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“NZCBIA South Island branch” established, with an address by the Queenstown mayor

Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult delivered a lively address as a special guest at the launch of NZCBIA's South Island branch. ‘Over the past year, industries across Queenstown have faced enormous challenges from the pandemic. Queenstown is now emerging from its shadow, and businesses across all sectors are gradually coming back to life. As New Zealand's most popular travel destination, Queenstown welcomes you back,’ Boult said. Alongside his confidence in the revival of local tourism and property, Boult offered his sincere best wishes for the establishment of NZCBIA's South Island branch. 

The establishment of NZCBIA's South Island branch was a key part of the event, aiming to stimulate local property investment and jointly explore opportunities for Queenstown's property industry in the post-pandemic era.

NZCBIA President Frank Xu said: ‘Our original aim in holding this event was to pool our knowledge, learn from one another and share experience, bring resources together to facilitate strategic partnerships, and jointly face the industry's risks and challenges.’

Industry experts gather in Queenstown —“discussing” the industry's future

The seminar brought together New Zealand property experts, experienced investors and leading political figures. NZCBIA President Frank Xu delivered the opening address, launching a high-calibre industry conference.

 1.   Former National Party MP Denise Lee: Explaining the major changes in the Building Amendment Bill

Property Council's head of advocacy and former National Party MP Denise Lee discussed the importance of Resource Management Act (RMA) reform and building system reform through the Building Amendment Bill. Denise focused on how building law reforms in recent years have affected the property industry. Topics included strengthening the regulatory framework for building products, improving modern methods of construction, strengthening occupational regulation, and managing risk and liability. Her presentation gave attendees a fuller understanding of the legislation's significance for the construction industry.

1. New Zealand's largest property development company's CEO discusses the new housing policies' impact on today's property market

Universal Homes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Crosby focused on the impact of the new housing policies on the current property market. An experienced developer, Crosby has developed numerous projects in New Zealand and the United States.

He told attendees: ‘The new housing policies are having a substantial impact on investors. First-home buyers now far outnumber investors in the market, accounting for 90% of market share, while investors make up only around 10%. The new policies are having a positive effect on the current housing market.’ 

1. Colliers International New Zealand director: Commercial property will offer new opportunities in the future property market

Chris Dibble, a director and head of research and communications at Colliers International New Zealand, told the seminar that the pandemic's impact and new tax policies were driving a fresh wave of change in the property market.

Chris said: ‘As current property policies affect the market, commercial property will see new opportunities. Many of the Government's policy announcements may be more favourable to commercial development. Low interest rates and New Zealand's severe housing undersupply will support continued house price growth, but increasingly expensive construction costs remain a challenge for the industry's future.’ 

As a director of Colliers International New Zealand, Chris Dibble is also an experienced property market commentator. He frequently contributes to media discussions on current and future property trends, offering his latest insights.

1. Opes Real Estate marketing director: Queenstown's development after the pandemic

Jeremy Kelleher, marketing director at Opes Real Estate, is an experienced industry professional with more than 15 years in property. Using data, Jeremy analysed the property outlook for the South Island and Queenstown and explained the largest residential project being developed at Jack's Point in Queenstown. His analysis gave attendees a strong sense of the enormous potential of Queenstown's property industry.

Property roundtable — industry leaders explore opportunities and challenges

The New Zealand Chinese Property Roundtable is committed to creating a high-level networking platform for Chinese entrepreneurs in New Zealand. Its mission is to ‘establish and promote the business principles of Chinese businesspeople in New Zealand’, guided by the values of ‘integrity, responsibility, sharing and collaboration’. This property roundtable brought together leading experts and authoritative industry figures. Their discussions and perspectives on the industry's future added depth to the seminar's overall purpose.

 

NZCBIA President Frank Xu said: ‘This is the first time the NZCBIA Chinese Property Roundtable has been held in Queenstown. We invited prominent developers and industry leaders from Auckland and Queenstown to discuss key industry issues. Representatives of Remarkables Park, Queenstown's largest commercial project, and Qianlong Ltd, a major developer involved in the project, joined discussions on new development opportunities and challenges across the Queenstown and Auckland markets. NZCBIA's Auckland delegates and board members also raised industry questions, offered constructive views and shared the similarities and differences between property development in Auckland and Queenstown.’ 

Delegates unanimously proposed that NZCBIA should more actively publicise the contributions Chinese property developers and construction companies make to New Zealand's property industry, helping mainstream society and the media recognise their contribution to the country's economy and society.

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The Queenstown seminar was a high-standard property industry gathering. It also provided an excellent opportunity for business development, reflecting NZCBIA's commitment to improving the overall standard of New Zealand's property and construction industry. The establishment of NZCBIA's South Island branch will also help realise its vision of ‘uniting our strengths and building success together’.