The median house price in Otago has reached a new high of $296,000.

That's a $16,000 jump compared to this time last year.

Prices are mostly up in rural areas but down in Dunedin, and overall sales volumes have fallen 7% in the last 12 months.

Otago is one of six regions in the country to hit a new record high median sale price.

Smaller increases are also being reported in Southland and the Queenstown Lakes area.

There has been a large jump in sales volumes in Gore and commentators say demand from first home buyers remains solid.