Immigration stories
Researchers in the UK are developing an app called 'Shatter Secrets' to help travellers protect their digital information from border control agents.
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.
House price growth is expected to remain modest as easing lending conditions and strong migration support demand, but listings stay tight.
Auckland owners face weaker values for longer, but CoreLogic says the city lacks Sydney’s apartment glut and crash risk remains limited.
New Zealand businesses are being told to prioritize attitude and personality over technical skills due to a shortage of skilled workers.
Policy changes in 2019 could dampen buyer demand and reshape lending as New Zealand's housing market enters another year of low, steady volumes.
Demand for construction professionals is likely to keep outstripping supply this year, as New Zealand presses ahead with its housing push.
Construction firms should face fewer delays as Filipino recruits arrive with Site Safe health and safety training already completed.
Scott Nolan looks for founders with a unique view of the world, deep internal motivation, and a level of rigour driven by their own expectations.
Business leaders say transport bottlenecks and planning delays are constraining growth as most back higher public-private infrastructure spending.
