A soggy January ☔ and what it’s revealing about the market
January is when things start moving again.
Not quickly. Not noisily. Just steadily.
Buyers return, listings begin to surface, and conversations that paused over summer resume with more intent. It’s a useful time to pay attention because early patterns tend to stick.
This newsletter focuses on what’s actually happening in the market — where activity is picking up, where it isn’t, and what that means if you’re planning a move this year or simply keeping watch.
📊 What elections really do to the Christchurch property market
With the 2026 general election now set for Saturday 7 November, we looked back at REINZ Christchurch data from 1996 to today to see what actually changes in election years.
The short version: house prices don’t reliably fall in election years. Sales activity can pause slightly during campaigns — particularly in competitive elections — but typically lifts again once the result is known and certainty returns.
What matters more than the election itself are policy signals that affect costs, taxes, or rules. Proposals like capital gains tax changes, investor rules, or first home buyer support can influence behaviour well before election day.
One local wrinkle for 2026: the weekend after the election is Show weekend, creating a very compressed window for sellers hoping to launch and sell before Christmas.
For buyers, that hesitation can create opportunity. For sellers, planning ahead matters more than waiting for the vote.
🔍 Market snapshot – December 2025
📍 Christchurch City
🏷 Median price: $726K (↑ 5.7% YoY)
📈 Search activity: 5.52M (↑ 61% YoY)
🆕 New listings: 327 (↓ 16% YoY)
⏱ Days on market: 38 (↓ from 43 YoY)
📍 Selwyn District
🏷 Median price: $785K (↓ 1.8% YoY)
📈 Search activity: 473K (↑ 21% YoY)
🆕 New listings: 194 (↑ 42% YoY)
⏱ Days on market: 57 (↑ from 50 YoY)
📍 Waimakariri District
🏷 Median price: $735K (↑ 0.5% YoY)
📈 Search activity: 577K (↑ 49% YoY)
🆕 New listings: 102 (↓ 25% YoY)
⏱ Days on market: 50 (↓ from 57 YoY)
💭 Takeaway: Buyer interest is clearly back — search activity is surging across all three districts. Christchurch City is tightening, with fewer listings and faster selling times. Selwyn is absorbing a wave of new supply, which explains softer prices and longer selling periods. Waimakariri looks quietly balanced: demand up, stock down, and days on market improving.
📊 Case Study: Coastal Living, Strong Competition
This New Brighton cottage proves you don’t need a full renovation or beachfront position to get an outstanding result.
The home offered native timber floors, a separate studio, and a private 506sqm section — all within an easy walk of the beach. Well presented, lifestyle-focused, and priced to attract real buyers.
The campaign results:
- 60 inspections
- 44 enquiries
- 6 registered bidders
Interest came from first-home buyers, downsizers, and buyers actively chasing coastal living.
On auction day, that demand turned into genuine competition. The property sold under the hammer for more than $100,000 over RV.
The takeaway is clear: tidy, well-located homes near the coast are in demand — particularly entry-level properties in Christchurch’s coastal suburbs.
If you’re thinking about selling in New Brighton, Southshore or nearby, get in touch. No pressure — just straight-up advice and a clear view of what your property could be worth in today’s market.
🎭 Huge thank you: Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes — An Unauthorised Comedy
A huge thank you to everyone who came along to the dress rehearsal of The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes! and subsequent shows.
It was great to see so many of you out enjoying the gardens, the comedy, and a proper evening picnic (even if the weather insisted on adding a bit of dramatic tension).
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came along, laughed loudly, and helped make the run such a memorable one. Your support turned this into something genuinely special.
If you missed out — or you’re already nostalgic for Dan’s Gollum — never fear. The team are always plotting the next adventure, and there are more events on the horizon. We’d love to see you at the next one.
As always, if you’re considering a move this year — or want to know where your home sits in the current market — we’re always happy to chat.
– Caleb & Jonathan
