Hibiscus Coast households in early 2026 are seeing a softer Auckland jobs market, while housing costs stay broadly steady in real terms.

A February 2026 Auckland Council update says Auckland employment fell compared with a year earlier, marking another quarter of negative annual jobs growth.

Unemployment remains high at 6.4 percent, which the update says is the highest level since 2014 and about double the 2021 low.

Housing signals are mixed but calmer than the boom years.

The median Auckland house price in December 2025 was $1,015,000 in real terms, which the update says is broadly flat over recent months and well below the 2021 peak.

Sales have lifted from the 2023 low point, but remain well below the 2021 peak.

Rents are not rising in real terms.

The update puts Auckland’s average weekly rent in November 2025 at $673 in real terms, down on early 2021 and similar to around a decade ago.

There are some early signs of a lift in building.

The update says new dwelling consents have been rising since April and are up on a year earlier, though still below the 2022 peak.

For Hibiscus Coast residents, the jobs slowdown matters most for people who commute south and for local businesses linked to construction and services.

Steadier house prices and rents may reduce pressure on budgets, but job security is the bigger watch-out.

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