REDnews.
Welcome to REDnews, Westpac New Zealand's source for insights, opinions and helpful stories on topics such as property, business, personal finance and community initiatives.
![Reno A woman drilling a board](/assets/Rednews/Images/Reno__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Five low-budget renovations that deliver big value
These five renovation projects deliver outsized returns for your investment – especially if you’re prepared to do some of the work yourself.
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OPINION: All Not Doom In The Housing Market
Is the housing market really a gloom and doom story? Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson thinks not
![Kids in care An adult guides a young person in theor studies](/assets/Rednews/Images/Kids-in-care__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Improving access to banking for kids in care
Westpac has made it easier for kids in the care of Oranga Tamariki to open bank accounts and gain important access to the economy
![Otautahi Community Housing Trust Otautahi Community Housing Trust houses at sunset](/assets/Rednews/Images/OCHT__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Innovative housing development provides first home buyer pathway
Brand new affordable homes for first home buyers through innovative Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust development
![NZ Property aerial NZ Property aerial shot](/assets/Rednews/Images/nzproperty__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Small Glimmer Of Positivity For Housing Market
Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson saw a glimmer of hope in the Reserve Banks's May OCR statement
![Couple reviewing mortgage options A trendy young couple looking at a laptop](/assets/Rednews/Images/MortgageOptions__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Offset vs revolving home loans: what are they and what's the difference?
Offset and revolving credit loans - what are they and what’s the difference between them?
![Auckland skyline timelapse Timelapse of Auckland skyline and Sky Tower at night](/assets/Rednews/Images/aucklandskyline__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Big changes ahead for Auckland
As Auckland approaches 2 million inhabitants, Peter Thompson looks at the type of city that is emerging
![First Home Buyer A first home buyer smiles and holds up her house keys](/assets/Rednews/Images/FHB__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Pre-approved for a loan: what's next?
Congratulations on being preapproved for a home loan! We look at some of the next steps from choosing a lawyer to finding your house
![Auckland property View from a hill looking across an Auckland suburb to the CBD in the background](/assets/Rednews/Images/Auckland__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
OPINION: Auckland property market awakens from hibernation
The Auckland property market skyrocketed in March, awaking from a two-year hibernation, says Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson.
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5 great places to be a first-home buyer
Which areas are the best for first-home buyers in 2024? REDnews has analysed job markets, household incomes, relatively affordable homes, and lifestyle factors to come up with our list of…
![Auckland housing Photo of Auckland](/assets/Rednews/Images/Auckland-housing__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.jpg)
OPINION: Housing Market Primed For Prices To Continue Their Recovery
The Government’s unwinding of regulations around investment properties may well provide the housing market with a kickstart, says Barfoot and Thompson's Peter Thompson.
![Bride and Groom at a wedding A Bride and Groom at a wedding surrounded by their wedding party](/assets/Rednews/Images/BrideAndGroom__FillMaxWzM4MCwyNDdd.png)
Weddings: Where to spend, where to save
How can you plan a magical wedding with a down-to-earth budget? Here's our tips on where you should spend - and where you should save - on your big day