“Over the next decade, New Zealand will have a housing shortage of some 95,000 homes. Now we are facing a shortage of 70,000 homes.”

I question this statement, as where are all these people supposedly residing now. Is there really that much overcrowding in New Zealand?

Well another year draws near to end with an unblemished record. For over a decade, my predictions have been right on the nail.

Justification for being a little smug? Not really.

For years economists and government have been banging on about the amount of debt per head in this country without really offering a solution and consequently the economy came tumbling down.

Little wonder when you have some Real Estate agents charging 1% commission whilst others are changing 4%.

No more 'state house for life' under new plan.

State house tenants could be evicted if the Govt deemed they no longer needed cheap accommodation, under a new plan proposed by Housing Minister Phil Heatley.

It has been reported there are over 10,000 people on Housing New Zealand’s waiting list. In fact, the Government taskforce’s housing report reported a shortfall of 70,000 houses.

Gateway Housing Assistance, KiwiSaver home ownership assistance, Welcome Home First Steps, the Housing Innovation Fund and the Tenant Home Ownership Programme.

Not one workable solution!

The weather is changing, the flowers are flourishing, the birds are singing, the sun is putting the spring back into our step. Will this help revitalise the wilting real estate market?

From today, the Government will be forcing solo parents it deems "work ready" to find work, or risk losing their benefit.

Around 4500 parents have been selected as guinea pigs, and will be the first called up to discuss their circumstances by WINZ case managers.

It is nearly a year since a massive earthquake sent a devastating tsunami crashing over Samoa’s shores.
At least 143 people were killed and more than 4000 displaced.

New Zealanders were moved by the disaster and dug deep to help – giving over $20 million.