Most NZ house painting jobs fall within a predictable range depending on size, condition, and whether it's interior or exterior work. Interior averages $35/m², exterior $50/m², and a qualified painter charges $55/hr. A complete 3-bedroom repaint runs $11,000–$13,000. NZ painter pricing data — updated April 2026.
Prices last updated: April 2026
Typical ranges for a 3-bedroom NZ home. Your actual cost depends on size, surface condition, and job scope.
| Region | Avg Interior/m² | Avg Exterior/m² | Avg Hourly | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | $42 | $58 | $62 | +15–20% |
| Wellington | $40 | $55 | $60 | +10–15% |
| Christchurch | $35 | $48 | $55 | Average |
| Hamilton | $33 | $46 | $52 | −5% |
| Tauranga | $36 | $50 | $56 | Average |
| Dunedin | $32 | $44 | $50 | −10% |
| National Avg | $35 | $50 | $55 | Baseline |
These figures are based on standard residential repaints — surfaces in fair to good condition, mid-range paint, and typical 2.4m ceiling heights. Your actual cost will shift with house size, surface condition, access, and paint quality. For a full breakdown of every pricing factor, see our complete painting cost guide. (Stats NZ data)
Need a room-by-room or full house breakdown? See cost to paint a house in NZ.
These averages are a guide, but every house is different. Use our calculator to estimate your specific job.
Use our AI tool to calculate painting job costs instantly — built for NZ painters and plasterers.
Yes — roughly 3–5% per year, driven by rising labour costs, paint and material prices, and higher compliance overheads (insurance, ACC, health and safety). The increases have been steady rather than dramatic. Getting quotes sooner rather than later helps lock in current rates. Use our per-m² rates to estimate your job at today's prices.
The national average for a complete 3-bedroom house repaint (interior + exterior) is $11,000–$13,000. Interior-only averages $5,500 and exterior-only averages $7,000.
The average charge-out rate for a qualified NZ painter is $55/hr. This ranges from $42–$65/hr in smaller centres to $50–$80/hr in Auckland and Wellington.
NZ painting costs are generally 10–20% lower than Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne, but similar to regional Australian areas. The gap has narrowed in recent years as NZ labour costs have increased.
Use our AI tool to calculate painting job costs instantly — built for NZ painters and plasterers.