Mortgage News

RBNZ still thinking about ways to slow the housing market

The Reserve Bank is still very worried about the housing market, particularly in Auckland, but has decided not to impose any further lending restrictions - for now.

Wednesday, May 11th 2016

In the just-released Financial Stability Report the bank says the country's financial system is resilient and continues to function effectively, but risks "have increased further in the past six months."

It highlights the dairy sector and housing as being two big risks. "Dairy prices remain low with global dairy supply continuing to increase. Many farmers now face a third season of negative cash flow with heavy demand for working capital.

“Imbalances in the housing market are increasing with house price inflation lifting again in Auckland, after cooling in late 2015 and early 2016 following new restrictions in investor loan-to-value ratios and government measures introduced in October.

“House prices have also begun increasing strongly in a number of regions across New Zealand, although house prices outside Auckland are generally much lower relative to incomes.

“The Bank remains concerned that a future sharp slowdown could challenge financial stability given the large exposure of the banking system to the Auckland housing market. Further efforts to reduce the imbalance between housing demand and supply in Auckland remain essential. This includes measures such as decreasing impediments to densification and greenfield development and addressing infrastructure and other constraints to increased housing supply.”

Deputy Governor, Grant Spencer, said: “In the banking system capital and liquidity buffers are strong and profitability is high.

“However, the system faces challenges. Internationally, credit spreads have widened, placing upward pressure on the cost of funds for New Zealand banks.

“While the moderation in house price inflation has been transitory, the LVR restrictions have substantially reduced the proportion of risky housing loans on bank balance sheets. This is providing an ongoing improvement to financial system resilience.

“The Reserve Bank is closely monitoring developments to assess whether further financial policy measures would be appropriate.

Comments

On Thursday, May 12th 2016 2:55 pm Ashley52 said:

As we all already know the house prices are increasing so quickly specially in Auckland and followed by Wellington and other cities. Regular people can not afford to get on the property ladder. Most of the houses are bought by the property investors which drive the house prices up so rapidly. I think it would make sense for banks to lend to investors at a higher interest rate. For example, 1.5-2% higher than residential (people who buy house to live in). This would help first time buyers to get on the property ladder as some of the recovered mortgage interest can from investor rates can be used to help. Secondly, it would help to stabilise the housing market to a more manageable/reasonable situation so house prices do not go through the roof so fast. Thirdly, banks do not need to borrow so much from overseas, less pressure for banks, government, and individuals for long term. Government can also bring a tax/stamp duty for property investors and money raised from these can be used to build more affordable houses in places where there is a high demand.

On Thursday, May 12th 2016 5:09 pm W k said:

regulators prefer to do it their way - the academic way - rather than to listen to effective and proven methods.

On Thursday, May 12th 2016 7:33 pm Ricardo said:

The sooner Keys and co and the reserve Bank accepted that unlimited foreign money (no NZ banks in sight) is what has caused the problem, the sooner they might come up with a real solution that helps Kiwis. The Canadian and Australian governments are only too painfully aware of the destructive force of the yuan. Anyone who believes the governments feeble attempt to roll out the 'Chinese buyers only represent 3 or 4% is seriously deluded. Spend a week at central city auctions and you will see who's money is pushing up Auckland prices.

On Friday, May 13th 2016 8:49 am AFA Muggins said:

We should invoke a quid pro quo policy - foreigners can only buy property in New Zealand if we can buy property in their country. That would wipe out Chinese investment for starters. Another option would be significant non resident withholding tax on sale of property. Those who are non resident would be discouraged from purchasing here.

Most Read

SBS FirstHome Combo 4.29
Unity First Home Buyer special 4.29
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 4.85
China Construction Bank 4.85
ICBC 4.85
TSB Special 4.89
Kiwibank Special 4.89
ASB Bank 4.89
Westpac Special 4.89
BNZ - Std 4.89
AIA - Go Home Loans 4.89
Nelson Building Society 4.93
ICBC 4.95
SBS Bank Special 4.95
China Construction Bank 4.95
Wairarapa Building Society 4.95
TSB Special 4.95
ANZ Special 4.95
ASB Bank 4.95
Kainga Ora 4.95
Westpac Special 4.95
AIA - Go Home Loans 4.95
SBS Bank Special 5.39
Westpac Special 5.39
ICBC 5.39
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.59
BNZ - Std 5.59
BNZ - Classic 5.59
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.59
ASB Bank 5.59
Kainga Ora 5.69
Kiwibank Special 5.79
ANZ 5.79
SBS Construction lending for FHB 3.94
AIA - Back My Build 4.44
CFML 321 Loans 4.99
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.95
Co-operative Bank - Standard 5.95
Heartland Bank - Online 5.99
Pepper Money Prime 6.29
Kiwibank - Offset 6.35
Kiwibank 6.35
TSB Special 6.39
ASB Bank 6.44

More Stories

Four decades of 6-7% yearly house price growth ending

Friday, March 21st 2025

Four decades of 6-7% yearly house price growth ending

New Zealander’s reliance on property capital gains in the mid-single digits is at an end.

[TMM Podcast] Yelsa serves up “marine reserve” of property buyers

Friday, January 31st 2025

[TMM Podcast] Yelsa serves up “marine reserve” of property buyers

It’s been years in the making and former real estate agent Mike Harvey is now coming to market with his platform matching buyers and sellers, an offering he says will be a gamechanger for the industry.

Leaving last year's stumbling housing market behind

Friday, January 17th 2025

Leaving last year's stumbling housing market behind

As interest rates ease and job losses climb, New Zealand’s housing market faces a mixed year of modest growth, with conflicting forces shaping the outlook for homebuyers and investors.

Don’t bet on house prices rising faster than incomes

Wednesday, January 15th 2025

Don’t bet on house prices rising faster than incomes

Former Reserve Bank Governor and National Party leader Don Brash says there are grounds for believing that house prices may finally have ended the three-decade period when they rose significantly faster than incomes.