Auckland house prices up in "busiest march since 2007"

Auckland house prices climbed last month in what agents have hailed as the busiest March since 2007.

Property prices in the New Zealand area jumped 7 per cent in March 2014, taking house prices to an average of $725,708.

Sales, though, grew too, with transactions surging 80 per cent in what is traditionally one of the most active times of year.

"Demand for property across the wider Auckland region remains strong, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future," said Wendy Alexander, Barfoot & Thompson chief executive officer.

"New listings for the month were the highest in any March for six years, and there is a wide range of properties coming through on our listings. While there remains a large number of buyers coming into the market, there was also more choice. Properties are selling quickly because they are priced sensibly to meet the market."