Property Market Report_
October 2025
Whakatāne District
What’s happening in the market?
The Whakatāne District property market continued to strengthen through October, with REINZ data showing rising confidence and renewed momentum across the area. The district recorded a median sale price of $720,000, up 11.5% year-on-year, alongside 34 completed sales, a notable lift on the 24 transactions recorded in October last year. While Whakatāne is traditionally a lower-volume market – meaning monthly medians can shift more dramatically – the underlying indicators point to genuine improvement in buyer activity and a more positive tone across the district.
Open-home attendance has continued to build, and new listings entering the market have been attracting the strongest early engagement. Auction rooms across the wider region also reported more registered bidders and improved clearance rates, reflecting the influence of increasing buyer confidence and easing financial conditions. Although price growth has remained measured, sentiment has clearly shifted upward, with buyers showing greater intent and vendors generally adopting realistic pricing expectations.
A major factor supporting this improvement is the broader economic environment. New Zealand is now firmly in a stimulus cycle, with the Reserve Bank reducing the Official Cash Rate and signalling further easing ahead. The US Federal Reserve is moving in the same direction, contributing to a global trend of falling interest rates. Inflation has eased back within target levels and mortgage affordability is expected to improve steadily as we move into 2026. These conditions – combined with relaxed lending criteria – are bringing more buyers into the market and providing a strong platform for increased activity.
Within this backdrop, Bower Real Estate has delivered exceptional results for clients across the Whakatāne District. Our strong outcomes in October reflect the power of a quality team supported by deep local knowledge and evidencebased decision-making. Bower continues to lead the
market with one of New Zealand’s most innovative and data-driven marketing platforms, ensuring every property we represent achieves maximum exposure to the right buyers. From precision-targeted digital campaigns to enriched listing experiences and improved buyer-engagement tools, our systems make it easier than ever for purchasers to discover, evaluate, and connect with the homes they are interested in. These advantages continue to translate directly into premium results for our vendors, even in markets where volumes remain modest.
As we look toward 2026, the Whakatāne District is well positioned for further uplift. If new listings do not increase meaningfully over the next one to two months, demand could begin to exceed available supply, creating competitive conditions in the early part of the new year. Easing interest rates, strong buyer enquiry, and the district’s appeal as a lifestyle and family-friendly location all combine to form a positive outlook.
For homeowners considering selling, this is a moment where preparation, presentation, and strategic marketing will play a decisive role. Wellpositioned properties are already attracting strong attention, and Bower Real Estate is seeing heightened engagement across all our channels. For buyers, the improving affordability and rising confidence suggest that early action may be prudent as competition builds.
Overall, Whakatāne is showing real signs of revitalisation, with October marking another step in a steady, confidence-led recovery. With strong economic tailwinds and increasing activity, the district is shaping up for a more active and optimistic 2026.
Hayden Duncan Co-Founder & CEO
About the Author
Hayden Duncan is a real estate veteran with over 20 years experience. His career has included being the CEO of New Zealand’s largest real estate group, head auctioneer for NZ’s largest full service real estate company.
After setting up a real estate company in Canada, he is now based in Tauranga and works within the market here assisting agents to deliver quality results throughout the Bay of Plenty as Co-Founder and CEO of Bower.
October 2025 Market Summary_
$722,500
Median Sale Price Bay of Plenty
Price
Total Number of Sales Bay of Plenty
Median Days to Sell Bay of Plenty