Housing affordability deteriorates
The average annual weekly wage increase of $28.06 over the year was not enough to offset a $30,000 increase in the national median house price and an increase in the average mortgage interest rate from 5.52% to 5.85%, the report said.
Affordability is assessed by comparing the average weekly earnings with the median dwelling price and interest rate.
In some regions, affordability improved over the year. Manawatu/Wanganui's affordability increased 2.7%, Taranaki's was up 1.2% and Northland's 0.2%.
But Auckland's affordability worsened by 14.4% and Canterbury deteriorated 11.7% over the year to August. Southland was close behind with a 9.4% deterioration.
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