In the early 20th century the number of New Zealanders renting and owning their dwellings were reasonably evenly matched. Government initiatives to encourage a property-owning democracy – through cheap state mortgages and other subsidies – saw home-ownership rates skyrocket in the 1920s. They fell during the 1930s economic depression, then rose steadily, peaking at 73.8% in 1991. Since then home-ownership rates have declined. The reasons included increased housing costs, lower housing subsidies, and young people delaying settling down and having children. By the 21st century the ideal of a property-owning democracy was in retreat.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Census data 1916–2013
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