Property Investment
Top 5 places to invest in New Zealand
Learn the top 5 places to invest in the country and the reasons why we’ve picked them.
Hi, I’m Ed, the Resident Economist here at Opes Partners. Day to day, I help New Zealanders understand why property is such a great solution to our retirement problem. I love my job because of its variety: one morning I’ll be writing a new education seminar, and the next I’m reading reports and keeping up to date with economic changes so that the team knows where the best opportunities are.
With over five years of experience as the economist at Opes Partners, I'm well-equipped to provide valuable insights. I'm also a proud member of the Institute of Directors.
In addition to my role here, I host the Property Academy Podcast, where I share my knowledge and passion for property investment. I've had the privilege of contributing articles to NZ Property Investor, Informed Investor, OneRoof, Stuff, and Business Desk. You might have even seen me on television, as I've appeared on The Project and Breakfast.
Beyond economics, I have a background in the performing arts, which fuels my love for art galleries, musicals, and shows in my spare time. Just as I believe in the power of property investment for financial security, I also believe in the enrichment of life through diverse experiences.
Qualifications and Education:
- Graduate Diploma in Economics
- Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management
- Bachelor of Music
- Studied at the University of Auckland
- Graduated from the University of Waikato
Professional Experience:
- Opes – Resident Economist: 2019 – Present
- Member of the Institute of Directors
Notable Achievements:
- Host the Property Academy Podcast with over 1800 episodes
- Author of 'Wealth Plan' with Andrew Nicol
- Resident Economist of Opes Partners
Recent publications and mentions
One Roof - Six reasons you shouldn’t buy a house right now
3rd December, 2024
One Roof - The Kiwi economist who’s putting his money where his mouth is on house prices
10th November
Newstalk ZB - Ed McKnight: There's more than one way to buy a house
9th November
The Press - Getting In: Six-figure price boost for homes in popular Christchurch school zones
7th November
RNZ - The Auckland home that lost $100,000 in 20 years
6th November
The Panel with Sue Kedgley & Ed McKnight (Part 1), (Part 2)
31st October, 2024
The Press - Getting In: Six-figure price boost for homes in popular Christchurch school zones
7th November, 2024
RNZ - The Auckland home that lost $100,000 in 20 years
6th November, 2024
One News - Are there really 'secrets that banks don't want you to know'?
23rd October, 2024
One roof - What can you buy in Auckland for less than $500,000?
18th October, 2024
RNZ - How much are real estate salespeople really earning?
17th October, 2024
Otago Daily Times - How much less than asking price should you offer?
16th October, 2024
Stuff - Christopher Luxon puts another rental property on the market
11th October, 2024
The New Zealand Herald - Retirement Commission highlights downsizing challenges for New Zealanders
8th October, 2024
RNZ - Planning to downsize your home? Not so fast
8th October, 2024
Waikato Times - Do quicker build times = cheaper houses?
5th October, 2024
One roof - 24 hours v four months: How long does it take to sell a house in New Zealand?
2nd October
One Roof - Revealed: The renovations that can add up to $400,000 to the value of a home
21st September, 2024
Newstalk ZB - How many properties can an investor afford?
14th September, 2024
One Roof - Four pressing questions for anyone thinking of buying a house right now
5th September
RNZ - The Panel with Zoe George and Ed McKnight (Part 1), (Part 2)
22nd August, 2024
One Roof - Interest rate fight: Which bank is the king of cuts?
21st August, 2024
Stuff - Buying a house? Does a new build or existing home go up in value quicker?
11th August, 2024
One Roof - Revealed: Where Kiwis have the best chance of buying a house for less than $500,000
6th August, 2024
Newstalk ZB - Is there good news on the horizon for homeowners
3rd August, 2024
One Roof - What will you spend your tax cut on? Changes could boost borrowing power by $80,000
2nd August, 2024
The Post - Christopher Luxon puts investment property on the market
1st August, 2024
RNZ - Who are NZ's 1%, and how do you get there?
31st July, 2024
RNZ - Property investors rake in $500 billion over 30 years
19th July
RNZ - Why keeping your house on the market could be expensive - On Stuff, and The Otago Daily Times
25th July, 2024
NZ Herald - Do you really get a bargain on a mortgagee sale?
23rd July, 2024
One Roof - Fixed rates of 5%? The case for interest rates to fall hard and fall fast is growing
23rd July, 2024
Newstalk ZB - The Sunday Panel: How did we cope with the Crowdstrike outage?
21st July, 2024
RNZ - Property investors rake in $500 billion over 30 years - On The Otago Daily Times
19th July, 2024
One Roof - Worst June for Auckland house sales since records began - how sick is the market right now?
15th July, 2024
RNZ - 'Expectations need to be reset': Is golden age for property investment over?
11th July, 2024
One Roof - Revealed: The surprising odds of homeowners losing money
7th July, 2024
5th July, 2024
RNZ - The Panel with Ed McKnight and Claire Amos (Part 1), (Part 2)
4th July, 2024
RNZ - Auckland house sellers giving up rather than taking lower prices
3rd July, 2024
One Roof - Are Big Macs a shortcut to property wealth? Coach says follow McDonald's golden arches
30th June, 2024
One Roof - Why are homes in Wellington selling for 22% below RV?
27th June, 2024
The Post - The days of 10% rental yields for investors are gone
June 27th, 2024
Reality Check Radio - The one-stop-shop for property investors and strategies they use to safeguard their clients
25th June, 2024
One Roof - Revealed: How to buy a house with zero cash
23rd June, 2024
Newstalk ZB - Where can you find your first investment property?
23rd June, 2024
The Post - The return of the granny flat: The lowdown
22nd June, 2024
NZ Herald - How to get on the property ladder with Ed McKnight
17th June, 2024
RNZ - Granny flats: Do they pay off? Investors run the numbers
18th June, 2024
16th June, 2024
Newstalk ZB - The Sunday Panel: Are we having a broad enough discussion about mining?
16th June, 2024
NZA - Location over luxury: Finding affordable homes in any area
4th June, 2024
RNZ - The Panel with Aimie Hines and Ed McKnight (Part 1), (Part 2)
30th May, 2024
Newstalk ZB - Who stands to miss out from the loss of the First Home Grant?
26th May, 2024
One Roof - Revealed: The cheapest streets in NZ's rich-lister suburb
17th May, 2024
One Roof - Entry-level homes in Auckland $200,000 cheaper - 'sellers want to make deals' - One Roof
4th May, 2024
One Roof - Are homes with bigger backyards more valuable
30th April, 2024
iHeart - Is the housing market dead or just resting?
21st April, 2024
NewstalkZB - How much do you need to save for retirement?
20th April, 2024
One Roof - What's the best month to score a property bargain? Data shows when prices are lower
13th April , 2024
The Post - Auckland epicentre of mortgage crisis
6th April, 2024
One Roof - Interest rate deductibility: How much money will landlords be saving each year?
5th April, 2024
RNZ - The panel with Catherin Robertson and Ed McKnight, Part 2
4th April, 2024
MPA mag - Interest deductibility changes: Why some investors will be better off than others
23rd March, 2024
NewstalkZB - What more can the Government do to help landlords and renters?
17th March, 2024
The Post - Interest deductibility is back, but no rent cuts for tenants
13th March, 2024
RNZ - Getting our money lending right
11th March, 2024
One Roof - How much money can you make as a property investor?
11th March, 2024
One Roof - Interest rate cuts: What the Reserve Bank said and should you believe it?
5th March, 2024
One Roof - The top five Kiwi towns where you can buy a home for less than $500,000
25th February, 2024
The Post - Higher premiums coming for disaster-prone homes: IAG
20th February, 2024
One Roof - The big rate discounts banks are offering in private
13th February, 2024
TVNZ Breakfast - Why are we seeing a surge in property listings?
5th February, 2024
Stuff - Here’s where house prices might lift off most
24th January, 2024
Business Desk - Reserve Bank at 'sixes and sevens' on debt-to-income
23rd January, 2024
One Roof - Home loan crunch: How often does Reserve Bank stick to its guns on interest rates?
21st January, 2024
Business Desk - New lending rules ‘speed bump’ to regional recovery
18th January, 2024
The Post - Average home’s value dropped in 2023, but defied forecasts
16th January, 2024
Stuff - Couple selling house & lifestyle block for $250k, or will swap for camper van or truck
15th January, 2024
The Post - New controls on mortgage lending set to cement NZ’s reputation as unaffordable
14th January, 2024
The Post - Who will buy Ockham’s $1 million Auckland studio apartments?
13th January, 2024
Stuff - Here's how much of a discount house sellers are having to accept
10th January, 2024
One Roof - 12 housing market predictions for 2024
19th December, 2023
One Roof - Where house prices are rising fast – small towns vs big cities
12th December, 2023
One Roof - Why are the banks’ 2024 house price predictions so far apart?
1st December, 2023
Stuff - The Wellington house that lost $400,000
20th November, 2023
One Roof - Revealed: Where council rates are hurting property investors
30th October, 2023
One Roof - Buying a house? Here’s how much you should offer to pay
5th October, 2023
Stuff - By negotiation: How to know what to offer for your next house
24th August, 2023
Stuff - Why don't property investors like to buy new build homes?
20th August, 2023
Stuff - Reserve Bank likely to reveal first pause since OCR hiking began
12th July, 2023
Stuff - Surprise increase in property auction action as buyers move off sidelines
19th June, 2023
Stuff - The suburbs where house prices have been on the rise
16th June, 2023
Stuff - Up to 25% in 'mortgage prison' as rates and falling prices lock them into existing provider
15th June, 2023
Stuff - Newsable: Homeowners in suburbs with tumbling house prices advised 'not to panic'
14th June, 2023
Stuff - New debt rules are coming: Here's what that means for property buyers
25th May, 2023
Stuff - Too good to be true? Why these properties sold for less than $100k
7th April, 2023
Stuff - Falling house prices cause more optimism than concern
5th March, 2023
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