For anyone who might have missed the fanfare over the weekend, there was a general election, and the results were tight.
Preliminary results indicate a continuation of the current coalition Government, with both New Zealand First and ACT picking up a few additional seats. However, it is still too early to call the final result. Approximately 400,000 special votes are yet to be counted, and several electorates with particularly close races could still change hands. One result we will be watching closely is Hutt South, where Housing and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is in a tight race.
Official results are expected on 27 November. From there, coalition negotiations will take place before New Zealand can definitively know who will form the next Government and what the parliamentary make-up will look like.
What does this mean for Property Council?
Our five advocacy priorities provide a consistent framework for this work: enabling thriving cities and infrastructure, transforming the planning system, adopting fairer regulation and tax settings, delivering housing that enhances communities, and navigating risk, resilience and sustainability. These priorities are informed by our members and the practical experience they bring from across the property ecosystem.
That does not mean our advocacy is static. We continually refine our positions as legislation changes, new challenges emerge and the economic environment evolves. But having a clear, established agenda means we can engage with incoming and returning politicians from a position of consistency, rather than starting the conversation from scratch every three years.
Just as importantly, we prefer to meet politicians in person. Our engagement is about more than circulating a policy document or seeking commitments during an election campaign. It is about building relationships, understanding where parties intend to focus their attention and explaining what those decisions mean for the people who develop, invest in, own and manage New Zealand’s built environment.
What's next?
Looking ahead, our immediate focus will be on ensuring the incoming Government understands the opportunities and challenges facing the property sector. Once the Government is formally established following the release of official election results on 27 November, we will be looking to meet with all relevant Members of Parliament and Ministers to introduce our priorities and outline the key issues impacting our sector.
The specific conversations will naturally depend on the final composition of Parliament and the portfolios allocated to incoming ministers. However, our overarching message will remain consistent: good policy for property is good policy for New Zealand. We want to see a regulatory and investment environment that gives businesses the confidence to invest, supports the delivery of much-needed housing and infrastructure, and enables our cities to thrive.
Property Council has spent 50 years bringing the industry together under one collective voice. We intend to keep doing so, working with whoever forms the next Government and ensuring our members’ perspectives remain firmly part of the conversation.
Because shaping better cities is not a three-year exercise. It is an ongoing commitment, and one that requires us to work across party lines, regardless of who is in power.
Author | Bella Leddy
As a Senior Advocacy Advisor, Bella leads the development of policy and advocacy initiatives that reflect the real-world experience of our members.
With a Bachelor of Laws and Politics from Otago University and previous experience as a policy intern at the Department of Internal Affairs, Bella brings both a sharp analytical mind and a genuine passion for public policy. She’s particularly energised by engaging with members to ensure our advocacy is grounded in industry insight and practical solutions.
Extroverted, thoughtful and service-focused, Bella thrives in roles that connect people and ideas. Outside the office, she channels her energy into teaching group fitness classes – including yoga, pilates and spin – and is always up for a good political yarn.
Election 2026: Keeping property at the table
Seismic reform continues: MBIE seeks feedback on proposed guidance
Opinion | Stop undercooking the brief: why New Zealand needs to invest more before it builds
What residential developers can learn from the future of retail
MEMBER ONLY: Build to Rent, Built to Last Webinar
