On average tenants are paying four percent more than they were this time last year.
TradeMe Property stats show the nation's median rent rose to $515 per week from last January, with every region increasing.
Gisborne and Southland experienced the sharpest rise, while Whanganui's fierce demand makes it the region to watch.
Auckland's median rent's hit a record $570 high.
Wellington's still the most expensive region to rent in though, with rent rising $25, to $575 per week.