Every time a new piece of economic data is released, it feels as though the country collectively holds its breath in the hopes of some good news. The recovery is underway, but it remains firmly stuck in first gear. The Reserve Bank itself describes it as “uneven”, with strong exports supporting parts of the economy while weak income growth, job insecurity and flat house prices continue to weigh on...
Last month we popped across the ditch for a family holiday in Australia. The girls were convinced they'd bump into the Norris Nuts somewhere along the way (all the parents out there will understand!). Our main stop was Port Douglas, a beautiful tropical town that serves as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Amanda had booked what was advertised as a five-star resort. Naturally, expectations were...
When Sunday open homes are slow, I'm guilty of a little doom-scrolling, even though I tell myself not to. Recently, an article about Marcus Aurelius caught my attention. It wasn't about his role as Emperor of the Roman Empire, but rather his commitment to the ancient Greek philosophy of Stoicism. The more I read, the more I realised there were some surprisingly relevant lessons for the world of real...
For the first time in quite a while, the Australian economy is starting to wobble a little. Now before anyone gets too excited, it is nothing compared to what New Zealand has endured over the past four years, but the cracks are beginning to show in the lucky country. For years we have looked across the ditch wondering how Australia always seems to come out on top. Bigger wages, stronger growth, more...
Last month, Stuff ran an article questioning whether it’s still possible to work hard and get ahead in New Zealand. It centred on a young professional who had been renting for over a decade and still couldn’t see a path into home ownership. This month, we take a step back and look at how property how property has changed in line with generational shifts. Can’t Afford a First...
Back in January, I mentioned that this year could hinge heavily on global politics, particularly the decisions coming out of the US and the potential flow-on effects. Fast forward a few months and we’re suddenly staring down the barrel of an oil shock, with significant supply disruption and even whispers of “carless days”, a throwback to the 1970s. The Middle East has always been volatile, and...
Last month I spent just over 24 hours in Melbourne visiting friends. Amanda stayed on a little longer, but with Sunday being open home day, I needed to be back. Our friends live in a very cool 1960s home about 25 minutes from the CBD, close to the sea. Over a drink, Dan mentioned the house had a few issues, nothing unexpected, and things they knew about when they bought. He said something that really...
The start of a new year always brings a sense of optimism. A fresh page, a chance to reset, and the comforting idea that last year’s bad habits can stay exactly where they belong, last year. If you’re a regular gym-goer, January is chaos. Classes book out, new year’s resolutions are everywhere, and suddenly it’s harder to get a spot in the class than Taylor Swift tickets. For gyms, January must...
And just like that, we find ourselves at the end of another year. For many, this time comes with a hopeful sense that next year will be better, as if a short shutdown in December can miraculously heal an entire economy. So, what have we learned in 2025? Rate Cuts All year the conversation centred on rate cuts and the expectation that they would reignite the market, just as we saw during the...
Only a few short years ago, New Zealand was in the grip of a housing crisis. The headlines screamed about supply shortages, record prices were locking out first-home buyers, and rents were through the roof. Political parties blamed each other for decades of under-investment in housing. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re facing the opposite problem. We now have more homes than people willing to...