There is little evidence that new immigrants drive up local house prices, according to a new research report released by the Department of Labour.

A Mexican stand-off between house buyers and sellers continues, according to some interpretations of the latest real estate prices.

New Zealand residential property prices are back to where they were a year ago, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

The Real Estate Institute sales figures for May are out now. To read what's happening in your region and around the country, use the links in this story.

Continuing our series on software and technology aids for property investors, Diana Clement reviews QV Insider.

The latest Quotable Value statistics for May are out now and show a 2.4% growth in national property values over the past year, down on the 4.9% growth reported in April.

The latest house price statistics from QV show prices are down again, and the expectation is that declines are set to continue for some time yet.

The number of residential property sales in May was down by more than half on the same month last year.

After months of little movement in home loan rates there has recently been a flurry of conflicting movements, making it a difficult time for people wanting to refinance or take out a new loan.

Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said: “The global economy is currently experiencing significant increases in oil and food prices.

The huge popularity of the first edition of this book, and the feedback from readers that continues five years on, is testimony to the successful approach it’s taken – practical, honest, warts-and-all accounts from successful investors across a number of regions that show just what can be achieved and how to do it.

Every issue of the NZ Property Investor magazine will continue to bring you all the news, tips and statistics you need to keep your property investments humming in 2008.

Dunedin’s property market may be slowing – as it is New Zealand-wide – but the outlook in this southern city is not entirely gloomy. We look at the city’s potential for property investors and if it lives up to its slogan – “It’s all right here”

The new Unit Titles Bill has been introduced to Parliament in order to help apartment owners and bodies corporate to manage their property more effectively.

The Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) amendment bill recently introduced into Parliament will give greater protection to vulnerable tenants and help both landlords and tenants enforce their respective rights.

Economic events of the past week will be leaving mortgage borrowers feeling bemused. The Government announced a package of tax cuts in the Budget, but the result has been to push borrowing costs up again.