Meeting Chinese construction industry needs and filling a specialist training gap
Property development and construction are pillars of New Zealand’s economy and are recognised as among the country’s highest-earning industries.
Industry Articles
Property · Building · Design
Financial institutions’ obligations under New Zealand’s anti-money laundering regime
Since New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (the AML Act) came fully into effect in 2013, two Chinese-owned financial companies in Auckland have been the first to face proceedings and severe penalties from their regulator, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), for breaching their obligations. The AML Act has raised barriers to market entry, increased operating costs and challenged customers’ privacy rights. Under the current regime, businesses face a difficult balancing act: meeting compliance requirements, developing productivity and protecting customer privacy.
Prefabricated construction in New Zealand: limitless potential, an untapped goldmine
Prefabricated construction (prefab), also known as offsite manufacturing, is a revolutionary change in the history of building.
Interview with Roger Billington: China's pace of design, New Zealand's pace of life
Roger has visited more than 150 cities in China and still has his own design studios in Beijing, Shenzhen and elsewhere. China has given him not only experience in handling large projects, but also a taste of the ‘China speed’ that New Zealand cannot come close to matching. As a designer who appreciates Zen philosophy and values the beauty of simplicity, he has chosen New Zealand's pace of life, while hoping to bring China's pace of design to New Zealand.
Commercial property investment update: first half of 2019
In 2018, the overseas buyer ban closed off access to residential property purchases in New Zealand, fuelling interest in commercial property investment. Analysis of data from commercial property services firms CBRE and Colliers International shows that New Zealand's commercial investment market remained active in the first half of 2019. With low vacancy rates and rising rents, offices and industrial properties offering high investment yields continued to attract strong investor interest.
Why is New Zealand's net migration still so high?
Is New Zealand's net migration actually high or low? A Stats NZ report shows that annual net migration remains at the ‘high’ levels seen since 2014—meaning an annual net gain of between 48,000 and 65,000 people.
The Fed has cut interest rates. What does that have to do with me?
Yesterday, ‘the Fed cuts interest rates’ dominated the headlines and trending lists on major financial websites. This was also the first time in a decade that the US had moved to lower its benchmark interest rate.
Young buyers, grab these home-buying tips and get on the property ladder!
Buying a home is hard. For young people it is harder still, and for young people in Auckland it is harder again! But difficult does not mean impossible.
Landlords finally have something to smile about as a second round of tenancy reforms passes!
Landlords can claim the insurance excess or 4 weeks’ rent from tenants.
Repeal of equal property division on divorce confirmed: how will homes be divided in future?
Talking about money can hurt a relationship, but avoiding it can make divorce more expensive than getting married!
School decile system confirmed for abolition, but school-zone house prices and ‘white flight’ will be hard to change!
With education increasingly a game of wealth, how can school-zone house prices fall?
What are the hidden ‘enemies’ facing New Zealand’s commercial building owners?
Many people imagine that investing in commercial buildings in New Zealand means an idyllic life ‘facing the sea, with spring flowers in bloom’, earning money without lifting a finger;