First home buyers in Auckland have been quick to snap up a limited release of so-called “affordable” homes at Hobsonville Point....

The average house sale price in Auckland hit $580,000 this week and new housing statistics have identified increasing numbers of suburbs that are depressingly out of reach for first-time buyers....

Homes are at their most affordable in six years – apart from in Auckland, where the average weekly mortgage is now more than $570 a week....