Canterbury
The Canterbury region is said to have it all: the vertiginous mountains down which to throw oneself on skis, the unending Canterbury Plains, the soothing Pacific Ocean, and of course, the city of Christchurch. Described as the most English city outside the UK, the cultural city boasts a multitude of parks and tree-lined avenues, havens of green in the bustling and vibrant atmosphere.
This lively city offers all one might expect from a cosmopolitan area, including huge architectural variety. The range of property on offer reflects all elements of taste, but of particular interest may be the luxury apartment developments that are springing up across the city, with the overseas investor in mind. Many come with rental guarantees, and with no capital gains tax or stamp duty, investment here is attractive. As the tourist influx to New Zealand looks set to rise for the foreseeable future, it can be safely assumed that demand for tourist accommodation can be relied upon.
Auckland
The northern part of the North Island has been partly fragmented into new islands as the ocean gradually reclaims the land that emerged from it so long ago. The Auckland region includes an array of enchanting sub-tropical islands, many that are used solely for holiday retreats. Auckland City itself sprawls across two harbours, spreading out over the two land masses both sides and guarded all around by luscious rainforests. The Polynesian and Maori heritage pervades all aspects of this city, creating a multicultural atmosphere with unique experiences for both the tourist and the resident.
Housing in Auckland tends to be more expensive than the national average, reflecting the desirable qualities of the location which are also reiterated through the consistently high rankings of the city in international lifestyle surveys. The forecasting of the city's population to double by 2050 confirms the future need for accommodation, and should guarantee the fluidity of the market in years to come. In investment terms this translates to one of New Zealand's most promising opportunities for growth.
Central Otago
The soaring mountain peaks and the deep, cavernous gorges of the Otago region, forever immortalised in the visually indulgent Lord of the Rings trilogy, constitute the backdrop for another of the country's fastest growing regions. Once the scene of a mighty gold rush, the valleys of the region are now covered with Pinot Noir vines as the New Zealand 'wine rush' takes root, with visitors coming from all over the world to visit the wineries.
Queenstown is heralded as the adventure capital of New Zealand, with everything from snowmobiling, to luge-riding, to off-roading. The region's strong economic base, due to a year round industry, fuels consistent demand for accommodation and creates a lucrative real estate market equating to reasonable investment potential.
New Zealand's oldest city, Dunedin, meanwhile is competitively priced, reflecting the quality of housing available. The architecture, culture and history of the city, with its proximity to the powerful landscapes nearby, make Dunedin a highly desirable second home location.
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