Buying a house in New Zealand is considered to be a matter of "when", rather than "if" for most people living there. It’s seen as the obvious means to achieving financial security and one that more often than not, proves successful for those who get involved.

Kiwis are buying houses at all ages, in all areas and at all prices. People generally either buy them to live in permanently and increase their value over time through improvements to the house and property, rent them out as a means to paying the mortgage off and earning income over and above that, or to use them as holiday homes.

The latter of these is becoming more and more popular, particularly amongst those with a prior real estate investment history. A large number of people live in areas of New Zealand that they’d prefer not to be, but are there because of the money on offer. It’s these people who find themselves in need of heading away on holiday whenever possible. This is where buying a New Zealand holiday home makes such perfect sense.

Auckland is where the majority of the country’s major companies are based. This city consists of over ¼ of the country’s population. Being such a busy city with constant traffic and a lack of time for relaxation, provides enough reasons to persuade people to look at property in a location that exudes that holiday vibe.

So where in the North Island of New Zealand are people buying their holiday homes? Being somewhere close to the coastline is by in far the most popular area of the North Island to buy their "home away from home". Owning a New Zealand holiday home near the ocean is embraced by nearly everyone in New Zealand.

If you live in Auckland and are looking for a coastal holiday home that’s not too far away, then perhaps you should consider the likes of the Bay of Islands, Coromandel or Bay of Plenty. These three parts of the North Island are ideal for soaking up beautiful coastal views and enjoying the summer sun and the huge variety of water sports that accompany it.

You’ll need to do your research before you jump into a coastal holiday home. They can be very expensive, depending on how popular the areas are. You certainly can’t go wrong having a New Zealand holiday home that offers a view of the ocean that is just a five minute walk from your home.