• AI image search changes how property has been searched for decades 
• Search tool reflects shift toward more intuitive digital experiences 
• Innovative tool comes in realestate.co.nz’s 30th year 

realestate.co.nz has unveiled a major shift in how Kiwis search for homes, launching a new AI-powered image search - the first website in New Zealand to introduce the technology to the market.

The new feature allows property seekers to search for the features that matter to them, such as weatherboard exterior, wooden flooring, home gym, or a pool, with results surfaced directly from the images, rather than relying solely on written descriptions.

Behind the scenes, the technology combines two layers of AI innovation. First, AI analyses each image uploaded to the platform – which rests within the AI data cloud from Snowflake – and identifies key features such as room type, interior style, flooring, and standout elements, such as custom shelving. It can even detect more subjective qualities, such as whether a property has a great view or a garden has shade trees.

The second layer determines how the data is used. The platform’s search functionality has been upgraded to interpret both exact matches and related concepts, helping users to discover options they may not have initially considered.

Sarah Wood, CEO of realestate.co.nz, says the innovation reflects the organisation’s mission of making the search journey easier and more intuitive for property seekers.

“In our 30-year history, we’ve developed a deep understanding of how people connect with property,” explains Wood.

“Property searches have traditionally depended on how accurately a home is described and whether all the key features a buyer is looking for are included in the listing description.”

“But buying a home is an emotional decision. People respond to how a space looks and feels. This tool connects people with homes based on what they’re genuinely drawn to, whether that’s a swimming pool, home gym, wine cellar, or walk-in wardrobe!”

Wood says the feature not only improves discovery for buyers and renters, it means less time refining search filters and more time discovering homes that actually match what they want.

“This tool places greater importance on high-quality images that showcase a property’s best or most unique features, because those are the images directly powering search results,” she says.

Tony Shaw, Country Manager New Zealand for Snowflake, said the tool is a prime example of what AI is capable of with the right data foundation in place.

“realestate.co.nz is the leader in property intelligence, managing vast amounts of data including photos, maps, addresses, and listings,” he says. “By leveraging Snowflake’s Cortex AI, realestate.co.nz is using this wealth of data to personalise the customer experience with high accuracy and at a significant scale, and this use of AI benefits all New Zealanders buying, selling or leasing property."

The launch of its AI image search tool cements realestate.co.nz’s position as a leader and long-standing innovator in the property search space. Established before Google, the website has been helping Kiwis buy, sell, or rent property since 1996, making it New Zealand’s longest-standing property website.

“Thirty years ago, we brought property searching online. Now we’re redefining it again,” says Wood.

The introduction of AI image search is the latest in realestate.co.nz’s innovations, which previously included Tāhū, the little robot that made the property process easier for sellers, and AI floor plan surfacing.

The AI image search tool is now live in beta mode on the realestate.co.nz app. Kiwi property seekers are invited to be part of searching history and provide feedback on the tool.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Hannah Franklin | hannah@realestate.co.nz

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