Feature article
Bay of Plenty property market update: Coastal confidence in 2026
Why the Bay of Plenty is booming

AI summary
The Bay of Plenty property market is thriving, briefly overtaking Auckland as NZ's most expensive region due to a luxury sales surge. The average asking price is $1.01M, a 6.9% year-on-year increase.
For buyers, Whakatāne offers more choice with listings up 29%. Sellers should highlight features like "Pool" and "Income" in titles to attract buyers. The rental market is also strong, with the average weekly rent at $676, indicating solid demand and returns for landlords.
| Metric | Bay of Plenty (Jan 2026) | MoM% Change | YoY% Change | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Asking Price | Average Asking Price | $1.01M | $1.01M | -0.9% MoM | -0.9% MoM | +6.9% YoY | +6.9% YoY |
| Average Weekly Rent | Average Weekly Rent | $676 | $676 | +2.1% MoM | +2.1% MoM | -0.5% YoY | -0.5% YoY |
For buyers: More choice in the eastern Bay
The Bay of Plenty is a diverse region, with heaps to offer its residents.
For sellers: What are people looking for in the Bay?
For homeowners: Tracking your equity
The rental market: Insights for tenants & landlords
Could you see yourself in the Bay of Plenty?
The dream list: Bay of Plenty standouts
Why live in the Bay of Plenty?
Author
Discover More

‘God’s work’: From earthquake-damaged church to social housing, and the 1880s villa given new life
The Here Awards honour an 1880s villa renovation and a Christchurch church transformed into social housing.

Historic Tūrangi home built for Italian tunnelling director hits the market
A 1960s Tūrangi home linked to the Tongariro Power Scheme is on the market for $765,000.






