Latest news with #Ellerslie
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
How to get into the housing market with $80
HomeShare has worked with the Financial Market Authority to finetune its offering. Photo: Supplied/Susan Edmunds If you want to get into the property market, but don't have the money to do so, you may be about to get your chance - again. New fintech start-up HomeShare plans to launch later this year, offering investors the opportunity to buy a share in residential property. If that sounds familiar, that's because it's not the first attempt to offer this sort of investment scheme - The Property Crowd and The Ownery have both tried it within the past decade. In 2022, the Financial Markets Authority suspended the crowdfunding licence of The Property Crowd, after it contravened licensee obligations. No investors were using the platform at that point. The Ownery launched in 2016, offering shares in an Ellerslie house, but there was reportedly underwhelming investor interest and less than a quarter of shares were sold. It has not responded to a request for comment. Homeshare founder Martin van Blerk said the key difference between those previous attempts and his latest was that he had worked with the Financial Markets Authority in its fintech sandbox. The 'sandbox' is designed to encourage innovation, and allow participants to test their new products and services in a controlled environment, getting a better understanding of what the regulator will expect of them and adjusting as required. Van Blerk said HomeShare would offer 10,000 shares in a property based on an independent valuation. Its first property would be in Hamilton. People could buy single shares or many. On an $800,000 property, a share would be $80. Martin van Blerk is aiming for an October launch for HomeShare. Photo: Supplied/Susan Edmunds "The goal is making housing more affordable, more transparent and just easier to access for a lot of people, who'd otherwise be locked out, either because they don't have enough for a deposit or a mortgage, or they just don't know how to go about it." He said he aimed for an October launch and hoped to eventually have properties all over New Zealand. "Instead of buying one property in Auckland, you could buy shares in 100 throughout New Zealand, so it's a great way to diversify risk for property owners." Owners would receive a proportionate amount of rental income from the property and pay a proportional amount of the cost of ownership, including maintenance. People who wanted to exit their investment could sell their shares on HomeShare's secondary marketplace, as long as the price was set within what the company said was a reasonable range. Fees would be charged when shares were bought and sold. For first-home buyers, the fee is 0.95 percent "or slightly higher if you're a traditional investor". Van Blerk said the model had proved popular in other countries. "New Zealand is sort of lagging behind. I think this is a chance to put us at the front of a shift that's happening." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
How to get into housing market with $80
HomeShare has worked with the Financial Market Authority to finetune its offering. Photo: Supplied/Susan Edmunds If you want to get into the property market, but don't have the money to do so, you may be about to get your chance - again. New fintech start-up HomeShare plans to launch later this year, offering investors the opportunity to buy a share in residential property. If that sounds familiar, that's because it's not the first attempt to offer this sort of investment scheme - The Property Crowd and The Ownery have both tried it within the past decade. In 2022, the Financial Markets Authority suspended the crowdfunding licence of The Property Crowd, after it contravened licensee obligations. No investors were using the platform at that point. The Ownery launched in 2016, offering shares in an Ellerslie house, but there was reportedly underwhelming investor interest and less than a quarter of shares were sold. It has not responded to a request for comment. Homeshare founder Martin van Blerk said the key difference between those previous attempts and his latest was that he had worked with the Financial Markets Authority in its fintech sandbox. The 'sandbox' is designed to encourage innovation, and allow participants to test their new products and services in a controlled environment, getting a better understanding of what the regulator will expect of them and adjusting as required. Van Blerk said HomeShare would offer 10,000 shares in a property based on an independent valuation. Its first property would be in Hamilton. People could buy single shares or many. On an $800,000 property, a share would be $80. Martin van Blerk is aiming for an October launch for HomeShare. Photo: Supplied/Susan Edmunds "The goal is making housing more affordable, more transparent and just easier to access for a lot of people, who'd otherwise be locked out, either because they don't have enough for a deposit or a mortgage, or they just don't know how to go about it." He said he aimed for an October launch and hoped to eventually have properties all over New Zealand. "Instead of buying one property in Auckland, you could buy shares in 100 throughout New Zealand, so it's a great way to diversify risk for property owners." Owners would receive a proportionate amount of rental income from the property and pay a proportional amount of the cost of ownership, including maintenance. People who wanted to exit their investment could sell their shares on HomeShare's secondary marketplace, as long as the price was set within what the company said was a reasonable range. Fees would be charged when shares were bought and sold. For first-home buyers, the fee is 0.95 percent "or slightly higher if you're a traditional investor". Van Blerk said the model had proved popular in other countries. "New Zealand is sort of lagging behind. I think this is a chance to put us at the front of a shift that's happening." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Calgary Herald
17-06-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Two byelections are happening in Edmonton at the end of June — here are the UCP and NDP candidates running for a seat
Article content Article content Bhardwaj said he's hearing concerns from constituents about the overwhelming need for more schools and supports in the area as Edmonton struggles to account for the mass population boom over the last few years. Article content The second big issue being voiced are concerns surrounding health care. Bhardwaj said the current government is focused on Primary Care Networks in conjunction with nurse practitioners to ensure Albertans receive the necessary care. Article content The former teacher said if he were elected he would use his personal experience in the education sector and knowledge as a former politician to bring those concerns to the legislature. Article content 'People know I'm out and about. I haven't been sitting at home twiddling my thumbs for the last 10 years,' Bhardwaj said. Article content 'I absolutely wanted to give back to the community from my decades of experience.' Article content Article content Brar is a rookie politician making his debut in this byelection. He was a radio and TV host for nearly 14 years. In that time he said he's heard from friends, families and constituents about concerns in the community which led him to run as the Alberta NDP Ellerslie candidate. Article content 'I knew sometimes there is a gap between politics and the people's real issues, and when this seat became vacant I decided to (make a change) and bring those issues into the legislature,' Brar said. Article content Article content Key issues from constituents in the riding are education and health care. He pointed to immigrant families settling into Canada with the dream of a 'world class' education system, only to be met with overcrowding in schools and lottery systems. When it comes to the longstanding issue of health care, Brar said wait times are worsening, which is contributing to the issue. Article content Article content He said both issues have worsened under the UCP government who have 'failed to take action' to fix the problems. Article content Brar has lived in southeast Edmonton since 2011. He said the constituency has changed drastically over the past 14 years as the population increased and the demand for services has not been met. Article content 'I'll keep doing whatever (the people) expect from me and I'll make sure this happens in the legislature. This is the right time to send a message to the UCP and Danielle Smith, that their policies are not aligned with the people's needs.' Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Ellerslie murders: Shu Man Poon to serve 19 years in prison after guilty plea
Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong Photo: Supplied / NZ police The man who admitted to murdering an Ellerslie couple has been sentenced to at least 19 years in prison in the High Court at Auckland on Friday. Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong were killed at their home in November 2023. Shu Man Poon, 43, was meant to stand trial for their murder at the beginning of this month, before pleading guilty on the day his trial was expected to start. Appearing before Justice Johnstone, he wiped tears from his eyes with his head bowed as the sentence was handed down. The victim's son was also present in court, sobbing as victim impact statements were read out before a packed public gallery. The court has suppressed any other details of Friday's sentencing, including victim impact statements. The other man charged with the couple's murder, Lok Fung Lorrence Li , 27, is expected to stand trial in August next year. Kwok's body was found in their Ellerslie home having been stabbed several times. Chong's body was found days later in the Greenhithe area, and with police saying she had died from blunt force injuries to the head . Detective Inspector Scott Beard said at the time the murders were beyond comprehension. "This news is understandably distressing to her family, in particular Mei and Joseph's son." "It is beyond comprehension for the family as to how something like this could happen to Mei and Joseph." The couple had moved to New Zealand from Hong Kong in 1988. They both had multiple siblings, including two who also live in New Zealand. Chong was a nurse before becoming a midwife, and was a supportive mother to her and Joseph's son. "When Mei came to New Zealand she felt the language barrier would be an issue for her as a nurse, so focused on her family. She also supported her son as he began a career in medicine. Beard said while she was very small in stature, she was "strong-minded and passionate about issues that were dear to her". Kwok was an orthopaedic nurse for many years and was "happy in his own world" and cared about supporting his family and doing a good job. "He was still working incredibly hard, and got home from work at 11.30pm the night before he was murdered. "Joseph and Mei were a loving couple whose careers involved helping other people. "Our thoughts are with them and their grieving family." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Central Districts get vote of confidence from racing bosses
Things got worse on Anzac Day when the Awapuni relaunch lasted one race before that meeting was called off for the usual reason: a slippery surface making racing unsafe. Add to that long-term doubts about the sustainability of the remaining Trentham grandstand and Ōtaki losing its only Group 1 to Ellerslie and good news has been hard to come by in the lower half of the North Island. But help, or at least the promise of help, is on the way. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have backed the new Awapuni track by scheduling two Group 1s to be run there in the spring, if the track can come up to scratch by then. That IF has to be in capital letters as NZTR chief executive Matt Ballesty has made it clear the track must prove itself first and any sign of trouble that threatens the Group 1s will see an alternate venue found. The two races are the Arrowfield Stud Plate and the Livamol, traditionally the second and third legs of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown. With Hastings out of play for the spring (more on that soon) the three Group 1s it usually holds will be split between Ellerslie for the first, the Tarzino Trophy, with the next two legs tentatively at Awapuni. 'Subject to a visit from track expert Liam O'Keefe in early June we intend to run the two Group 1s in that region,' Ballesty told the Herald. 'However, if the track isn't exactly where it needs to be and more time is needed we won't rush and we will look at other options. 'NZTR understands all participants, especially trainers, need to know in advance where the races are to be held.' While the move is hardly the most boisterous vote of confidence in Awapuni being up and running by spring, NZTR are bringing in the big guns in Flemington track man O'Keefe, who helped Ellerslie smooth out their problems when they launched their StrathAyr track last year. Like Ellerslie, one of the key Awapuni issues has been compaction of the top layer, making it prone to becoming slippery, so it will need constant verti-draining to break up that level and create more organic matter, ultimately providing a more natural surface. But one of Awapuni's issues is rocks underneath the surface which limits the use of certain verti-draining machines. There will be weekly management meetings between the local administration body RACE, NZTR, O'Keefe and fellow track expert Callum Brown. If that all goes well racing is scheduled to return to the turf track in August with Ballesty saying, 'a safe return to racing is our number one priority'. So while nothing is certain in the increasingly weird world of race track management, NZTR are at least giving Awapuni and those who run it the chance to prove themselves. The second piece of good news for the region came in Hastings last night when Ballesty announced racing will remain at the current track with recambering work to start soon. The Hastings track has been dogged by problems in recent years, admittedly not helped by erratic spring weather, but one of its biggest issues has been the camber on the bend out of the straight. There has been debate about whether it is better to fix the current track or look to build a new track in the Hastings region, but Ballesty answered that question when addressing club members last night. 'We will start work on correcting the camber on the track and all going well hope to have it ready for racing in spring 2026,' he said. That is a far quicker, and cheaper, option than moving the track in what is a famous racing region and all going well Awapuni and Hastings could be racing, on safer surfaces, in the New Year. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald's Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world's biggest horse racing carnivals.
