There's been a big increase in the number of properties sold last month, with record prices in seven regions.
Bay of Plenty had strong gains. Photo: 123RF
The Real Estate Institute's (REINZ) house price index rose 0.3 percent in November over the month earlier to a record level, and up 2.2 percent on the year before.
The volume of sales rose 17.8 percent, with a 13.9 percent gain in Auckland over the month earlier.
REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell said it was the largest October to November gain in six years.
The median price rose by $10,000, or 1.9 percent to $540,000 over October, while Auckland's price rose 3.8 percent to $880,000.
Seven regions fetched record prices, with strong gains in the Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui and Wellington.
The number of days to sell rose by one day, while the number of properties sold by auction fell 31.3 percent on the year earlier.
"After a difficult winter and a slow start to spring, the real estate industry has experienced a lift in optimism and activity, with increases in the properties sold in 15 out of 16 regions across the country when compared to the previous month," Ms Norwell said.