Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government isn't proposing rent controls after one of her ministers floated the idea last week.
Associate Housing Minister Poto Williams told TVNZ on Thursday nothing was "off the table" - and rent control was one idea she said had been "floated".
But Ardern said while the Government keeps a "close eye" on what's happening in the rental market, rental controls aren't something it's considering.
Trade Me data shows the national median rent climbed $40 a week in 2021 to reach $560 in December, meaning tenants are now forking out another $2000 each year.
"We are not considering rent controls," Ardern told Three's new morning show AM on Tuesday.
"She [Williams] was asked whether or not we were looking at things we could do to support renters and, of course, we continue to do that - that doesn't mean we're introducing rent controls.
"We are not considering rent controls, we are not introducing rent controls, we are not planning to use rent controls."
The Opposition last week described rent controls as a "crazy" idea, with ACT saying it would leave property investors with fewer incentives to create new supply - something that's badly needed.
At the other end of the political spectrum, the Greens had previously advocated for rent control, among other policies such as a Warrant of Fitness for rental homes.
