Property Council New Zealand has released its FY2026 Annual Impact Report, capturing a year of sustained advocacy wins, growing membership and a significant milestone as the organisation marked 50 years of city shaping.
FY2026 was shaped by economic pressure and one of the most significant waves of policy reform in decades. Feasibility pressures, elevated construction costs and market uncertainty stayed front of mind for members, while government advanced sweeping change across planning, infrastructure funding and building regulation.
Property Council stayed close to the detail throughout, delivering 40 submissions to central and local government and holding 328 stakeholder meetings across the year.
Advocacy that delivered results
The year brought real movement on several long-standing priorities. Government announced sweeping reform to the earthquake-prone building system, replacing the New Building Standard percentage threshold with a risk-based approach focused on buildings that genuinely pose a risk to human life. On development levies, Property Council secured an independent regulator for the new levy scheme, a direct recommendation from the organisation, as part of a broader overhaul of a system it had long argued was inconsistent and unpredictable. Resource management reform also progressed, with the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill set to reduce more than 100 district and regional plans down to just 17.
“This has been a year of real pressure and real progress,” says Property Council chief executive Leonie Freeman. “Government reform on planning, development levies and seismic strengthening moved further than it has in years, and that did not happen by accident. It happened because our members showed up, again and again, to make the case for a property sector that can get on with building the homes, workplaces and infrastructure New Zealand needs.”
A milestone year
March 2026 marked 50 years of Property Council New Zealand, commemorated through the Built to Last campaign and a short film series documenting five decades of industry leadership.
Female representation on the National Board rose to 43 per cent, up from 29 per cent the previous year, and the organisation’s Inclusion Alliance, backed by 19 industry chief executives, partnered with Strategic Pay to launch a Gender Pay Gap research project involving 30 companies from across the property sector. Results are expected to be published in the coming months, with a targeted campaign to follow in FY2027.
Growing membership, steady value
Despite ongoing pressure across the sector, membership grew rather than held steady. Property Council ended the year with 612 financial member companies, a member retention rate of 87 per cent, and 102 new member organisations, exceeding the new member revenue target by 72 per cent. Net Promoter Score continued its upward trend, reaching 29, up from 27 the previous year.
For the first time in five years, the National Board confirmed a zero increase to membership fees for the year ahead, a decision made possible by careful financial stewardship and the strength of Property Council’s reserves.
“Reaching 50 years is about far more than longevity,” says Freeman. “It reflects five decades of industry leadership, collaboration and advocacy for a sector that plays a vital role in shaping the places where New Zealanders live, work and play. As we look ahead, the environment will keep shifting, but Property Council is ready for it.”