Important and Useful links

Consumer Build – a joint website of the Consumers' Institute and the Department of Building & Housing
www.consumerbuild.org.nz

Property Institute of New Zealand – the professional body incorporating the New Zealand Institute of Valuers providing useful information for the public using valuers
www.property.org.nz

Local Authority Websites – check the zoning and hazard maps of your property, as well as rates information

Auckland City planning maps showing zoning and hazards http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/documents/district/stindex/stlist.asp

Auckland City rates 
www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/services/ridonline/default.asp

Auckland Regional Council rates 
http://www.arc.govt.nz/council/rates/check-your-property-rates-here.cfm

North Shore City rates
http://publicgis.northshorecity.govt.nz/website/Internet/GISInternet/viewer.htm

Waitakere City rates 
http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/CnlSer/rt/search/dsp_RatesOnlineSearch.aspx

Hamilton City rates 
http://web.hcc.govt.nz/jsplive/rates/rt_val_impact/rt_val_impact.jsp

Wellington City rates 
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/rates/search/search.html

Christchurch City rates 
http://ratesinfo.ccc.govt.nz/index.aspx

PLEASE NOTE: Manukau City does not provide rates information online.

Department of Building & Housing – useful information relating to Building, renovating and maintence, along with residential tenancies, and weather tightness
http://www.dbh.govt.nz/

Interest.co.nz – provides a comprehensive comparison of interest rates in New Zealand
http://interest.co.nz/

Sorted.org - run by the Retirement Commission, providing a raft of useful information to do with mortgages, investing, asset protection and Kiwisaver 
http://www.sorted.org.nz/