Women continue to be under-represented in property ownership across New Zealand, particularly among younger generations, despite placing a high value on owning a home, according to data released by Cotality.
Cotality's sixth annual Women and Property Report found a stark gender gap in ownership rates. More than half (53%) of Gen Z males and two-thirds (66%) of Millennial males own the home they live in, well above the female figures of 33% and 47%, respectively.
The ownership gender disparity trend is consistent with investment property figures. One-in-five (20%) of male Gen Z are owners and 15% of Millennial males, again comfortably above the female figures of 13% and 9% respectively (See Chart 1).
Chart 1. New Zealand Property Ownership and Investment by Gender
Women place higher importance on property ownership, but face structural barriers
Highlights from Cotality’s Women in Property Report revealed that 62% of New Zealand females rate property ownership as very important, compared with 54% of males.
Financial and non-financial barriers continue to limit women’s ability to enter the market.
Income disparity remains a significant hurdle, with 25% of males reported earning at least $100,000, compared with just 12%. This gap directly impacts women’s ability to save deposits, service lending requirements and compete in a competitive housing market.
Furthermore, 16% of NZ females said they haven’t bought a property yet because they ‘don’t know where or how to start’ - significantly higher than for NZ males (6%).
Cotality NZ’s Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, says the figures point to systemic barriers rather than a lack of aspiration or interest among women.
“Women clearly want to own property — in fact, more women than men rate property ownership as highly important,” said Davidson.
“The challenge isn’t motivation, it’s knowledge, equity and support.”
“The system often assumes a level of confidence, capital and experience that many women simply haven’t had equal opportunity to build.”
“Closing the gender pay gap would be a great start. These results also highlight the need for clearer pathways, better education and more targeted support for women navigating the property market for the first time,” said Davidson.
Sustainability gains momentum, with clear gender differences
Sustainability is becoming a mainstream consideration for New Zealand homeowners, with nearly two in three property owners (62%) reporting they have already made changes to improve the energy efficiency or sustainability of their homes.
Of those who have made changes, a touch more than half have made minor or low-cost updates such as LED lighting or draft-proofing, while a bit less than half have made significant upgrades like solar panels/batteries, double glazing, or insulation.
Importantly, the findings also highlight a clear gender dimension to sustainable housing.
Women are more likely to prioritise stability, security and long‑term liveability in property decisions, with nearly half of female property owners (49%) citing stable living arrangements as a key driver for buying a home, compared with 43% of men.
However, cost remains a significant barrier to going further: around one in eight homeowners (12%) report they have not made additional upgrades because they cannot afford the upfront costs, while a further 12% say they plan to act in the next 12–24 months - underscoring the need for policies and solutions that make energy‑efficient housing more accessible and equitable.
Chart 2. Sustainability improvements to property by age bracket
Cotality’s Chief Commercial Officer, Lisa Jennings, added that property ownership underpins financial security, wellbeing and long-term opportunity.
“Early entry to the property market gives more time for wealth to accumulate and a gateway to more options later, as well as the tenure benefits from owning a property. This is a concern for younger females, who don’t own property as frequently as males.”
“Building a deep understanding and specific gender knowledge of tomorrow’s property buyer is critical in addressing these disparities between males and females. It’s about strengthening communities and the resilience of New Zealand’s property market,” concluded Jennings.
