Housing affordability remains a challenge in many parts of New Zealand, but several small rural communities continue to offer median house prices below $300,000, according to a recent report from Cotality. This contrasts sharply with the national median house value of $834,199.

The report identifies eight areas where median property values remain under the $300,000 mark. These include three communities in Buller District on the northwest coast of the South Island: Ikamatua ($263,000), Granity ($287,091), and Ngakawau ($292,123). Two towns located in the central North Island’s Ruapehu District — Waiouru ($290,678) and Ohura ($294,950) — also feature on the list. The remaining locations are Clinton in Clutha, Otago ($281,151), Nightcaps in Southland ($294,025), and Harihari in Westland ($295,037).

Ikamatua, the cheapest among them, is a small village approximately 50 kilometers inland from Greymouth. Longtime resident Anne McInroe, who has lived there for 35 years after relocating from Wellington, praised the community’s close-knit atmosphere and peaceful lifestyle. She noted the lack of traffic and low crime rates as significant draws, and highlighted local events such as the annual Matariki market that attract visitors from across the region.

The village’s social life centers around its hotel, general store, and community hall, which regularly host events including card nights and karaoke. McInroe said the affordability of housing is attracting new residents, citing a couple who moved from Nelson nine months ago and were finally able to purchase their first home at age 56.

Corina Wilson, who has operated Ikamatua’s local store, On the Spot, for the past five years, spoke positively of the area’s laid-back, friendly culture. She emphasized that while the village is rural and quiet, it remains connected by State Highway 2, providing easy access to nearby Greymouth.

Real estate agent Nicola Flynn of Harcourts noted an uptick in buyer interest linked to new developments in the West Coast region. She attributed some of the recent demand in Ikamatua to the Snowy River Mine, which has drawn employees seeking local accommodation, diversifying the buyer pool beyond traditional farming families.

Kelvin Davidson, chief economist at Cotality, explained that these low median house prices tend to be found in small, rural locales with limited employment opportunities and relatively high land availability compared to demand. He also noted that while the number of areas with such low median values has diminished over time, these regions have seen growth within the affordable segment of the housing market.

Granity, another West Coast settlement, stands out as one of the most remote on the list, with fewer than 200 residents. Properties there remain competitively priced; currently, a three-bedroom hilltop cottage with sea views is listed for $249,000, illustrating the affordability that continues to characterize parts of rural New Zealand.