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The final days of the year are often framed around what comes next. New goals. New plans. New momentum. What is discussed far less is what gets left behind.

The period between Christmas and New Year has always existed outside the normal operating rhythm of the real estate industry. Offices are partially staffed. Campaigns are paused. Decision-making slows. On the surface, it feels like the market has stepped away.

The week of Christmas sits outside the usual operating rhythm of the real estate industry. Campaigns pause, inboxes quieten and decision-making slows. For many professionals, this is viewed as downtime. In reality, it is a period where judgement, rather than activity, becomes the differentiator.

New Zealand’s housing market is closing out 2025 in a stronger position than it started, with early signs of recovery emerging after a long and uneven downturn. According to LJ Hooker Head of Research, Mathew Tiller, improving confidence, lower interest rates and more active buyers have shifted the conversation from “how bad” to “how long” before momentum builds.

LJ Hooker Ponsonby franchise owner Steven Glucina has reaffirmed his commitment to the LJ Hooker brand with the renewal of his franchise agreement. He is also expanding his footprint across Auckland’s northern corridor with the acquisition of LJ Hooker Warkworth, Kaiwaka and Leigh.

A New Zealand property management firm has been fined for using a QR code instead of displaying a rent amount on a physical “for rent” sign, reigniting debate around how rigidly tenancy advertising laws should be enforced in a rapidly shifting rental market.

The Reserve Bank has trimmed the Official Cash Rate by 0.25 percentage points, reducing it to 2.25% in a move that confirms monetary policy has shifted firmly into support mode. LJ Hooker Head of Research Mathew Tiller said the Bank is responding to below-trend growth and easing inflation pressures.

The latest Global Flexible Workspace Report from The Instant Group confirms - flexible work is no longer a trend, it’s a core business strategy. Global demand for flexible workspace rose 24% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, while demand across Australia and New Zealand specifically jumped 38% in H1 2025 compared to H1 2024, outpacing global averages.

The Kiwi-built version of Noah’s ark has finally found its new owners. The striking timber-clad replica, perched high on Clifton Hill in Sumner, Christchurch, has sold after months of curiosity and national attention — and the buyers plan to make it their home.

One of Waiheke Island’s most storied properties has hit the open market for the first time in forty-five years, and it’s already capturing international attention. The estate at 40 Rothschild Terrace, a near-five-hectare coastal holding with access to two private islands in Ōakura Bay, is being tipped as one of the island’s headline sales of 2025.

Harcourts is taking the opportunity this International Men's Day to acknowledge the vital contributions of men and highlight the unique challenges they face. The annual observance on 19 November serves as an important moment to foster conversations around men's health, well-being, and their diverse roles within families, communities, and the workplace.

Pioneering real estate network, One Agency, celebrated a landmark year of growth and success at its annual Australasian Awards night, held recently at the prestigious Doltone House at Hyde Park in Sydney, Australia.    The event marked the network’s largest awards ceremony to date, with over 200 members and staff from across New Zealand and Australia gathering to recognise the outstanding achievements of the year.