Pinehaven, Upper Hutt

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2134 days ago

Why NZ won't follow Australian property downturn

Garry Tranter from Price My House for Free Limited

With house prices now falling significantly in Australia, the inevitable question is beginning to arise: “will the downturn spread across to NZ?” We’re not convinced that it will, for three main reasons.

• First, NZ does not generally have an oversupply of property of any type or in any … View more
With house prices now falling significantly in Australia, the inevitable question is beginning to arise: “will the downturn spread across to NZ?” We’re not convinced that it will, for three main reasons.

• First, NZ does not generally have an oversupply of property of any type or in any region. Indeed, our largest city of Auckland has the opposite problem: a large shortfall of housing, which is propping up values even though property is relatively unaffordable in our biggest city. By contrast, it is widely accepted that there are too many apartments in Sydney and Melbourne, and this is dragging down prices. So-called settlement risk (where a buyer who purchased off the plans some time earlier suddenly walks away from the transaction) is a growing problem for some of these large-scale developments.

• Second, NZ is yet to see the same increases to mortgage rates that other countries are seeing, including Australia. In fact, although there are now signs that it might be ending, the banks here have recently engaged in a “rate war” with borrowers enjoying some pretty sharp fixed-rate deals in recent weeks. On a related point, about 80% of mortgage debt is on fixed interest rates in NZ, giving borrowers time to adjust their finances in advance of an interest rate increase being pushed through to their mortgage. That is in stark contrast to Australia, where floating rates dominate.

• Third, NZ’s regulators have arguably been much more proactive than Australia’s in curbing the riskiest lending practices. Interest-only lending is more controlled in NZ, and it’s also easy to forget that we’ve actually had the LVR restrictions (in one form or another) here for five years now. This has put our mortgage market on a surer footing than Australia To be fair, none of this precludes a housing market downturn here in NZ at some stage in the future. But for now, and with the labour market a huge support for property, we’re confident that Australia’s problems won’t be replicated in New Zealand for the foreseeable future.

Article by Kelvin Davidson

2134 days ago

We're proudly supporting...

The Warehouse New Zealand

Help The Warehouse support Water Skills for Life and keep our little kiwis safe in the water.

Water Skills for Life is a program developed for children in Years 1 - 8 to learn water safety skills and risk awareness.

It gives them the tools they need to stay safe now and for their future lives… View more
Help The Warehouse support Water Skills for Life and keep our little kiwis safe in the water.

Water Skills for Life is a program developed for children in Years 1 - 8 to learn water safety skills and risk awareness.

It gives them the tools they need to stay safe now and for their future lives in, on and around the water. Children are taught Water Skills for Life at school. It’s easy to teach and fun for kids to learn.

Support Drowning prevention training for all kids. Donate in-store today.
Find out more

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2134 days ago

Come visit us at our Wellington Campus!

New Zealand College of Massage

We’re inviting our neighbours to visit our Wellington Campus this month for our FREE Open Day - Workshop on the Principles of Massage.

Come along and talk to us about how a career as a Massage Therapist can give you the flexibility to be your own boss and run your own business, your way 👐
View more
We’re inviting our neighbours to visit our Wellington Campus this month for our FREE Open Day - Workshop on the Principles of Massage.

Come along and talk to us about how a career as a Massage Therapist can give you the flexibility to be your own boss and run your own business, your way 👐

The New Zealand College of Massage is offering flexible part-time & full-time qualifications starting from February.

As a graduate, you have the freedom of working from home, in a clinic, or as a mobile provider, and benefit from low setup costs and good remuneration.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Register now for this FREE event now via the link.

We look forward to meeting you!
Find out more

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2135 days ago

Wanted: Upper Hutt College Senior Boys Blazer

Michelle from Ebdentown

Wanted: Upper Hutt College Senior Boys Blazer
Size S or Size M

2136 days ago

Hutt housing boom

Matt Tso Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Realtor says there are 1200 to 1500 new build homes planned or underway in the Hutt Valley.

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2136 days ago

Summer Show featuring Begonias and Fuchsias

Allison from Silverstream

Come to see sensational seasonal blooms on 9 & 10 February at Walter Nash Centre, Taita. The show is put on by the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society and associated groups. Entry is just $3 for adults and children are free. See poster for full details.

2136 days ago

Too Much Backyard Fruit?

Manuela from Community Fruit Wellington

If your trees have more fruit than you can use, don't let it go to waste - get in touch with Community Fruit Wellington (ph: 022 596 9577 or email wellypickfruit@gmail.com) and our volunteers will come and pick, or collect already picked fruit, from you. Fruit goes to Kaibosh and some local … View moreIf your trees have more fruit than you can use, don't let it go to waste - get in touch with Community Fruit Wellington (ph: 022 596 9577 or email wellypickfruit@gmail.com) and our volunteers will come and pick, or collect already picked fruit, from you. Fruit goes to Kaibosh and some local Foodbanks who distribute it back into the community to those in need. Want to find out more about us? Go to our Facebook page, or come and visit us at the Island Bay "Day in the Bay" event on Sunday 11 February, or the Newtown Fair on Sunday 3 March. We'd love to have a chat about how we can work together to reduce unnecessary backyard fruit waste!

Free

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2136 days ago

Timetable changes arrive 3 Feb

Community Engagement Advisor from

From 3 February we’re introducing timetable changes to some bus routes. They’re designed to help more buses arrive on time and provide more morning and evening services to help you get where you need to go. Changes always take a while to bed in, so bear with us as we get the timetable up to … View moreFrom 3 February we’re introducing timetable changes to some bus routes. They’re designed to help more buses arrive on time and provide more morning and evening services to help you get where you need to go. Changes always take a while to bed in, so bear with us as we get the timetable up to speed.

Before you travel be sure to check whether your timetable has changed. Visit metlink.org.nz or call 0800 801 700.

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2136 days ago

Wow! Thank you for your support

The Team from Wasp Wipeout

Your generosity is helping to ensure we have another successful Wasp Wipeout season this summer. Baiting is about to start in some areas so thank you to those who are volunteering to help put it out. You can donate to Wasp Wipeout here: givealittle.co.nz... or find out more here: … View moreYour generosity is helping to ensure we have another successful Wasp Wipeout season this summer. Baiting is about to start in some areas so thank you to those who are volunteering to help put it out. You can donate to Wasp Wipeout here: givealittle.co.nz... or find out more here: www.stuff.co.nz...

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