Hibiscus Coast App

Hibiscus Coast News


House Prices Keep Sliding Into Winter
House Prices Keep Sliding Into Winter

07 September 2025, 12:06 AM

Property values across New Zealand slipped another -0.2% in August, marking the fifth straight monthly fall, according to Cotality NZ’s latest Home Value Index.National values are now down -0.6% in 2025, wiping out the small gains seen late last year.The median home is sitting at $809,113, the lowest since August 2023 and still -17.2% below the January 2022 peak.Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson says the downturn that followed the post-COVID boom has steadied but not yet turned.“Caution is the dominant theme,” he said, noting that rising unemployment and subdued confidence are keeping a lid on growth.Auckland continues to feel the pinch, with August falls across every sub-market.Image: Cotality NZAuckland City, North Shore, Manukau, Papakura, and Waitakere each dropped between -0.4% and -0.6%.Franklin and Rodney fared a little worse, while Rodney’s three-month drop of -1.3% was the smallest of the region.Even so, all Auckland areas remain -20% to -25% below peak values.For Coasties, that means it’s still a buyer’s market.First home buyers and smaller investors are holding a bigger share of activity, helped by lower mortgage rates and more choice on the market.Sellers, meanwhile, may find it harder to get prices they’d hoped for.Looking ahead, Davidson expects steadier growth only from 2026, with lower mortgage rates, easing unemployment, and fewer listings likely to bring some balance back to the market.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Customer told it would cost $7500 to disconnect gas
Customer told it would cost $7500 to disconnect gas

05 September 2025, 10:07 PM

A business customer who was told it could take two months and $7500 to decommission gas is one of a number who complained to complaint resolution provider Utilities Disputes (UDL) about gas disconnection issues.UDL said most of the complaints it received related to disconnections were due to payment arrears, when a disconnection and reconnection fee could apply.But fees that were sometimes substantial were also charged when a gas supply was permanently stopped, it said.UDL received 35 complaints in the past six months about gas disconnection, compared to 11 in the previous six.The number of complaints about decommissioning had been increasing steadily over the years, from one in 2021 to seven so far this year.When UDL looked into the complaint about the $7500 charge, the company reduced lines charges by 30 percent while waiting for the decommissioning. UDL did not identify the companies involved.Auckland gas lines owner Vector told RNZ that from next month it was changing its pricing for permanent gas disconnections "to enable full cost recovery" when someone wanted the gas infrastructure taken off their property.The cost ranges from $750 to $2500.In Wellington it costs $1500 for a disconnection, while in Wairarapa it is about $700.If gas is disconnected at the house but not fully decommissioned, some retailers can continue to charge a daily fee for the gas supply.Paul Fuge, Powerswitch general manager, earlier said gas supply to residential homes was in a "death spiral", with prices rising quickly.A reducing number of customers were having to pay increasing network costs. Those who could not afford to leave - or were not able to - were left with the bills, he said.Gas NZ chief executive Jeffrey Clarke told Nine to Noon people who were thinking about disconnecting should talk to their retailer, who could explain the charges involved.He said residential customers did not need to worry about the future availability of gas and there was an increasing supply of biomethane coming into the system.But Andrew Eagles, chief executive at Green Building Council, said the "death spiral" claim was accurate.He said the decommission and disconnection situation was a "shambles" and people did not have enough information at a time when it would benefit the country to have them move away from gas.He said it did not make sense that at the same time that industrial customers were struggling for gas, more homes were connecting.He said it seemed unlikely that biogas would be the saviour of the system."It's many times more expensive… we've already seen gas prices rise 18 percent year-on-year."

Kiwis Weigh Pay Against Work-Life Balance
Kiwis Weigh Pay Against Work-Life Balance

03 September 2025, 8:00 PM

Most New Zealanders still value work-life balance above all else, but new research shows many would give it up for the right pay rise.SEEK’s Money Matters report, which surveyed 1,000 workers, found 68% prioritise balance over a bigger salary. Yet, for a rise of up to 20%, almost a third would work extra hours and 28% would take on more responsibilities.At the same time, 63% said they wouldn’t take a pay cut to get more balance, highlighting the tension between lifestyle and financial security.Working from home remains a sticking point. One in five who can work remotely said no pay rise would get them back in the office full-time. That reluctance was strongest among Gen X (32%) and Baby Boomers (47%).For Coasties, who often face long commutes to Auckland, these findings ring true. Flexibility is worth more than just dollars, especially when it means avoiding hours on SH1 or paying rising transport costs.Beyond pay, the top perks workers want are extra annual leave (43%), flexible hours (29%), reduced working hours (29%), and a company car (29%). Gen Z stood out for being most willing to accept longer commutes and most keen on the car perk.SEEK’s country manager Rob Clark says the line between pay and lifestyle is shifting: “Workers aren’t choosing one over the other – they’re seeking roles that support both their financial security and lifestyle needs.”Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Big Shake-Up Planned for Universities
Big Shake-Up Planned for Universities

03 September 2025, 4:01 AM

The Government has announced a major reform package for New Zealand’s universities, designed to give students better opportunities while making sure taxpayer funding delivers real results.Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti said today that although New Zealand’s universities sit in the top three per cent worldwide, the sector must adapt to a fast-changing economy.The plan includes a new Tertiary Education Strategy to align teaching with future skill needs, a University Strategy Group to link universities with government and industry, and a simplified $315m Tertiary Research Excellence Fund to replace the Performance-Based Research Fund.Stronger quality systems and updated governance rules are also part of the shake-up.“These changes will help universities focus on what matters, developing the workforce we need now and in the future, and delivering excellent research and innovation that creates real value for New Zealand,” Dr Reti said.For Hibiscus Coast families, the changes are significant.Many local students move into Auckland universities, and reforms that tie study more closely to jobs could mean stronger career paths and research that benefits local businesses.The reforms, shaped by a report from Sir Peter Gluckman’s University Advisory Group, will be rolled out in consultation with universities, students, and industry in the months ahead.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Hibiscus JetSki Hire Rides High Again
Hibiscus JetSki Hire Rides High Again

03 September 2025, 2:38 AM

There’s something special about seeing locals get recognised on the world stage, and this week it’s Hibiscus JetSki Hire bringing home the honours.The Coast-based favourite has just won Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award 2025, placing it among the top 10% of attractions worldwide.Even better, it’s the second year in a row they’ve taken the title.Owner Dr Jürgen Kolb has built a reputation for blending fun with safety, and that’s struck a chord with more than 550 reviewers who’ve given the business five-star ratings.Families rave about sea biscuit rides, fishing trips and private island escapes, while couples have booked oyster tastings and bespoke outings. “We’ve worked hard to offer unique experiences that are memorable and stress-free,” Jürgen said.Hibiscus JetSki Hire owner, Dr Jürgen Kolb. Photo: suppliedIt’s not just about the thrills.Hibiscus JetSki Hire is deeply tied to the community, lending support to school fundraisers, youth programmes and conservation work across the Hauraki Gulf.This year they were also named a finalist in the 2degrees Business Awards for Excellence in Strategy, showing that a small local operator can match it with the best in business.For Coasties, it means world-class experiences are right on our doorstep.Whether it’s an afternoon of high-speed action or a relaxed day exploring hidden coves, Hibiscus JetSki Hire continues to prove that passion, care and a touch of adventure can take you far.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

What sort of houses will foreigners be able to buy?
What sort of houses will foreigners be able to buy?

02 September 2025, 11:41 PM

Houses in Devonport, Matakana, Remuera and Rodney, an apartment in Tauranga and large plots of land are among the properties that foreign buyers might be able to buy under new rules.The government has confirmed that holders of "golden visas" will be able to buy or build one home worth at least $5 million.Since 2018, buyers have generally needed to be residents or citizens to be allowed to buy any residential property.But there are only about 7000 homes in New Zealand in that price range.Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said $5m+ homes were only about 0.4 percent or 0.5 percent of all dwellings.In Auckland, there were 4300, or about 0.8 percent of all properties.There were another 1250 in Queenstown, about 5.5 percent of that market."It's a more notable share of the Queenstown market but even in Auckland it's fairly small," Davidson said."If you add up 4300 in Auckland and 1250 in Queenstown, it only leaves about 1500 across the country everywhere else."Trade Me has 424 properties listed nationwide with a price indication of more than $5m, including a six-bedroom house in Rodney, Auckland, a clifftop house in Devonport, a waterfront home in Matakana, and a five-bedroom house with tennis court in Remuera.There are also large plots of land for development, including large rural landholdings in Wanaka and higher-density housing areas in south Auckland.Real estate agency Barfoot & Thompson said it had 16 sales worth more than $3m in July.The $5m properties in Auckland would be mostly around Herne Bay, Remuera, St Mary's Bay and Westmere, Davidson said."Will this transform NZ housing market? It seems unlikely. Could it have an effect in some fancy suburbs of Auckland and upmarket properties in Queenstown? Possibly. But nobody likes overpaying. It's all very well to be wealthy but you're still not wanting to overpay. I still think it's hard to get carried away about the scale that this might impact the New Zealand housing market."He said any transaction would also rely on the relevant properties being available for sale."It's all very well to say there's 7000 properties, that's a small number in itself, but they have to be for sale… in a given year there might only be 5 percent of properties actually listed so out of that 7000 there might only be about 300 or 400 actually listed."For some upmarket real estate agents this will be a good piece of news but for the housing market as a whole I don't think this will change it from a subdued state to a fresh boom."There was no mention of taxing the foreign buyers when the announcement was made on Monday.National campaigned in 2023 on letting foreigners buy homes worth more than $2m subject to a 15 percent tax, but was forced to abandon that plan during coalition negotiations with NZ First.Brad Olsen, chief executive at Infometrics, agreed there would be limited impact because of how different $5m homes were from the rest of the stock of housing."They're buying in a very different market as opposed to a $600,000 house in Whangarei - it could influence places with a higher average house price, parts of Auckland and Queenstown but even there the values are on average close to $1m, $5m is still quite a big difference."Davidson said it seemed to be a decision based on proving New Zealand was "open for business" for high-wealth individuals.

181-200 of 1586