Situation is I have roughly $30,000 in savings accounts/term deposits. Safe, secure, etc.

I'm building up towards a first home deposit on a rental property either in Auckland (where I live) or elsewhere. If I was to go down this route, I'd be able to buy within 1-2 years based on 15% deposit (which mortgage broker has told me). However, with rental yields being quite poor in New Zealand and especially parts of Auckland, I'm wondering if going down the property route is the way to go. I'm thinking I could just build up a healthy share portfolio instead for anywhere from 5-7+ years until I settle down, buy a home with my partner, etc.

I've always had the idea of building up a wealth base of property, leaveraging each property and then getting into shares later but I'm really struggling to see how property is a good investment at present.