Property values across the Bay of Plenty are continuing to move in small, uneven increments, with Tauranga and Rotorua recording the strongest growth in the latest quarter.

QV’s latest House Price Index for the three months to the end of May 2026 shows Rotorua home values rising 1.6% to an average of $685,828, while Tauranga increased 1.5% to $1,052,470.

The modest gains reflect a market that remains stable overall but varies across different parts of the region.

Local QV registered valuer Damian Hall said this week that there were encouraging signs in Tauranga over autumn, particularly at the more affordable end of the market.

“Good quality stock is shifting quickly, and the first-home buyer market remains the most active,” Hall said.

“The more average stock is still taking longer to sell and, in some cases, retailing at a discount.”

Hall said while the overall market had steadied, performance differed between suburbs and buyer groups.

“Mount Maunganui, for example, is still tightly held and demanding good prices, while Pāpāmoa is very popular for younger families and semi-retired and retirees. Greerton and Gate Pā remain very active for entry-level buyers.”

He said ongoing residential development was also helping to support activity in key growth areas.

“Pāpāmoa and Tauriko have continued to move forward, with building consent numbers on the rise again, with Mount Maunganui followed closely behind.

“Vendors appear to be more willing to meet the market with what appears to be a more happy medium between buyers and sellers.”

Across the wider Bay of Plenty and eastern regions, results were more mixed, with several centres recording declines.

Ōpōtiki was the weakest performer, with values dropping 4.1% over the quarter. Whakatāne fell 1.3%, Kawerau declined 1.4%, and Gisborne dropped 1.3%.

Nationally, the housing market showed little overall movement, with average values rising just 0.3% over the same three-month period to $912,190.

QV spokesperson Simon Petersen said the data pointed to a housing market that was largely stable but increasingly uneven across the country.

“Residential property values continue to hold steady for the most part across Aotearoa,” Petersen said.

“There’s a steady supply of houses for sale and enough buyers to meet the market, but not nearly enough competition to drive prices upward in any major way.”

He said that variation was reflected in the Bay of Plenty, where some areas were getting renewed momentum while others continued to soften.

“There’s no rising tide lifting all boats. This is a patchwork market, with some centres slowly finding their feet again while others continue to tread water.”

While Tauranga and Rotorua posted modest gains, the broader regional picture suggests the Bay of Plenty housing market remains cautious heading into winter, with activity continuing to depend heavily on location, stock quality and buyer demand.