Rugby World Cup slows listings

The number of property sales listings jumped by 18 per cent in November, suggesting people were reluctant to sell while the country was engrossed in the Rugby World Cup.

The figures, released in a report by property listing website Realestate.co.nz, showed the number of new listings surged 18 per cent to 4459 in the month following the tournament - the highest it's been in more than 18 months.

Realestate.co.nz chief executive Alistair Helm said this indicated that sellers believed the tournament was a distraction and it was best to wait until the excitement had died down.