | Serving Selwyn, Lincoln, Rangiora, Rolleston & Waimakariri

For urgent requests, call us via 03 365 1126 / 021 026 81905 or send us an email to info@rmhomesct.nz

Edbert Deliezo