Wellington stories
Vacancy rose across Auckland and Wellington offices, shops and warehouses in 2020, but low rates and investor demand kept yields firm.
Wellington has cut net emissions by 7% in 20 years despite 26% growth, as EV chargers and car share schemes reshape transport.
Sales surged 14.6% year on year in February as buyers rushed to secure homes before loan-to-value restrictions returned in March.
Owners of unsafe buildings can face deadlines of 7.5 or 15 years to strengthen or demolish them, with council support available.
Average household incomes rose just 1.3% last quarter, leaving New Zealand house prices at their least affordable level since records began in 2004.
New Zealand’s housing market remained brisk in January despite a modest month-on-month price fall, with sales and auctions both at multi-year highs.
Seatbelt non-use is behind about 10 work fatalities a year in New Zealand, with farm vehicle deaths accounting for a large share.
Up to 30 percent of Wellington’s drinking water is lost to leaks, prompting a unanimous council push for urgent infrastructure upgrades.
Possible tighter rules could curb investor demand as mortgaged buyers regain a 27% share of the housing market, CoreLogic says.
House buyers and investors face tighter mortgage rules from 1 March as the Reserve Bank warns high-LVR lending is rising again.
Residents could soon have 48 hours’ water supply in an earthquake as work starts on a GBP £68 million Wellington reservoir.
A shortage of homes for sale is fuelling record house prices and leaving buyers with fewer options, despite the busiest November in 13 years.
Thousands of New Zealanders face fraud and blackmail each year as many still skip basic online security steps, CERT NZ says.
Congestion could ease by up to 12% on Auckland's roads under a phased tolling scheme, according to a Ministry of Transport report.
Listings fell to record lows as buyers pushed Auckland’s median house price to GBP £1 million and nationwide sales hit a 14-year October high.
Nationwide house prices climbed 1.3% in October as low rates and scarce listings kept demand ahead of supply.
Mounting delays and mistakes on Transmission Gully have prompted an urgent independent review to be led by Australian road and rail expert Steve Richards.
Public safety was put at risk when poorly planned excavation brought down a power pole in Wellington, prompting fines for two men.
Nationwide property values rose 0.8% in September as low rates and scarce listings kept demand firm despite the economic downturn.
Auckland landlords and developers now face slower office demand and delayed projects as COVID-19 and recession fears cloud the recovery.
