New data reveals growth in homeownership and better housing condition
According to the latest data from the 2023 Census, homeownership in New Zealand has seen a slight increase.
Currently, 66% of households own their homes or hold them in a family trust, compared to 64.5% in 2018.
“This increase, although modest, reverses the downward trend in homeownership we've seen since the early 1990s,” said Rosemary Goodyear, Stats NZ principal analyst.
Auckland lags behind in homeownership
Among regions, Auckland continues to have the lowest homeownership rate at 59.5%, a figure that has barely changed from 2018.
In contrast, Tasman recorded the highest rate at 77.4%, showing a rise from 75.6%.
Districts near Christchurch and Wellington cities, like Waimakariri and Selwyn, also showed high ownership rates of 82.2% and 80.5%, respectively.
Fewer homes with damp and mould
Improvements in housing quality are evident, with 18.1% of homes experiencing dampness, down from 21.5% in 2018.
The presence of mould also decreased, with only 14% of homes affected, compared to 16.9% in 2018. However, Gisborne saw an increase in both dampness and mould due to severe weather conditions earlier in the year.
Increased use of energy-efficient heating
The use of heat pumps has surged, with 66.8% of homes now equipped with them – up from 47.3% in 2018.
Canterbury leads the way, with 81.2% of homes having heat pumps, while Auckland saw the largest increase, rising from 39.5% to 66.3%.
Landline use plummets, internet access rises
The 2023 Census also revealed a significant drop in landline use, with only 31% of households reporting having one, down from 62.5% in 2018.
Meanwhile, internet access has become almost universal, with 9 out of 10 households now connected, although access remains lower in rural districts, Stats NZ reported.
For more information, read the Stats NZ report.
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