Immigration stories
Signs of a floor are emerging as mortgage rates stabilise and sales improve, though values have still fallen 10.5% over the past year.
Mortgage rates may already be near their peak, but new borrowers still face tough affordability tests and repricing pressure for months.
Specialist engineers, technicians and insurance assessors can be brought in within a week to speed North Island cyclone recovery.
Inflation, a recession, and a shortage of skilled workers are causing price increases in the IT sector, putting pressure on businesses.
Skills shortages are slowing growth across New Zealand's $18.8 billion tech sector, despite easier visa access for overseas talent.
Skills shortages, cost pressures and red tape are leaving New Zealand contractors wary as vital infrastructure projects come under strain.
Retention hinges on better support, recognition and safer workloads as a McKinsey report warns more nurses are considering leaving direct patient care.
More funding in Budget 2022 will not close New Zealand’s $210 billion infrastructure gap, with workers and costs still straining delivery.
The civil construction lobby will have a new voice on training, immigration and safety when Alan Pollard takes over as Chief Executive in January.
Technical difficulties marred the first day of New Zealand's new residence scheme, with serious concerns raised for the roll-out to 95,000 migrants in March.
Higher mortgage costs are unlikely to deter first-time buyers while rents keep climbing and remain above many monthly loan repayments.
Rising lending restrictions and tax changes are already cooling demand, though some agents say Treasury’s flatlining forecast may be too gloomy.
Lower migration losses are still propping up housing demand, though CoreLogic says border closures will eventually curb population growth.
House prices in major cities have held firm through the downturn, though UBS warns falling rents and weaker incomes could trigger a correction.
Short-term pain from Covid-19 and delayed projects is being offset by record infrastructure spending, with many contractors still hiring.
ANZ sees a deep slump in dwellings as Covid headwinds, job losses and weak investor demand push construction and prices lower.
Investor activity may stay buoyant through the 2020 election, with Colliers saying housing policy shifts have usually had only a limited effect.
Transaction volumes are expected to fall sharply after lockdown, with weaker demand and limited listings likely to push prices lower.
New Zealand home values kept climbing in February, lifting the average house to NZD $722,475 and worsening affordability for buyers.
Auckland's housing recovery is gathering pace, with low rates and tight listings expected to push prices higher in 2020.
