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Talking Property Development with John Kenel
Talking Property Development with John Kenel
Author: John Kenel
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Welcome to ”Talking Property Development with John Kenel” – the go-to podcast for anyone looking to dive deep into the world of property development, investment, and long-term wealth building. Hosted by seasoned property developer John Kenel, with over 20 years in property development and 27 years in property investment, this podcast offers expert insights and practical advice on navigating the New Zealand property market. From the fundamentals of investing in real estate to understanding market cycles and development strategies, John shares his extensive experience to help listeners build sustainable income through property. Whether you’re a first-time investor, a seasoned developer, or someone interested in how property can create financial freedom, Talking Property Development is packed with actionable tips and stories to guide your journey. Join us to learn how to grow your wealth slowly but surely, one property at a time.
32 Episodes
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I'll admit it - I've been carrying anger towards New Zealand for years. It started with the lockdowns, the mandates, the way families were separated and businesses crushed while costs kept ticking. That resentment started bleeding into everything.
But carrying anger like that is toxic. It wears you down and narrows your view. So I made a conscious choice to let it go.
Once I stepped back, I saw what I'd been missing - New Zealand is actually a fantastic place to live. The space, the nature, the simple day-to-day living that people in big cities can only dream of. Most Kiwis are good people just trying to get on with life.
This country is worth fighting for. I'd rather stay and do my bit than walk away angry.
Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt
Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth properly: https://wealth.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/
Learn how to become a profitable developer in New Zealand at https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
We've already seen this playbook in New Zealand. Vaccine passes turned your rights into permissions overnight... No jab, no job, no cafe, no life. That technology didn't disappear. It's still there, updating every six months, waiting for the next 'emergency.'
Now they're pushing digital ID as convenience. Faster logins, easier renewals, all your life in one app. But when everything's connected to one system the government controls, convenience becomes control.
In this video, I break down what's really coming... Digital ID linked to your money, your property, your movements. How central bank digital currencies will let them decide what you can buy and where you can spend. And why 'nothing to hide' isn't good enough when the rules keep changing.
Digital tools are useful. Digital obedience is deadly. Stay awake while you still can.
Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt
Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth properly: https://wealth.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/
Learn how to become a profitable developer in New Zealand at https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
I've been a hard asset guy for 30 years, property, productive businesses, real stuff you can't print. Over the last few years, I've been telling anyone who'd listen to look at gold and silver. Now everyone's paying attention.
Gold's up 70% this year, silver's up 150%. That's on top of strong gains last year. Something's definitely happening, but is it hype or something real?
In this video, I break down what's actually driving these moves, plus, the smart way to get exposure without going crazy or falling for tinfoil hat stories.
Stay calm, have a plan, and own real things. That's the game. Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth properly: https://wealth.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/ Learn how to become a profitable developer in New Zealand at https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
If you're waiting for house prices to crash or interest rates to fall further, you might have already missed the boat. While everyone was waiting for perfect conditions, something big quietly happened in New Zealand that most people didn't even notice.
I've been through three decades of property cycles, and it's always the same story. The best opportunities show up when things still feel uncomfortable.
In this video, I break down what actually shifted in 2025, what I'm seeing right now, and how I think things play out from here. Plus, a hard lesson I learned about putting all your eggs in one basket.
The smart money has quietly started moving.
Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth properly: https://wealth.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/
Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt
Learn how to become a profitable developer in New Zealand at https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
Free guide to wills, trusts & passing down your wealth properly: https://wealth.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/ Sign up to my FREE weekly newsletter to improve your finances: https://newsletter.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com/yt
Final Property Development Club podcast for 2025! Andrew Crosby joins me to wrap up the year and look ahead to what's coming.
We dive deep into the government's new development levies system - how it'll replace development contributions and what it means for developers. Plus, economist Cameron Bagrie's bombshell claim that we're actually overbuilding in New Zealand right now (34,000 consents vs 20,000 homes needed).
Andrew shares his LinkedIn poll results, we cover contractor availability, the two-tier market, and why some suburbs are up 10%+ while townhouses struggle.
Also: Goldman Sachs predicting gold at $5,000, rates caps for councils, and why everything might actually get fixed in 2026.
I've been investing in property since 1997 and developing since the early 2000s. I've seen every boom and bust. Here's my take on where house prices are heading in 2026.
I break down the three key drivers: interest rates, immigration, and confidence, plus what could derail things.
Learn the 17-step development process in 42 short videos with The Property Development Club: https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
People joke Gen Z will own nothing and be happy. They won’t be happy. If we keep tilting rules toward big corporate landlords, ownership concentrates and everyone else rents.
I’ve built more than 1,000 homes in NZ. Most were made possible by private investors backing real projects. That’s how we actually add supply.
In this video: why private landlords matter, what build-to-rent does and doesn’t solve, how student debt and low wages delay deposits, and what policies and practical steps would put Gen Z back on the ownership path.
Learn the 17-step development process in 42 short videos with The Property Development Club: https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
Queenstown’s on a different planet: $30m sales, talk of $100m builds, and a wave of $5m+ buyers.
Meanwhile in Auckland you can still find new townhouses around $599k.
First-home buyers are 27% of the market.
The NZD sits near 0.56 USD, 0.86 AUD, 0.45 CHF.
Consents are up, concrete pours are still down.
And Auckland’s MDRS flip has blindsided projects.
We cover Queenstown’s ultra-lux market, FHB momentum, investor sentiment, rents easing 3% to $628, Waikato vs Waipa prices, and whether apartments and leasehold stack up. Plus the council red tape that kills confidence.
Learn the 17-step development process in 42 short videos with The Property Development Club: https://thepropertydevelopmentclub.com
Education only, not financial advice. #johnkenel #assuredproperty
If Labour’s CGT lands, rental supply falls, rents rise, and redevelopment grinds to a halt, here’s what to do.
John Kenel’s take on Labour’s proposed Capital Gains Tax. No fluff. Practical consequences for landlords, developers and investors.
What I cover:
• Why Treasury modelling points to roughly a 5% immediate rent rise.
• How targeting property only will shrink rental supply and clog redevelopment.
• Small business and home-office carveouts that may be lost.
• Why local trades and councils lose out when capital leaves for offshore shares.
• Practical steps: re-run feasibilities, check ownership, consider timing and restructuring.
Learn more at thepropertydevelopmentclub.com.
Subscribe for developer-grade insights, not fluff.
#johnkenel #assuredproperty #capitalgainstax #propertydevelopment #nzproperty #housing #developers
Builders, investors, and council-watchers: Hon. Tama Potaka, associate Minister for Housing joins John Kenel to tackle housing bottlenecks, consents, infrastructure funding, council (in)efficiency, emergency housing, and the granny-flats policy. They also unpack GST sharing ideas, water entities, and why certainty matters for development.
Education only, not financial advice.
Is New Zealand really a safe haven for anxious millionaires—or just political window dressing? In this wide-ranging chat, John Kenel (21 years, 1,000+ homes built) and Darcy dig into:
• NZ’s “Active Investor Plus” $5m visa, why demand may be limited, and a fairness take on foreign-buyer levies
• Cost-of-living angle: using a levy to fund GST-off-food
• Immigration settings vs “tax the rich” politics, and Australia’s Division 296 super tax
• What “rich” even means now (and why $2–3m is just middle class housing)
• De-globalisation and tariffs, then AI as a deflation engine for small business
• Gold + Bitcoin as “sound money” and a hedge against money printing
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:18 NZ as a safe haven, $5m visa, foreign-buyer levy, GST on food
12:23 Immigration settings, Division 296, “what is rich?”
24:21 Tariffs & de-globalisation → AI deflation → Gold & Bitcoin
38:39 Where to find John + course
If you’re building, investing, or just trying to protect your savings, this one’s for you.
Follow John on TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram @johnkenel
Check out John’s Property Development Club course to learn step-by-step residential development.
Disclaimer: This conversation is for education only and is not financial advice.
In this mini podcast episode — just 5 minutes — I chat through what’s really going on in the market right now and why I reckon this could be the perfect time for property developers to get moving.
We’ll look at what’s shifting, what it means, and how smart developers can make the most of it. I’ll share a few strategies, a couple of things to watch out for, and hopefully give you a bit of clarity if you’re thinking about your next move. Whether you’ve done a few projects or you’re just starting to look into development, there’s something in here for you.
If you own a modest home, you're now in the firing line. This video exposes why the lefts “Tax the Rich” spin is setting Kiwis against each other while the ultra-wealthy keep buying up more assets.
For more Property, Economics and Political commentary Watch more of my videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKenel
💡 Want to get ahead financially? Check out my free ‘Build It Up’ series on YouTube — a no-fluff financial literacy series for Kiwis who want to build real wealth over time. 👉 Watch now: https://youtu.be/g4wvLtxV7wU?si=A0MiIfYMvczqjq82
#johnkenel #assuredproperty #propertyinvestment #developmentstrategy #nzhousing #wealthcreation #nzinvestors #taxtherich #wealthtaxes
If you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or just plain frustrated with where the property market’s heading — this episode will shake you awake.
In this action-packed episode of The Property Development Club Podcast, John and Andrew dive deep into:
Whether house prices are actually affordable or it’s all smoke and mirrors
Why youth unemployment is sitting at a shocking 18% in Auckland
The rise of robots like "Flippy" and what it means for young workers
The return of investors and where they're quietly buying
John Key's call to slash rates by 100 basis points — and why John agrees
Council rates, rising power prices, and why inflation is out of your control
Bitcoin vs Property: Would you sell your family home for crypto?
Why NZ must attract global wealth instead of pushing it away
What’s holding back construction — and what could get it moving again
It’s blunt, insightful, and full of sharp takes you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a first-home buyer, investor, or just watching from the sidelines — this episode is your cheat sheet for what’s really going on.
Watch the full podcast video on my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKenel
👉 Ready to learn property development from someone who’s built over 1,000 homes? Visit www.thepropertydevelopmentclub.com for access to John's 17-step course and start today.
Global politics aren’t just headlines—they’re shaping the cost of living, the price of oil, and even what your house is worth.
In this episode, I connect the dots between wars in Europe, US debt and politics, and why oil could hit $150 a barrel.
You’ll learn how these global forces flow through to New Zealand—driving building costs, inflation, rents, and ultimately the value of your property.
I’ll also share thoughts on gold, shares, and where opportunities might lie in an uncertain world.
This is not financial advice—everyone’s situation is different, so please speak to a professional financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
NZ Property 2025: Rising Costs, Stalled Growth…
But the Smart Move is Starting Now while headlines focus on falling prices and oversupply, because the real shift is already underway.
In this video, John Kenel and Andrew Crosby expose the truth about NZ property development in 2025 — rising infrastructure costs, council dysfunction, rental pressure, and why this could be the most important buying window we’ve seen in years.
This isn’t hype — it’s pattern recognition. And those who get ahead now will be positioned for the next wave.
🏗️ What You’ll Learn:
• Why development costs are rising even as build prices ease
• The 64% spike in fibre + power connection fees — and what it signals
• Why rental stock is stacking up (and what to do if you're an investor)
• Tourism, migration, and why NZ is still “undervalued” globally
• OCR forecast impact — and why the recovery may be closer than you think
• Why now is the time to landbank, renovate, or negotiate distressed stock
• The coming risks of vilifying landlords & the future of build-to-rent
🔥 For Developers, Builders & Investors Who Actually Want to Get Ahead This isn’t for spectators. If you’re serious about building wealth in this market — now’s the time to move while everyone else is sitting still.
👉 Subscribe for real talk on:
• NZ housing cycle shifts
• OCR & rate forecast breakdowns
• On-the-ground developer insights
• Property investment strategy that works in 2025
🔔 Tap Subscribe and turn on notifications — no fluff, no sales pitch, just sharp strategy.
🛠️ NZ property is shifting under the surface. Are you watching… or waiting?
#johnkenel #assuredproperty #NZProperty2025 #RealEstateNZ #PropertyInvestmentNZ #CouncilCosts #BuildToRent #Landbanking #OCRForecast #HousingMarketNZ #PropertyStrategy #InvestSmartNZ #InfrastructureCrisis #MarketCycleNZ
On this episode of The Building Pulse Podcast, host Tim Haycock sits down with seasoned developer John Kenel to explore one of the biggest questions in the housing market today:
Is innovation still possible—or even necessary—to keep developments moving in New Zealand?
With over 1,000 homes built and 20+ years navigating the trenches of property development, John shares what’s changed, what’s broken, and why navigating red tape has become a developer’s biggest risk.
In Part 1, they cover:
How New Zealand’s consenting process has evolved—and not always for the better
The disconnect between local councils and central government
The cultural shift in how Kiwis see landlords and developers
Why innovation might not be optional anymore
Whether you’re in development, investing, or just trying to make sense of the housing crisis—this episode brings the perspective of someone who’s seen the full cycle, and still believes New Zealand can build its way forward.
👉 Stay tuned for Part 2—where John dives deeper into solutions, strategies, and what it’ll take to fix the system.
This week I cover everything from Trump’s tariff chaos to the Reserve Bank’s drip-feed rate cuts—and why both are killing confidence.
I break down what’s really happening in the NZ housing market, with the latest stats from REINZ, and share my take on the government's granny flat policy. Sounds good on paper… but is it another regulation trap?
Plus, I give a behind-the-scenes update on my Moore Street project, explain why I’ve stopped developing in Hamilton, and preview my live appearance on Radio New Zealand tomorrow at 9am.
If you care about housing, development, or just want the straight talk—this episode’s for you.
In this video, John Kenel breaks down the current state of the New Zealand property market and economy. With inflation still running hot and rents rising, he explains why staying invested in appreciating assets like real estate is more important than ever. Learn what’s changed since 2021, how affordability has quietly improved, and why “getting rich slowly” still works—if you know what to do.












