New Zealand women remain under-represented in investment property ownership, with financial barriers rather than attitudes holding them back, CoreLogic’s latest Women & Property Report 2025 reveals.
The fifth edition of the report, released in the lead up to International Women’s Day, finds while female-only homeownership rates have inched closer to male-only ownership, women continue to lag in investment property, limiting their ability to build long-term wealth through real estate.
For the first time the survey also explored attitudes towards home ownership, barriers to property investment, and financial literacy levels across gender groups, while examining the impact of income levels and employment status on property investment trends.
Women Own Homes But Men Build Property Wealth
CoreLogic NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the findings highlight the strong presence of women in home ownership, while also underscoring an ongoing imbalance in property investment.
CoreLogic’s analysis shows that female-only owner-occupiers outnumber their male counterparts, making up 23.1% of sole ownership compared to 20.9% for men, with mixed-gender ownership accounting for 56.0%.
However, the gap widens when it comes to investment properties, where women trail men by 4.2 percentage points.
“Women are just as committed to property ownership as men, and their higher representation in owner-occupied housing is a significant achievement,” Mr Davidson said.
“But financial barriers continue to limit their ability to invest, which has long-term implications for wealth accumulation. Our data shows female-only investment property ownership sits at 21.9%, compared to 26.1% for men, a persistent gap that reinforces the need for financial strategies that support women's investment opportunities.”
Gender Pay Gap Directly Impacts Property Investment
CoreLogic Head of Research Eliza Owen said while it was encouraging to see more women purchasing an owner-occupier property than their male counterparts, the data showed they aren’t opting out of property investment; they are being locked out.
“The gender wage gap means women take longer to save for deposits, have lower borrowing capacity, and are more likely to prioritise housing security over investment risk,” she said.
“These factors compound over time, making it harder for women to build intergenerational wealth through property.”
The report highlights a clear financial divide between men and women with survey-based data showing 68% of women earn less than $70,000 per year, compared to 49% of men. Only 13% of women earn more than $100,000, half the rate of men at 26%.
Women More Likely To Buy In Affordable Markets
The data also showed women’s property ownership is more concentrated in more affordable regions, while men have more diverse and resilient property portfolios. This financial disparity affects access to property investment, with men more likely to own multiple property types, diversify portfolios, and withstand economic downturns.
Women’s property ownership is higher in more affordable areas, such as Kawerau, where 27.6% of properties are owned solely by women, Whanganui at 26.9%, Invercargill at 25.8%, South Waikato at 25.7% and Auckland City at 25.6%.
While Auckland City is not an affordable market, the data suggests that women’s ownership rates there highlight a difference for more attainable apartments.
Meanwhile, female-only ownership is lowest in high-demand investment hubs, including Mackenzie at 14.3%, Queenstown at 16.2%, and Thames-Coromandel at 16.3%.
“The trends suggest affordability is a key barrier, with men having greater access to investment in premium markets,” Ms Owen said.
“The pay gap is directly linked to property investment, as higher wages give men an earlier and greater ability to leverage property as an investment vehicle. This advantage enables them to acquire multiple properties, benefit from compounding returns, and build passive income streams.
“Over time, this not only accelerates individual wealth accumulation but also positions men to pass on greater financial security to future generations, reinforcing long-term inequality.”
Financial Education and Wage Growth Needed
The report suggests financial education and wage growth are critical to closing the gender gap in investment property. Mr Davidson said women’s property aspirations are clear and the challenge is ensuring they have the financial means to participate equally.
“Better access to investment education, combined with policies addressing income disparity, could help more women leverage property for wealth creation,” he said.
“Women are not risk averse to buying property, instead the data suggests they are financially constrained. More transparent financial literacy programs, employer pay equity initiatives, and targeted property investment education could help bridge the gap.”
To download a copy of the CoreLogic NZ Women & Property Report 2025 visit: www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research/reports/women-and-property-2025
CoreLogic New Zealand