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.