An imbalance between housing supply and demand has existed across New Zealand for many years, especially for affordable housing in the heated Auckland market. While New Zealand was recently recognised by Demographia as a global leader for restoring housing affordability, plans to remove the Auckland urban growth boundary and free up density controls are not enough by themselves. The government is also looking at more innovative solutions through their Kiwibuild plan, including the widespread use of prefabricated homes.

The New Zealand property market is at a turning point, with limited short-term growth failing to change long-term forecasts. Despite a short-term bounce in both prices and sales figures during February, the market remains at the early stages of an expected slowdown in property values. While low levels of construction activity and high migration numbers will put pressure on housing for some time to come, some commentators are suggesting the emergence of a buyers' market.

While spring inspires cleaning and summer is made for the great outdoors, autumn is the ideal time to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. Decorating your home using certain colours, styles and furnishings can warm your spirits and make a real difference to your mood in the lead-up to winter. From cool colours and earthy materials through to lighting fixtures and soft furnishings, let's take a look at some of the best ways to prepare your home interior for winter.

We all know that peace and quiet is good for your soul, but according to two new studies, it can also be good for your heart. Whether it's the roar of a jet engine, the rumble of a highway, or the screaming siren of an emergency vehicle, it turns out that loud noises can have a noticeable effect on your cardiovascular health. While research has not proved that loud noises cause heart disease, noise pollution may increase the risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and heart failure among other conditions.

Dogs are the second most popular type of pet in the world behind cats, with at least 525 million dogs currently living on planet Earth. People love dogs for many reasons, with our furry friends known to make us healthier, happier and more empathic. While all dogs have the potential to be your best friend, some breeds stand out from the pack when it comes to working intelligence. Let's take a look at five of the smartest dog breeds in the world and see which one is perfect for you.