Posts by Zach Bagnall
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No one's talking about the causes for immigration here because it's mostly immaterial. As long as Auckland continues to appear in the top 3 liveable cities in the world it's going to grow, and the question is how Auckland deals with that.
Talking about who's coming and from where and how to stop them will terminally derail this conversation.
That aside, I've enjoyed reading your comments here Marc C.
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Hard News: So what now?, in reply to Kumara Republic,
* A bigger share of the infrastructure spend on urban centres outside Auckland with over 50k-100k people.
* Encouraging major NZ companies to decentralise, within reason.
* Winning the PR battle against "Generation Rentier" and implementing a CGT, non-resident stamp duty, among other measures.And make the minimum wage in each region equal to a local living wage, providing incentive to decentralise into more affordable areas.
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Hard News: So what now?, in reply to Kumara Republic,
Everyone reading this thread, feel free to suggest any ideas to bring forward the Auckland housing bubble burst. Sure, it'll be ugly and there'll be collateral damage, but I'm angry about the whole affair and it's the only thing guaranteed to rewrite the rules in the absence of political will.
Waiting for the crash that will fix everything is a hopeless strategy. Ever increasing property value is baked into the economy at this point. People depend on it for their retirement.
"Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent."
Abandoning Auckland is a good solution - if you can find an opportunity. It can be done. It needs investment and incentives to become viable on a large scale though.
Most of us are still required by management to turn up to a physical office or shop-floor.
Yep, tele commuting isn't going to save us. Companies investing in workplaces outside Auckland will.
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Hard News: So what now?, in reply to John Farrell,
There is an answer to the Auckland housing problem, for some - 2 years ago, my daughter and son in law left Auckland for Dunedin - they despaired of buying a house in Auckland. Two months ago, they bought a house here -
Agreed, ultimately that's the way to go if you don't want to be leveraged to the hilt and don't have family money to help. Opt out.
Density improves liveability (car dependence, housing types, etc) and social mobility which is a fine thing but I'm sceptical of it's effect on affordability. Auckland is not going to go from a median multiple of 10 to 3 in my lifetime absent revolution or natural disaster.
Better approach on affordability is to make other regions more viable for work. Pressured cities like San Francisco are seeing an outflow of talent to smaller regions, boosting jobs (and gentrification) where they settle. Chicken and egg though init.
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Speaker: Correcting Auckland 2040's…, in reply to Marc C,
A study or report shows light on what people prefer or are prepared to make concessions on, but overly intensified residential areas do not really seem to be the preferred option for most:
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/planspoliciespublications/technicalpublications/tr2015016housingwedchoosewithappendices.pdf82% of respondents were Auckland home owners..
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Commenting from a State with legalized medicinal (and recreational) cannabis, stories like this are really sad. It's so strange that a country like NZ, generally thought to be liberal minded if not terribly progressive this century, takes such a hard line on this issue. Come on in, Pete - the water's fine.
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You've reason to feel bitter, but no government will ever issue a refund of the fees you or I paid.
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I paid 7% while studying and after. But the early 21st century is pretty rough on those starting out so I wouldn't begrudge the next generation from receiving assistance that I didn't.
The outcome could very likely be that future New Zealand Governments end up offering subsequent generations fee free Bachelors degree while concurrently arresting previous generations for failing to pay for theirs.
That would be quite sickening.
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Su Yin Khoo,
Auckland could do well with the Cycle Hoops that WCC has been installing in various places around their CBD. It's a quick win using existing infrastructure.
Cycle Hoops! Yes those. Everywhere, please.
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Hard News: A Stand for Quaxing, in reply to Su Yin Khoo,
My bike in front of the V&A this morning.
Forgot about this Bikerakk gem along Hobson St!
These bolt-on types should be on every lamp post & street sign in town.
