Latest news with #HealthyHomes
Scoop
25 minutes ago
- Business
- Scoop
Landlords Turn To Hoverd & Co. For Performance-Based Property Management Across Auckland
As Auckland's rental market evolves, landlords are increasingly seeking structured, outcome-driven support to manage multiple properties. Local agency Harcourts Hoverd & Co. is responding with a focused approach to portfolio property management, tailored to reduce arrears, streamline reporting, and improve tenant retention. With more than two decades of regional experience, the Hoverd & Co. team offers full-service coverage across Central, South, and East Auckland. From Flat Bush to Ponsonby, their systems are designed to minimise downtime between tenancies while keeping landlords informed through a dedicated online portal. In addition to servicing landlords with larger portfolios, the agency continues to support single-property owners through its broader team of property managers in Auckland. These services include routine inspections, compliance with Healthy Homes standards, arrears management, and rent reviews - delivered under the Harcourts Promise. Clients benefit from the agency's emphasis on clear documentation, legal compliance, and transparent communication - qualities particularly valued by investors managing properties remotely. With scalable support and suburb-specific insights, Harcourts Hoverd & Co. remains a reliable partner for both new and established landlords across the Auckland region.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: DCC, heritage and Gaza
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including the DCC pushing water uphill in South D, protecting Dunedin's heritage buildings, and Jules Radich's Gaza letter. Four decades of water being pushed uphill The Dunedin City Council has nearly chalked up four decades of moving beyond the legacy of the pre-1989 local body amalgamation. With amalgamation of the St Kilda borough, it was promised a new South Dunedin Public Library would be established. What a battle that has been, to see this promise honoured. Then, until 1989, with Green Island being a separate borough, the sewage from the Dunedin City hill suburbs, directed down Kaikorai Valley, could not continue on into another borough for treatment, so was (ingenious idea at the time) channelled through a pipe, via the original 1870s Caversham railway tunnel and through South Dunedin to Musselburgh. Since 1989, the much larger Dunedin City Council has had the opportunity to rectify this anomaly. Even with the lobbying from the cycling fraternity in recent decades to upgrade the original 1870s Caversham railway tunnel and turn it into an integral part of a new cycle way, the lobbying has certainly not fast tracked the removal of the sewage pipe. Come on DCC bureaucracy, stop treating the South Dunedin community with the blatant contempt that has become all too obvious. None of our local streets should be subjected to repeats of contaminated flood waters such as those of our respective residents in Surrey St, who have been putting up with this diabolical situation for several decades now. The cumulative four decades of bureaucratic culture in the DCC reminds one of the phrase: to push water uphill. Heritage and housing Re Lyndon Fairbairn's comments (Opinion ODT 2.7.25) in "A masterclass in how to block progress" I would note that Dunedin is renowned for its heritage appeal. Christchurch, sadly, has very few heritage places to retrofit. The current carbon copies of homes crammed in together, built in 10+ Dunedin suburbs, diminishes the streetscape of each suburb. They do not enhance the heritage look and feel of Dunedin as a whole. As a past developer, I budgeted for the cost of "red tape", that you say, "stifle progress". As a prudent financier I totally concur with the councillor, who claimed we were "leading the industry". The checks and balances were made to protect others. On one hand you say, "once New Zealand's fourth largest city, Dunedin is falling behind" yet at the same time also urge, "the needs of a growing population". Which is it? The comments about Dunedin having poor housing catastrophises, is unnecessary and harsh. As a prudent landlord who ensures that each apartment is totally Healthy Homes compliant, I find it alarming to read your evaluation of Dunedin rentals and see that as not becoming from a professional man like yourself. I have seen so many two-storeyed wooden lookalike, little boxes. Are we creating the slums of the future? We must make retrofitting our first option to protect our heritage established by the early pioneers (who fled from a lack of space, overcrowding and oppressive conditions) and give people appealing, interesting, architecture that will meet Healthy Home requirements, to live in. [Abridged — length. Editor.] Fitting session How ironic that David Seymour accuses Te Pāti Māori of "insane views" and being in Parliament to "wreck it" (democracy) when it is his party's Regulatory Standards Bill that is the real wrecking ball for democracy. Likewise Shane Jones calling the Otago Regional Council the "Kremlin of the South Island" when it is his party trumpeting the fast-track legislation which is attempting to sideline the democratic process. When the cap fits. Painting a reminder of respected literary figures Congratulations to Quinn Bailey and others involved in the Connect[ed] exhibition at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. ( ODT 3.6.25). The painting that features prominently behind Quinn is worthy of a bit more mention than the title, Artist and Dunedin Writer Friends . This work by the late Dunedin artist Ivan Hill was featured at the Artists and Writers Exhibition back when the gallery was still located at Logan Park circa 1994. Ivan depicts himself floating downward with a glass of wine and surrounded by tumbling kereru to join his writer featured include George Griffiths, Hone Tuwhare, Errick Olssen, Peter Olds, Cilla McQueen, Brian Turner and Roger Hall. If Ivan were alive today he would take great pride in knowing his work would feature in this worthwhile health/art concept It's a scandal Page 3 ODT 24.6.25: $16m support package for Ukraine. Headline below: Housing project cuts 'perfect storm' for rise in homelessness. People living in tents locally while our government scatters money frivolously. Scandalous. Mayor's letter post-Gaza vote slap in face Thank you for your article on the mayor's letter ( ODT 3.6.25): it does help mitigate the shock at this slap in the face for it not to be swept under the rug. As one of those who got the ball rolling, the main thing I'd like readers to understand is that we came to the Dunedin City Council with this, to ask them for cross-party support. To the question "is it appropriate for council to be requesting the government to ask their own MPs to support a minor opposition party's Bill?" I'd say emphatically yes, it is. Because council were given a clear roadmap. They were told: "Only six more coalition MPs are needed to give this an urgent first reading at central government. Thanks to a new tool, Standing Order 288, MPs can vote their conscience. We don't believe a good conscience stops deadlocked at political party lines. Here at local level, you're also a broad political church. You have community backing. So you have an opportunity here, with somewhat lower stakes, to light the path for the higher-ups." That's why Cr Garey said the mayor's letter undermined the whole idea. Councillors were directly asked to consider a conciliatory approach and they chose to make it party political and divisive. Faced with the ethical dilemma of "might this give a party we disagree with a windfall?" versus "how can we help alleviate locals' suffering?" detractors decided the former was more important. It was irrelevant who had introduced this Bill. We all would have preferred the sitting government to put forward their own legislation well before more than the combined tonnage of Dresden, Hamburg and London in World War 2 was dropped on Gaza. It is a small strip of land roughly the size of Invercargill but home to 2.1 million people, half of whom are children. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Good News For Renters As National Rental Price Falls For Another Month
The capital records greatest rental price drop Rental prices in southern regions surge Year-on-year increase in new listings gives renters more choice of healthy homes The latest data from shows average rental prices are on the decline in the majority of regions across New Zealand. The national average rental price was $636 in June this year, down 2.7% from $653 in June 2024. Renters in the capital had the greatest respite: Wellington's average rental price dropped by a hefty 10.9% to $625 per week compared to $701 per week at the same time last year. Those renting property in Hawke's Bay also experienced a greater than average drop in rental prices, down 6.6% from $677 in June 2024 to $632 this year. Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for says declining rental prices in a tough economic climate is welcome news for renters. 'We know that any reduced cost, no matter how big or small, does make a difference for many household budgets. Southern surge: average weekly rental prices increase in three key regions There's no such respite for renters in the south. West Coast's average weekly rental price of $433 is 9.1% higher than the same time last year ($396). The average weekly rental price in Otago has also increased, from $571 in June 2024 to $616 in June 2025, a year-on-year increase of 8.0%. Southland's average weekly rent of $489 in June was the region's highest on record, 6.1% more than June 2024 ($461). It's a continuing trend for the Southland property market, which also set an all-time asking price high for the second month in a row in the June 2025 New Zealand Property Market. Williams says Southland's performance has been an intriguing one to follow. 'The region is certainly bucking the trend, for both home buyers and renters. It will be interesting to see what Southland's property market does over the coming months as we move into spring.' Lift in listings: tenants continue to be able to take their pick The positive news continues for renters, with 15.3% more new listings coming onto the market than a year ago. Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington are the top three regions with the greatest year-on-year increase in new listings, reporting 96.0%, 84.9% and 82.2% respectively. Wellington's 82.2% increase saw the number of new listings rise from 276 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025; Waikato also saw a significant increase, rising from 479 in June 2024 to 647 in June 2025. 'Greater choice in the market is also keeping prices honest,' says Williams. 'And, with the Healthy Homes deadline having now passed, renters should be assured that a new listing should also be Healthy-Homes compliant.'
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Healthy Homes requirements, KiwiSaver, Jobseeker, parental leave changes and more - What's changing on 1 July
1 July is typically when many new government regulations take effect. Photo: 123rf Explainer - It's 1 July tomorrow and believe it or not we're halfway through 2025, which means the government will roll out several new changes to policies and regulations. Here are some of the highlights you need to know: One big change is mandatory Healthy Homes standards which all rental properties must now comply with. The rules set basic standards for heating, insulation and ventilation. Among them: There is a compliance tool on MBIE's Tenancy Services website landlords can use to check their compliance. The maximum weekly rate of paid parental leave will go up as of 1 July. The maximum parental leave payment rate for eligible employees and self-employed people will increase from $754.87 to $788.66 gross per week, Employment NZ said. The minimum parental leave payment rate for self-employed parents will also increase from $231.50 to $235.00 gross per week, to reflect the minimum wage increase on 1 April. There have also been changes to broader parental leave requirements which will take effect that will clarify certain details around how leave is counted and who is eligible. Jobseeker is making changes to how people can get support . From Tuesday, people will only get Jobseeker Support for 26 weeks - six months - before they need to reapply. Currently, people need to reapply once a year. Those who are already getting Jobseeker Support may still be on a 52-week reapplication before they move to the shorter period depending on their situation, Work and Income said. There will also be changes to two groups of people already on Jobseeker - sole parents who are the primary caregiver and whose youngest dependent child is 14-18 years, and people who were "grandparented" and getting benefits before 2013. The government announced several changes to KiwiSaver in this year's Budget. As of 1 July, the government contribution will drop from 50 cents to 25 cents for each dollar you contribute to KiwiSaver each year, lowering the maximum government contribution from $521.43 to $260.72. You'll need to contribute at least $1,042.86 to get that. The government contribution will be extended to include 16- and 17-year-olds from 1 July 2025, and they will be eligible for mandatory employer contributions as well, from 1 April 2026. The age for auto-enrolment will remain at 18. Those enrolled in the scheme with an income of more than $180,000 will no longer receive the government contribution. Eligibility for this will be tested according to one of the last two tax years based on the member's income, once their final tax return is finalised. ACC has raised some payments starting 1 July as part of their annual review. Clients who have been receiving weekly compensation for more than 26 weeks will have their payments increased by 2.89 percent. The new gross maximum rate of weekly compensation payable will be $2,418.55 per week. Public transport fees are changing in many locations as councils try to meet a directive from the government to pay more of the cost of delivering the services. Fares will increase in Waikato, Taranaki, Wellington, Canterbury and Invercargill. Northland's bus fares are going up in August. Auckland Transport increased its fares in February . The BayBus service around Tauranga and Bay of Plenty increased prices in April, while the Otago Regional Council has agreed to raise prices but it hasn't set out when that will happen. In Wellington, Metlink fares will rise 2.2 percent while in Christchurch, fees will also rise . Check with your own local public transport for details in your area. From 1 July, it will be required to keep records of the movement of raw milk to and from farms . It's part of the National Pest Management Plan for Mycoplasma bovis which aims to prevent the spread of the disease. The weight loss and diabetes drug Wegovy (also known as Ozempic) which is only available on prescription, should be on pharmacy shelves as of 1 July, drug maker Novo Nordisk confirmed. It ends a years-long wait for the much-hyped medication. Read more about the new medication here . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
29-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Tenancy advocate says $7200 fine for landlords breaching Healthy Homes standards too low
Sarina Gibbon from Tenancy Advisory. She specialises in working with landlords and tenants. Photo / Sarina Gibbon Landlords can be fined a maximum $7200 for breaching Healthy Homes standards from July 1, an amount questioned by one sector adviser. Sarina Gibbon, founder of Tenancy Advisory, which works with landlords and tenants, said the penalty was too low. 'It is not much at all when you weigh up
