According to data from realestate.co.nz, New Zealand’s average weekly rental price fell 3.0% from $648 a week in August 2024 to $628 a week in August 2025.
However, Southland’s average weekly rent hit an all-time high of $509 a week in August this year, up 9.2% from $466 a week this time last year.
Southland property managers have indicated that an increase in rates and insurance has pushed up the rental prices.
Rent South struggled to attract tenants for three bedroom properties that were rented at $530 to $550 per week.
Rent South Invercargill property manager Leeann Tautari said it had needed to have some "difficult" conversations with its landlords.
Realestate.co.nz chief executive Sarah Wood said the data showed how localised the rental market could be.
"While the national trend suggests a softening in rental prices, Southland and the West Coast are clear reminders that the market doesn’t move in unison.
"Local supply and demand pressures are driving different outcomes across the regions," she said.
