Russian buyers drive surge in bunker homes in New Zealand

Demand for apartments and cottages with underground bunkers in New Zealand has recently tripled.

The majority of interested buyers are Russian businesspeople, the Telegram channel Shot reported.

Wealthy Russians have begun purchasing bunkers in one of the world’s safest countries amid the Middle East conflict. According to New Zealand real estate agents, buyers primarily prefer cities with Russian diasporas — Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

Property prices range from $300,000 to $2.6 million. Under current conditions, properties with bunkers are in particularly high demand — such listings are shown only to elite clients after verification. If no suitable option is available, a bunker can be added independently, costing several hundred thousand dollars. The most basic bunker is equipped with a blast-resistant and gas-tight hatch and a waterproof composite structure.

Additional features may include air filtration systems, including radiological and nuclear protection, as well as explosive fittings designed to prevent the spread of flames. Depending on size, bunkers can accommodate large families or entire groups.

A completed house can only be purchased with a residence permit or a “golden visa.” Otherwise, options are limited to apartments in new developments and specialized complexes. Foreigners can also purchase land to build a home with a shelter.

At the same time, less affluent Russians, noting rising construction material costs, are turning to alternative housing. To save money, some are beginning to build country homes using shipping containers.

By Tamilla Hasanova