Precinct Properties will go ahead with a planned $NZ681 million ($A630.79 million) development in downtown Auckland, including a 39-storey waterfront office tower and retail centre.

New Zealand's Reserve Bank is handing homeowners an early Christmas present, lowering the official cash rate to a record low 2.5 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is widely tipped to deliver an early Christmas present for homeowners by cutting the official cash rate on Thursday.

Are you struggling to buy a first home? Maybe it's time to think about becoming a landlord instead. Property experts say making your first house purchase an investment property is something that should pay off in the long run. David Whitburn, director of FUZO property, spent years living in rental properties while he built up his own investment portfolio. "It was a sacrifice that helped us get ahead."

New Zealand landlords will have to insulate their houses and install smoke alarms under legislation that's just been introduced to parliament.

NPT, New Zealand's listed property investor, increased first-half earnings 6.1 per cent as rental income from its retail buildings dragged up revenue, while a lift in the value of its overall property portfolio almost doubled profit.

New Zealand's largest housing development has clocked up 500 completed new homes and another 389 are under construction.

Insurance firm Tower has posted an annual loss as it prepares for more expensive claims from the Canterbury spate of earthquakes, but raised its dividend payout.

The $30 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund is the best performing sovereign wealth fund over the past five years, generating returns of more than 17 per cent a year.

Real estate agents may get a hard time, but a recent survey of consumer satisfaction has found Kiwis hold a high degree of satisfaction with their agents.