National house prices hit a new high of $427,000 last month but new mortgage restrictions and a Christmas slowdown was blamed for the Auckland region prices falling $20,000.
Real Estate Institute figures showed house prices up $2000 across New Zealand from November to December but Auckland region's median price dropping from $620,000 to $600,000, Auckland City down $35,000, Rodney down $21,250, North Shore down $21,000, metropolitan Auckland down $19,000, Manukau down $8000 and Waitakere was down $7000.
