New Zealand Housing & Accommodation

Most New Zealand families live in detached homes set on their own plot of land, known as ‘section’. Each section is quarter of an acre. Most New Zealand properties are single-storey bungalows, although two-storey houses are becoming more popular. A ‘villa’ in New Zealand, are modest homes made of wood with a corrugated iron roof. The suburbs of most main cities have large town houses from the Victorian era, and in recent years smaller town houses have been built. Apartment living has become fashionable especially in areas of Auckland and Wellington. New Zealand boasts of a new unique type of housing called a ‘unit’, which is a single building containing a number of smaller properties, each having its own plot and therefore being part house, part apartment.

Construction methods in New Zealand homes are similar to those used in Australia and many parts of USA. Bricks and stone are less common, except in more expensive properties, although cheaper properties may have a single walk with brick or stone. As hard wood has become more expensive and unenvironmentally unfriendly, construction of new properties is usually a timber frame filled by plywood planes. Materials that are used in making a home are adequate for their climate. An advantage is that there is significant cost saving over brick and stone properties, and repair and maintenance charges are much lower.

The design and the layout of New Zealand properties are standard throughout the country, with a hall, kitchen, living area, dining area, bathroom and three bedrooms. The homes in New Zealand are quite spacious and much roomier than properties in Europe. Most homes except for the oldest, unrenovated properties are well equipped and fitted. Fitted kitchens with cupboards and built-in appliances are standard and many newer properties have utility or laundry room. Bathrooms have fitted furniture, and some homes have walk-in wardrobes.

There are several available styles of living in the private market:

Place in flat- is a room in a house, flat or apartment which is occupied by a number of others, usually students.

Private Board- Living in a private home with a family or just one person. Fully furnished room, all food provided and main meals cooked.

Furnished Room- Provides with furnished room and use of kitchen and other household facilities.

Bed-Sit- is generally one room with its own cooking and bathroom facilities, similar to “studio” but often attached to a private home rather than in a apartment block.

Franklin District Council has a history of providing affordable housing to pensioners, although there are certain criteria are needed to be eligible for this plan. The benefit to the tenants of this housing is that they enjoy the security of a stable home to live in at an affordable rental.