Property

The good life – without the work

If there is one thing thousands of small-block owners have discovered, it is that having a lifestyle does not necessarily mean having a life.

Sunday, July 11th 2004

Townies flocked to buy five-hectare (12-½ acre) lifestyle blocks within commuting distance of their office jobs. But many put their land back on the market after discovering its upkeep left them no time for leisure.

Now a new breed of lifestyler is seeking the good life, aiming to get the best of both worlds, urban and rural.

The new lifestyler lives on a small block, typically less than 3ha, among a cluster of fellow country-lovers. It is not big enough to make any money from, but there is room for the kids to have a couple of ponies or pet lambs, for an extensive garden, and a feeling of peace and quiet.

Read More - Opens in a new window

Most Read

Unity First Home Buyer special 4.15
SBS FirstHome Combo 4.29
ICBC 4.49
Kainga Ora 4.59
SBS Bank Special 4.69
Nelson Building Society 4.69
TSB Special 4.69
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 4.74
AIA - Go Home Loans 4.75
ASB Bank 4.75
Kiwibank Special 4.75
China Construction Bank 4.95
Kainga Ora 4.95
ICBC 4.99
Nelson Building Society 5.09
Kiwibank Special 5.19
ASB Bank 5.25
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.25
TSB Special 5.25
Unity Special 5.29
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 5.29
BNZ - Std 5.29
Westpac Special 5.49
SBS Bank Special 5.49
BNZ - Std 5.49
AIA - Go Home Loans 5.59
ASB Bank 5.59
ICBC 5.65
Kiwibank Special 5.69
Kainga Ora 5.69
Co-operative Bank - First Home Special 5.89
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.99
TSB Special 5.99
SBS FirstHome Combo 3.29
AIA - Back My Build 3.34
SBS Construction lending for FHB 3.74
CFML 321 Loans 4.20
Co-operative Bank - Standard 5.34
Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ 5.34
ICBC 5.39
Kiwibank Special 5.75
Kainga Ora 5.79
TSB Special 5.79
Unity Special 5.79

More Stories

Can the NZ economy grow while house prices stagnate?

Thursday, July 09th 2026

Can the NZ economy grow while house prices stagnate?

The question of whether the New Zealand economy can grow much without a recovery in the housing market remains a live issue.

Thursday, February 19th 2026

RBNZ expects slower house price growth in the current recovery

The Reserve Bank thinks house prices will rise at a much slower pace during the current recovery than they have in past cycles.

Wednesday, January 07th 2026

Queenstown not off the radar for first home buyers

First home buyers are not being deterred by Queenstown’s soaring house prices.

Record levels of first home buyers taking out low deposit loans

Tuesday, December 23rd 2025

Record levels of first home buyers taking out low deposit loans

About half of all first home buyer lending has been done at a less than 20% deposit in recent months.