The annual Demographia housing survey has confirmed what Christchurch and Auckland residents already knew - that housing has become increasingly unaffordable, a University of Canterbury (UC) economics lecturer said today.

The Canterbury DHB is calling on landlords to ensure their quake damaged rental properties are up to scratch and are not putting people’s health at risk.

The number of new houses consented nationally rose again in November 2012, continuing the trend of the last 20 months, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Ongoing strong demand drove robust sales volume growth in the residential property market during November with the number of sales up 24.1 per cent on November 2011. The national median house price is at a new record of $383,250.

Home loan borrowers can expect low interest rates for a while yet, if economists polled by www.mortgagerates.co.nz are correct in their predictions.

And that is likely to keep the heat in the New Zealand housing market, in Auckland in particular.

Keen buyers across the country are driving strong growth in the volume of residential properties sold in October. Sales are 32.6 per cent up on October 2011 and the national median house price is at a new record of $380,000.

With the first whiff of summer teasing our limbs, some homeowners will be sprucing up their homes, ready to put them on the market.

Auckland’s buoyant housing market demonstrates that the region is an attractive place to live and work for both New Zealanders and migrants.

It would be a mistake for the Government to allow more development on Auckland's urban fringe in its attempt to address the growing housing affordability crisis, said Green Party housing spokesperson Holly Walker.

New Zealand First is calling on the Government to impose a short term rent freeze in Christchurch to combat an out of control rental market.