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Shares vs. Housing: Which Path Could Yield Greater Long-Term Wealth?

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/1 .. h-path-could-yield-greater-long-term-wealth.html
  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 11:51 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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Shares vs. Housing: Which Path Could Yield Greater Long‑Term Wealth?
(A synthesis of the NZ Herald article “Could shares now outperform housing for long‑term wealth?” and its linked context.)

1. The Big Question

In a recent piece published by the New Zealand Herald, investors and savers alike are urged to reconsider the classic “home‑first, shares later” mindset. Drawing on the latest data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ), the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), and local property studies, the article poses a provocative hypothesis: shares may now outperform housing over the long haul—a reversal of the narrative that has dominated New Zealand’s personal‑finance advice for decades.

2. What the Numbers Say

2.1 Historical Context

• Shares: Over the past 20 years, the NZ S&P/ASX 200 index has delivered an average annual return of roughly 9 % when dividends are reinvested.
• Housing: The same period saw average home‑price growth of about 5–6 % per annum, after adjusting for inflation.

These figures illustrate that, historically, equity markets have delivered higher nominal returns, but the difference is not vast. The article notes that volatility has been the main differentiator: share prices swing by 30–40 % in a single year, whereas residential property tends to fluctuate by 10–15 %.

2.2 Recent Shifts

• Share‑market rally: In 2021–2023, the NZ S&P/ASX 200 posted a 45 % cumulative gain, driven by a surge in tech and resource stocks.
• Housing plateau: Meanwhile, New Zealand’s residential market has begun to show signs of cooling. The RBNZ’s latest housing‑price index indicates a 3–4 % slowdown in growth, a sharp contrast to the 10 %+ gains seen in the early 2010s.

The article highlights that these diverging trends suggest a potential realignment: for investors with a medium‑to‑long‑term horizon, the upside from shares could now outweigh the steady, albeit modest, returns from property.

3. Why the Shift?

3.1 Rising Interest Rates

The Reserve Bank’s recent policy moves to curb inflation have pushed mortgage rates upward, dampening demand for new homes. Higher borrowing costs compress house‑price appreciation and increase the cost of maintaining property portfolios.

3.2 Demographic and Supply Constraints

• Urbanisation: Continued migration into major cities has saturated the supply of affordable homes in the North Island, limiting price growth.
• Construction limits: New‑build permits have plateaued, especially in Auckland, squeezing supply‑side growth.

3.3 Global Market Momentum

International equity markets, especially those in the United States and Australia, have outpaced the local housing market. New Zealand investors have increasingly turned to overseas ETFs and mutual funds to tap into these gains, creating a feedback loop that fuels further share‑market inflows.

4. Risks and Caveats

The article is careful to point out that higher returns come with higher risk. Several scenarios could derail the expected outperformance:

The article underscores that personal circumstances—age, income stability, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs—must dictate the allocation between shares and property.

5. How to Re‑balance Your Portfolio

5.1 Re‑evaluate Asset Allocation

• Age‑based rule: A simple guideline is to hold shares equal to your age (e.g., a 40‑year‑old holds 40 % in equities, 60 % in bonds or cash).
• Income stability: Those with stable, high incomes can afford a higher equity tilt.

5.2 Use Index Funds and ETFs

The article recommends low‑cost index funds that track the S&P/ASX 200 or similar global equity indexes. These provide instant diversification and avoid the pitfalls of picking individual stocks.

5.3 Monitor Mortgage Terms

If you own property, look for opportunities to refinance at lower rates or switch from variable to fixed‑rate mortgages to reduce exposure to rate hikes.

5.4 Periodic Re‑balancing

The NZ Herald suggests reviewing your portfolio at least annually, re‑balancing toward the target allocation, and reinvesting any dividends or rental income into equities or additional property as suited.

6. Takeaway

The article concludes that while shares have historically outperformed housing, recent market dynamics may accelerate this divergence. For investors looking to build long‑term wealth, a more balanced, slightly equity‑heavy approach could deliver superior returns without excessive risk—provided they remain mindful of the broader economic environment.

It is not a blanket endorsement of ditching real estate altogether, but rather a call to reassess one’s investment mix in light of current evidence. The key is informed, deliberate decision‑making that aligns with personal goals and risk tolerance, rather than chasing outdated wisdom.

7. Further Reading

The NZ Herald article references several valuable sources for readers who wish to dive deeper:

• Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Housing‑Price Index and Monetary Policy Statements
• Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) – Historical market performance data
• National Institute of Economic and Social Research – Studies on equity versus property returns
• Generate Wealth Weekly – The newsletter that synthesised this comparison, providing weekly insights on investment trends

By exploring these resources, readers can refine their strategy and stay ahead in an ever‑shifting financial landscape.