Wellington Property with Adam Cockburn

15/06/2026

Could New Zealand be becoming a surprisingly attractive destination for Australian property investors?
In the latest episode of The Lowe Down, Craig and I unpack the growing discussion around New Zealand’s property tax settings following major tax changes for investors across the Tasman.
We explore how New Zealand compares when it comes to capital gains tax, stamp duty, negative gearing, and other investor incentives, and why some Australians are starting to see value in our market.
We also get into the bigger questions: Do taxes on property investors actually help improve housing affordability? Are investors treated more favourably than other asset classes? And what unintended consequences can tax policy have on housing supply and market activity?
A great chat about the economics, politics, and policies shaping property markets in both New Zealand and Australia.
Have a listen and let me know your thoughts!

Could New Zealand actually be turning into a tax haven, at least in...

08/06/2026

Wellington is facing another round of public sector job cuts, but what does that actually mean for our property market?
In the latest episode of The Lowe Down, Craig and I discuss the proposed reduction of around 8,700 public sector roles nationwide and what the potential impact could be on Wellington's housing market, buyer confidence, local businesses, and the wider economy. We also explore the bigger picture — whether Wellington has become too reliant on government employment, how technology and AI are changing the workforce, and why periods of disruption can sometimes create new opportunities.
While there are certainly challenges ahead, we discuss some of the positive signs we're already seeing, including improved affordability, infrastructure investment, and increased first-home buyer activity.
Have a listen and let me know what you think!

Wellington is facing another wave of uncertainty, but how much impa...

27/05/2026

What are the best places to buy in Wellington right now… and are buyers asking the wrong question entirely? In the latest episode of The Lowe Down, Craig and I unpack one of the questions we get asked most often: which Wellington suburbs and property types are the best buys in today’s market?

Rather than trying to “pick winners” suburb by suburb, we discuss why Wellington as a whole may currently represent strong value compared to the rest of New Zealand, and why focusing too heavily on predicting outperforming areas can sometimes distract buyers from what actually matters.

We talk through the difference between buying a home versus buying an investment, where we’re seeing mispriced opportunities emerge, why investors are largely sitting on the sidelines, and how today’s slower market is rewarding buyers willing to do a little work. We also get into townhouses, apartments, first-home buyer hotspots, high-end homes, and why some ugly duckling properties can quietly become the best long-term plays.

A practical and honest discussion for first-home buyers, investors, and anyone wondering where the real opportunities are in Wellington property right now.

What are the best places to buy in Wellington right now and are people asking the wrong question entirely?In this next episode of The Lowe Down, Craig Lowe a...

25/05/2026

Wellington Market Enjoys Relative Stability... For many years, since we came off peak prices in late 2021, the headlines have fairly universally read along the lines of "Wellington market falls". But the big falls we saw in the market are now WAY behind us... they were largely done by the end of winter 2022, within a year of the peak prices, and entirely done within 18 months. Since then, values have been stable overall. Yes, there have been minor moves up and down, but these moves have been exactly that... MINOR. The big trend has been a market going sideways in terms of values. More recently, we have also seen new listing and sales volumes at exactly long-term normal levels for this time of the year. So, I would say the market is now STABLE, not falling. Prices remain low compared to the insane highs we saw post-Covid, but they are not moving in any significant way. Similarly, new listings, number of sales, and even total number of available listings, these are all stable overall. Hopefully this stability gives both buyers and sellers the confidence that the wild swings we have seen since late 2021 are now done, and fingers crossed we enjoy a period of sustained stability, before the next major move in the market, which I believe will be upwards. Don't get too excited though... I suspect it could potentially be a few years before such a move takes place!

Wellington Market Enjoys Relative Stability... For many years, since we came off peak prices in late 2021, the headlines have fairly universally read along t...

20/05/2026

Wellington’s property market feels rough right now, but is the reality actually as bad as people think? In the latest episode of The Lowe Down, Craig and I unpack the growing disconnect between market sentiment and what the data is actually showing. With headlines focused on falling prices, sluggish sales, rising stock levels, and economic uncertainty, we explore why confidence in Wellington feels so low and whether some of that negativity is becoming self-fulfilling. The conversation dives into the impact of inflation fears, interest rates, the Middle East conflict, government job cuts, migration, student numbers, and Wellington’s reputation problem, while also questioning whether the market is quietly becoming more rational and opportunity-driven for buyers. We also reflect on how today’s market compares to the “crazy” Covid-era boom, why vendors are finally adjusting expectations, and how long-term cycles, human psychology, and sentiment ultimately shape property markets more than most people realise. A fun discussion about whether Wellington is truly broken — or simply going through a difficult reset.

Wellington’s property market feels rough right now, but is the reality actually as bad as people think?In the latest episode of The Lowe Down, Craig Lowe and...

13/05/2026

Just sold by Adam Cockburn in Miramar
👉 https://www.loweandco.nz/properties/8-crawford-green-miramar

08/05/2026

Just sold by Adam Cockburn & Craig Lowe in Mount Cook
👉 https://www.loweandco.nz/properties/72-76-tasman-street-mount-cook

08/05/2026

Just sold by Adam Cockburn & Craig Lowe in Mount Cook
👉 https://www.loweandco.nz/properties/72-76-tasman-street-mount-cook

30/04/2026

Are we at the bottom of the property market and does it even matter? In this episode of The Lowe Down, Craig and I tackle one of the most common questions in real estate: should you wait for the bottom before buying? We explain why the answer is more complicated than it sounds and why trying to perfectly time the market is almost impossible. With the Wellington market currently “bumping along the bottom,” we unpack the role of fear, sentiment, and uncertainty, and why the bottom never actually feels like the bottom when you’re in it. The conversation dives into how buyers should really be thinking about decisions, focusing on value, affordability, and long-term fundamentals, rather than chasing perfect timing. We also break down the key indicators to watch, from sales volumes and inventory levels to days on market and what those signals actually tell us about where the market is heading. A must-listen for buyers, investors, and anyone sitting on the sidelines waiting for the “perfect moment” that may never come.

4 likes, 2 comments. "The Housing 'Bottom' Is A Trap"