Interview: Politics, housing, and travel bubbles
It was a pleasure to talk to Andy Thompson on The Muster recently about politics, housing, and how the Trans-Tasman travel bubble help or hinder regional economies.
Housing
Renters are running out of affordable places
It is one year since New Zealand’s initial Covid-19 lockdown, and the property market has confounded expectations since then. Even though rents are increasing in around 80% of New Zealand’s 67 territorial authorities, there remain a few places where rents have fallen in the wake of Covid-19.
How much did lockdown hurt the average wage earner?
The average lockdown wage haircut was much smaller than the fall in mortgage expenses because of lower interest rates. Consequently, in net terms, an existing homeowner earning an average income was actually better off.
Where have rents risen and fallen?
A tight housing market has continued to put pressure on renters in many parts of the country at a time when incomes are squeezed. But the geographical distribution of rent increases has been uneven.
When good people leave
I am proud to have supported this documentary produced by Storyworks, with funding from NZ on Air. The documentary looks at the human side of Queenstown's severely unaffordable housing.
Where are the biggest households?
Social issues stemming from deteriorating housing affordability and a lack of new homes have been key topics of debate over recent years. Census 2018 helps show where in New Zealand household occupancy rates have deteriorated the most since 2013.
Social issues stemming from Queenstown’s housing problem
I was recently asked to provide comment on a fantastic article by Jo McKenzie-McLean looking at social issues stemming from Queenstown’s housing situation. My comments highlighted evidence of Queenstown’s burgeoning housing problem leading to a commuter belt forming.
No quick buck from buying a ski bach in Timbuktu
Houses in New Zealand have gotten expensive, even in off-the-beaten-track communities in the central South and North Islands. Some opportunistic real estate commentators have been quick to attribute these sharp gains to skiers’ demand. In a recent interview, I poured cold water on this logic, and cautioned wannabe investors expecting to make a quick buck from buying a bach in Timbuktu.
Who are buying Queenstown homes to live in?
Queenstown-Lakes continues to have the fastest growing population in the country, with the extra demand having propelled Queenstown’s […]
10 problems with tying up too much money in housing
At the risk of sounding like a bore, this post deals with the housing market. But instead of […]