REDnews.
Welcome to REDnews, Westpac New Zealand's source for insights, opinions and helpful stories on topics such as property, business, personal finance and community initiatives.
![NZ map A map of New Zealand with a pin in it](/assets/Rednews/Images/NZ-map-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
5 great places to be a first-home buyer
Which areas are the best for first-home buyers in 2024? REDnews has analysed job markets, household incomes, relatively affordable homes, and lifestyle factors to come up with our list of…
![Auckland housing Photo of Auckland](/assets/Rednews/Images/Auckland-housing__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.jpg)
OPINION: Housing Market Primed For Prices To Continue Their Recovery
The Government’s unwinding of regulations around investment properties may well provide the housing market with a kickstart, says Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson.
![Bride and Groom at a wedding A Bride and Groom at a wedding surrounded by their wedding party](/assets/Rednews/Images/BrideAndGroom__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Weddings: Where to spend, where to save
How can you plan a magical wedding with a down-to-earth budget? Here's our tips on where you should spend - and where you should save - on your big day
![Untitled design 7 v3](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-7-v3__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Putting the past highs and lows of property values in perspective
Barfoot & Thompson's Peter Thompson says the real story of house prices between 2021 and 2023 was the resilience and stability of property value over the medium term.
![Nook Homes prebuilt](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-5__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Warmer, faster, easier – prebuilt just keeps getting better
The prebuilt industry has matured in recent years with greater customisation and more efficient buildings
![Auckland housing v2 Photo of Auckland housing.](/assets/Rednews/Images/Auckland-housing-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.jpg)
OPINION: Delving into the drivers causing rent and house price rises
Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson looks into the drivers of rent rises
![Abusive payments](/assets/Rednews/Images/Abusive-payments__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Stepping up efforts to stop abusive payments
Westpac has updated its banking terms and conditions to help protect customers from abusive language in payments.
![Christmas time in New Zealand](/assets/Rednews/Images/Christmas-time-in-New-Zealand__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Holiday scams and how to avoid them
Each year scams and fraud increase over the festive season. Stay safe by following these tips to help prevent them.
![Funeral](/assets/Rednews/Images/Untitled-design-1-v2__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
How much does a funeral cost?
How much a funeral costs depends on a number of factors. REDnews looks into what costs you may encounter following the passing of a loved one.
![Modest house](/assets/Rednews/Images/ModestHouse__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Rise of the under-$500,000 home
House sales under $500,000 are heading for their highest percentage of the market in five years
![Retired couple walking the dog Retired couple walking the dog](/assets/Rednews/Images/Retiredwalkingdog__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
5 brilliant places to retire in New Zealand: 2023 UPDATE
After crunching numbers and looking at lifestyle factors, we came up with five excellent locations.
![Auckland housing Photo of Auckland](/assets/Rednews/Images/Auckland-housing__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.jpg)
OPINION: History shows house price recovery likely to take time
House prices are recovering but how long will they take to reach the heights seen in 2021?