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In the middle of November, the Real Institute reported that the median house price across New Zealand had risen by 19.8 percent over the year to the end of October. Across the country as a whole, the median price had risen to an astonishing $725,000, while in the Auckland region the median price had reached $1 million. In Auckland city the median reached $1.2 million, on the…

Sitting high on a hill in the Awhitu Peninsula overlooking its dramatic backdrop of farmland, Lake Pokorua and the Tasman sea sits an iconic building dubbed by some as New Zealand’s most photogenic church. Kohekohe Church was designed in 1886 by Scottish emigrant, Captain Sir John Makgill, the founder of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Waiuku in the 19th century, and a…

We would like to say a massive thank you to all of our Clients for trusting us over the past year – what a ride it has been and we are grateful to have been part of your journeys. Whilst we certainly haven't stopped yet, we're looking forward to time with family over the holidays, and will be back raring to go for 2021, ready to meet more great people! New Listings 152e Aka Aka…

I have been giving a great deal of thought and consideration to our present “Super City” Auckland Council, based on my own experience as a City Councillor of the former Auckland City Council and as a Member of the old Auckland Regional Authority. Just where is Auckland at present, what financial constraints and guidelines have been responsibly implemented, particularly as…

I love Christmas. As a child it was always a happy and fun time. Having grown up on a Northland farm, Christmas was usually a few days break from the hot hard work of either haymaking, or shearing. While there was not the emphasis on the Christian message of God taking the form of a baby, there was a celebration of being a happy family. Life had its stresses. This was usually…

The end of the year is snowballing and with it comes a culmination of many a dream build for locals who have chosen Navigation Homes to build this year. Founded in the Franklin region in 2007 by Aaron and Michelle Hall and today with 11 branches nationwide local Franchise owners, Ryan Keegan and Nathan Hall share a love of the area, with a great understanding of what goes into…

Dear Constituents of the Papakura Electorate, I would like to thank everyone who supported me and the National Party in the Papakura Electorate during the last Election. I am thrilled to be re-elected in Papakura and it will be a privilege to be your Member of Parliament for another three years. Nationally, the election result is disappointing but the National team will be back…

South Auckland Woodturners Guild will have more than 2000 hand-crafted items of woodturning exhibited at 245 Great South Road, Papakura, from 30 November to 24 December 2020. This shop is opposite the Countdown car park and just three doors south of Averill Street. Normal shopping hours apply. The range of goods from 20 club members is expected to be high everything from…

MP Andrew Bayly says his promotion to his new role as National’s Shadow Treasurer won’t impact on his constituent work. The Port Waikato MP says he won’t be forgetting his constituents despite his rapid rise up the party ranks to Number 3. The third-term MP has been also been appointed as Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Statistics in Judith Collins’ Shadow Cabinet. Collins…

Amnesty International has been called in to rule against a case involving the New Zealand government using manufactured corrupt documents to acquire freehold title land from an innocent white New Zealand farmer. This is the final part in a series on Allan Titford, claiming the farmer has been an innocent political prisoner since he opposed the Crown acquiring his freehold titled…

Sales volumes in September were nothing but exceptional and this continued into October. The estimated total for September sales of 9,666 was the single strongest month for more than four years, and it ranks sixth in the list of most active months dating back to May 2007. Given that year to date volumes are essentially at parity with the same stage in 2019, there is probably…

A lot of people who were made redundant, perhaps because of COVID, are starting or preparing to start up their own business and have decided life needs to be lived how they want it, rather than at someone else’s command. If that sounds like you, now is the time to contact an accountant to make sure you get your “ducks in a row”. Don’t wait until after 31 March and then find that…

A few days ago, I was standing in line at the supermarket check-out with my small(ish) trolley, proudly laden with “clean” wholesome foods when not entirely unexpectedly, a fellow shopper appeared behind me. Now I’m not a particularly approachable supermarket shopper, but this lady had seen the various company fitness logos on my T-shirt and forced me to break my insular habit…

2020 has been a year of immense global change, and with it people have had to adapt to lockdowns, working from home, border closures, and restrictions around social events and gatherings. What hasn’t changed and looks like it is set to continue is the demand for quality housing and the fulfilment of the kiwi home ownership dream. Owning a home has always been the dream for many…

With the Glorious weather we experienced over Labour weekend, there was certainly plenty of opportunity to discover more about our great local area. The trip out to Port Waikato has long been a favourite and a great ride on the bike or with the family for a day at the beach. This weekend was no different and it was great to see the area bustling with happy families all enjoying…

Around midnight on May 3rd 1916 in the pretty French village of Morbecque, Private James Stanton picked up his fountain pen and began to write on the first page of a canvas bound diary. “Now it’s my intention to keep a few notes of dates and occurrences… It’s started at a queer time in the night, but you see – my readers – I’m on guard and this is the way I’m filling in time…” …

The row that raged last week over the Reserve Bank’s role in the housing market is an argument we must resolve – and quickly. Since the Reserve Bank started reducing interest rates in May last year, house prices have jumped 25 per cent. Average house prices in Auckland hit $1 million in October and the median house price across New Zealand increased by 20 per cent, from $605,000…

Labour MP Ibrahim Omer received a standing ovation after his maiden speech on Thursday. The list MP is the second refugee to enter the NZ Parliament, having fled his home country of Eritrea, which has been ruled as a totalitarian, one-party dictatorship since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993.

In a recent consumer survey, 83% of New Zealanders said they would rather gain 2kg than lose their hair. 91% said they feel more confident when their hair looks good. 91% said that receding and thinning hair are a major issue on a first date. 89% of young NZers say thinning hair is a concern for them. 86% incorrectly think thinning hair is isolated to older men. Around only 25%…

Many people avoid going to the Dentist until they are forced to. Usually, a niggly pain suddenly turns into the toothache from hell, and the visit it not only necessary but urgent! Many people don’t realise that regular check-ups are not only affordable but compared with the cost of a dental emergency far cheaper in the long run. The team at Toothcare Pukekohe know only too well…