New Zealand is one of the last remaining developed countries to not have a capital gains tax and the country is still grappling with the idea.

The final decision will be announced next week following a complete review of the country’s tax system.

The Government and Inland Revenue considered ways of widening the tax-base – ie. taxing things that aren't being taxed already. Capital gains, land and a property tax on developed land are some of the options being considered

The opposition Labour party offered their support should the Government decide to introduce the tax.

Such a tax could be collected by the Inland Revenue Department either annually, based on changes to the value of your house, a big one-off chunk once you sell it, or anything in between. The tax could be around 20 per cent.

Currently, New Zealand property prices are picking up after months of falls as a result of the global economic crisis. They are starting to look healthier, with buyer confidence returning and demand increasing.

As there is a shortage of homes on the market, prices are staring to rise to as people hanker after the best homes.

But, industry experts are warning that the introduction of the capital gains tax could put off prospective buyers to such an extent that the market recovery could be hindered.

Those considering buying a property in New Zealand, renovating it and selling it on shortly afterwards for a profit will be put off buying atall, as this new tax could eat into their profit margins to such an extent that it may not be worth their while.

But, Finance Minister Bill English has expressed concern about a premature housing boom being damaging to the economy and says that the introduction of this tax could help to stop that.

However, Prime Minister John Key said it was questionable whether such a tax served its purpose.

For more information on New Zealand property and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson
Managing Director
www.themovechannel.com
0207 952 7650

It takes a lot to make a Kiwi unhappy, but the thought of an Australian beating a New Zealander to their ‘world’s best job’ title, seems to have done just that.

Nicquel Rhoden, a 20-year-old from Brisbane, pipped a New Zealander and eight other finalists to win an all expenses paid three-month trip around the Land of the Long White Cloud.

The competition required applicants to make a video explaining why they were the best person for the job, and then attract fans on a blog website.

They were judged on their popularity, sense of humour and ‘ability to brag.’
The job is the latest in a long line of publicity campaigns designed to push New Zealand further onto the world stage as a buzzing tourism destination.

‘Entirely Kiwi,’ the travel company behind the job, says the campaign, which attracted 300 applications from many different countries, was a ‘huge success.’

Despite the company name, judges chose an Aussie as the winner, irritating Kiwis who thought their home grown candidate should have won the title.

Entirely Kiwi Director Vanessa Forsyth said, “We chose Nicquel because she's bubbly, vivacious and incredibly personable.

“But it seems that there were a lot Kiwis out there who thought we should have chosen the New Zealand finalist, Craig Martin.

“Many New Zealanders had been speaking their mind on the topic on Twitter and in emails to the company,” she added.

The original Tourism Queensland job opportunity, which paid a handsome salary to a bubbly individual to live on and blog about Hamilton Island – and attracted more than £50 million of publicity in the process – was also won by a non-native. Brit Ben Southall took that title. You can read all about his experiences in his blog.

The lucky winner of the Entirely Kiwi adventure, which will start in the height of New Zealand summer in February, has won free flights and accommodation for three months, transport, a daily food allowance, spending money and a camera.

Unlike Ben, Nicquel Rhoden won’t be paid a hefty salary whilst en route. But don’t feel too sorry for her – she has landed the ‘best job in the world’ after all!

For more information on property in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson
Managing Director
www.themovechannel.com
0207 952 7650

Over the last decade, the Te Araroa Trust has been working towards creating the 3,000 kilometre track which will link Cape Reinga, at the very tip of the North Island, with Bluff, at the bottom of the South Island.

Their dream came one step closer to realisation earlier this month with the opening of the Hawea River Track between Hawea and Albert Town near Otago on the South Island, leaving only 250 kilometres to be constructed.

Slated for completion in November next year, the pathway will be one of the longest walking trails in the world and will take four months to walk from start to finish.

All sorts of New Zealand scenery and history will be laid out before the walkers along the trail. On one section, the part of the track known as the Whangamarino Track heads directly from Mercer south to the old Te Teoteo Pa.

Along the way a walker will get good elevation above the Waikato River to the west and to the east, for the military-minded, glimpses of an old battleground. This is the area where in July 1863, colonial troops crossed the Mangatawhiri River, and advanced into the territories of Waikato Maori.

Geoff Chapple, Chief Executive of the Te Araroa Trust, says the track differs from most in New Zealand.

“It’s not a traditional New Zealand tramping track, which are usually quite isolated paths up in the mountains.

“Te Araroa goes from town to town and eventually will link 76 towns and six cities,” he added.

Find out more at www.teararoa.org.nz

For more information on property in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson
Managing Director
www.themovechannel.com
0207 952 7650

The new campaign, called the ‘Great Kiwi invite’ has been launched by Tourism New Zealand and is aimed at boosting tourism to the country as well as marking the 10^th anniversary of the 100 per cent Pure New Zealand marketing campaign.

New Zealanders will be able to go online to www.thegreatkiwiinvite.co.nz and send a personal animated invitation to someone overseas.

The country relies heavily on tourism to support the economy and, with the global credit crunch slashing visitor numbers, this quirky new idea is hoping to reverse that new trend.

According to the latest figures, the number of overseas visitors arriving for short term stays fell by five per cent in June from a month earlier, with visitor numbers from Japan falling to a 24-year low.

But, the pull of friends and family is clearly as strong as ever – in the year ended June 2009, there were almost three-quarters-of-a-million visitors in New Zealand who had come to see friends and family, an increase of 3.6 per cent.

Mr Key, the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, said, “Whether it’s friends, family or people we’ve met during our travels, I want to encourage Kiwis to make contact with those people through the new campaign and invite them to visit New Zealand.”

“Tourism is a major economic driver and has the potential to help get the country through the recession in good shape.

“Kiwis can play a part in getting people to visit New Zealand, boosting tourism numbers and providing positive spin-offs for everything from hotels and attractions to cafes and taxis,” added Mr Key.

Mr Key says it is a good time to launch the campaign as the winners will be able to visit at Christmas time.

And that’s not all. Everyone who accepts the invitation to come and visit goes into a draw to win one of 15 trips for two to New Zealand courtesy of Air New Zealand. So what are you waiting for?!

For more information on New Zealand property and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

New Zealand’s property market is pinning its hopes on the increased lending limits linked to the first-time buyer loan scheme – the ‘Welcome Home’ loans are slated to increase next month and, coupled with lower interest rates, it could see a surge of new blood rushing into the residential market…

The New Zealand property market is in trouble, with prices sitting at their lowest levels in more than two years.

According to new research from Quotable Value New Zealand, the Government valuation agency, prices are 9.3 per cent lower than they were a year ago.

In the first quarter of this year, prices were down by 0.2 per cent in Auckland, the country’s most populous city.

New Zealand properties are stagnating on the market as vendors refuse to drop prices to the necessary levels in order to shift them and, with lending slow too; the market needs a serious injection of new life to spark a recovery.

That’s where home-hungry first time buyers (FTB’s) come in. Not only are they hoping to take advantage of the bottom end of the market, where prices are lower than they have been in years, but there is also a loan scheme in place to help them further.

FTB’s are a hugely valuable commodity in the recovery of a struggling market and the NZ Government is regarding them as the key to improving sales.

The lending limits on the Welcome Home loans – the loan scheme for FTB’s – are to be increased.

The loans, which are available through Kiwibank and six smaller lenders with a Housing NZ guarantee, currently have a lending limit of £110,000, but that will soon be raised to between £126,700 and £138,500.

Real Estate Institute President Mike Elford said the new limits would be welcomed.

“If you couple that increase with the effect of lower interest rates, it’s a huge step up for people,'” he said.

The loans have provided £285 million to 4,482 low income first home buyers since they were launched in 2003.

For more information on property in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

Imagine this – you cut all ties with your UK existence and fly your family to the other side of the world for a better life.

You’ve sold your house, you’ve taken the kids out of school – but it’s ok, you’ve already lined up a New Zealand job and your new life is on track.

But then along comes something you didn’t bargain for. You lose your job. You are then asked to leave the country.

Whilst the credit crunch has obviously played a major part in this, the New Zealand Government has also had a hand, with many accusing it of pursuing a ‘jobs for Kiwis’ policy.

With unemployment at a six-year high, tough economic times have led to jobs going to native New Zealanders first.

With many Kiwis heading back home after losing their jobs in another country, there is huge demand for every job and foreigners are losing out.

Jobless foreigners now risk losing their work visas and having to return to Britain.

Many of the 20,000 skilled Britons who made the move to New Zealand last year had expertise sought after by New Zealand employers and were given visas allowing them to take jobs and apply for permanent residency after two years.

But now, the Government seems to be asking these people to leave in order to free up the jobs for Kiwis. Meanwhile, the employers are losing skilled employees and, in some cases, having to replace them with less-skilled workers.

Mike Bell, of the migrant assistance group Move2NZ group, said, “We are seeing families who have worked here years being effectively kicked out in two weeks.

“Many have existing jobs or offers of work in areas listed by immigration as being in dire shortage. Employers are tearing their hair out as there’s nothing they can do,” he added.

Google NZ

Online search giant Google has launched a New Zealand property mapping service. Now, estate agents, franchise groups and other property websites can upload their house listings directly into Google Maps free of charge.

Prospective buyers simply enter the city or burb of their choice into the search engine and available listings will pop up on the map. More detailed searches can then be carried out by price, type of property, number of bedrooms and parking.

The map automatically updates with relevant listings when panned or zoomed to another suburb, and when the search criteria is changed.

Google Product Manager Andrew Foster said the company knew that many New Zealand home buyers were already using Google Maps to help with house-buying.

“By making the listings themselves available in Google Maps, we can drive qualified buyers directly to listings.

“It is a simple and free way for real estate companies to make their listings even more discoverable and have them seen on an easy-to-navigate map,” added Mr Foster.

For more information on properties in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson
Managing Director
www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

It may be on the other side of the world but that hasn’t stopped thousands of Brits starting a new life in New Zealand – in fact, it may even have encouraged them.

Despite being roughly the same size as the UK, the Land of the Long White Cloud has 56 million fewer people – meaning no more queuing for anything and shopkeepers that have time to stop and chat to you.

New research carried out by Natwest International Personal Banking found that Britons living in New Zealand rated the country highly in all areas. Not only does it have one of the lowest average property prices in the developed world, it also has lower taxes and a far better quality of life for children and those who enjoy outdoorsy pursuits.

Of course, you won’t find the same cosmopolitan offerings in terms of theatres and galleries as you will in London but that is cancelled out by the sheer weight of free outdoor activities on offer.

The stunning, unspoilt scenery also played a part in the British love affair with New Zealand.

Whilst average wages are lower than in the UK, a favourable tax regime means that earnings go further.

Of all the 2,000 expatriates surveyed in 12 countries, 86 per cent believed their lives were better than before they emigrated and 92 per cent said they were happier. Despite the global recession, eighty seven per cent were better off.

Most said their wages had gone up, with almost 80 per cent earning between £50,000 and £85,000.

Six out of ten left Britain with less than £5,000 in savings. But almost half now claim to be worth between £250,000 and £500,000. A quarter said they were worth between £500,000 and £1million.

Dave Isley, Head of NatWest International personal banking, said, “Expats say they are living healthier lifestyles abroad, whilst also benefiting financially.

“This is particularly true for expats in New Zealand who not only say they benefit from low property prices, a favourable taxation system and a healthy lifestyle but also the beauty of New Zealand’s natural environment.

“Our latest expatriate study has revealed that despite the global slowdown affecting everyone, the potential to earn more money abroad is clearly one of the main benefits expats are experiencing,” he added.

Quality, not quantity

In the quality of life index, New Zealand came ahead of Canada, which topped the poll last year. They were followed by Australia, France, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, the U.S. and China. Despite their wealth, Singapore and Hong Kong came last.

A feeling of being sick of Britain was the main reason given for moving abroad and almost all said that emigrating was the right decision.

Taxing times

The British Government’s decision to double Air Passenger Duty – up to £84 for long-haul flights – could mean that long-haul travellers to and from the UK will have to dig deep.

The move could lead to record numbers of routes from British airports being abandoned.

The tax is to increase by up to 112 per cent over the next 18 months. On short-haul flights (under 2000 miles) it will rise by just £2, but on a flight to Singapore, Malaysia or Australia, a family of four will pay £340 – more than double the current rate.

Over the past year, more than 40 routes from leading airports have been abandoned in response to a fall in bookings.

For more information on property in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

New research has revealed that residential property prices in the Land of the Long White Cloud are continuing to stabilise and values improved by a considerable amount last month, giving hope that the New Zealand market is bouncing back from the brink…

With both volume and median sale price of houses changing, economists are saying the property market — a leading indicator of the whole New Zealand economy — is slowly improving.

The QV national residential property index for May highlighted a more positive future for the New Zealand property market.

After months of falls, prices now appear to be stabilising and the index shows a dramatic improvement in values.

Overall property prices fell by 8.1 per cent over the past year – an improvement on the 9.2 per cent decline reported for the year to April and was the second month in a row where the year-on-year change had improved.

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) said that the number of houses sold was up nearly 40 percent on last April, though turnover fell seven per cent from March to 6210.

The national average sale price fell to £143,900 in May from £144,500 in April and was 4.1 per cent lower than the same time a year ago.

This drop in sale prices is being attributed to an increase in activity at the lower end of the market – of late, minimal activity has artificially inflated prices but now that is set to change.

New Zealand cities were also celebrating as the British Economist survey ranked two major NZ centres – Auckland and Wellington – as amongst the most liveable cities in the world.

Property values in all main cities increased slightly in recent months possibly due to the low interest rates on offer, causing people to return to the market.

QV’s Glenda Whitehead said, “It is clear that investors are now back in the market along with first time buyers and those looking to upgrade.

“This improvement is due to the continued stabilisation of property values in recent months and contrasts significantly to a market that was declining sharply 12 months ago.

“But it is difficult to predict where property prices will go from here as unemployment is likely to remain high as are longer term mortgage rates,” she added.

The median of 42 days to sell a house in April improved slightly on the 44 days it took in March and in April 2008, and significantly from February’s 55 days.

House sales continued to be strongest in the under £154,900 price bracket, accounting for nearly 4000 of the total April sales.

As New Zealand is now well into winter (whilst us Brits enjoy our baking hot barbecue summer?!) property transactions will begin to slow once more.

“This seasonal decline will provide a true test as to whether the recent property market revival will continue,” concluded Ms Whitehead.

For more information on properties in New Zealand and the market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

It just goes to show that even the lure of celebrity may not be enough to shift a property in the current climate – the stunning house on New Zealand’s North Shore, in which TV ratings winner ‘Next Top Model’ was filmed, failed to sell at auction this week despite hundreds of viewings…

The luxurious Campbells Bay home on Beach Road is on a 1,540 square-metre section and has ocean views to Rangitoto Island from almost every room, a saltwater pool, wet- bar, waterfall and that household essential – a dancing pole.

Hopeful models on the reality TV show ‘New Zealand’s Next Top Model’ lived in the huge house whilst filming took place. There is a ‘Next Top Model’ programme in many countries including the UK, Canada and Australia and it has become a ratings hit, attracting millions of viewers.

The property in New Zealand was put up for auction this week but failed to sell, despite the weekend open homes attracting hundreds of people. Clearly the majority of viewers were more interested in stepping onto the set of a reality TV show than actually purchasing the property.

Only buyers with cash could bid on the auction. With no bidder meeting the desired price, the sale was opened to buyers who could trade property as part payment.

Harcourts Sales Consultant David Greig, who is selling the property, said he also had overseas property buyers showing an interest and that it was a ‘genuine dream property that combines sophisticated luxury with cutting edge technology and unbeatable views.’

Harcourts says that there are still three interested parties, despite it failing to meet its reserve and thus not selling at auction.

Mr Greig said the property’s owner Seeby Woodhouse was not disappointed. “Only two properties have sold for over £1.5 million on the North Shore in the last six months.

“We are confident of still making a sale within the next few days,” he added.

For more information on New Zealand properties and the property market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650

A new scoring system that could tell homeowners, renters and house-hunters at a glance how comfortable and cheap running a home will be, is being developed in New Zealand, which could potentially add more than five per cent onto the value of well-insulated and well-designed homes…

The ‘Health and Comfort’ scoreboards – which are a joint initiative between the Green Building Council, housing research group Beacon Pathway and building consultancy company Branz – could be handed out to potential buyers at viewings.

Homes in New Zealand will be rated out of 10 for overall performance on factors such as insulation and dampness, how much natural light they receive and how much water their inhabitants are likely to use because of the design of the house.

If the scoreboards become popular, they could penalise the roughly one million, mostly older New Zealand homes that do not meet modern building standards.

According to the World Health Organisation, the recommended temperature for a room is around 18 degrees centigrade or 21 degrees centigrade if there are babies, young children or elderly people living in the home.

But, a study has found that a fifth of the living rooms in New Zealand have a temperature of just 16 degrees centigrade on a winter evening, which could be damaging to occupant’s health.

Homeowners who do not want to fork out for the Health and Comfort test would be able to get a rough idea by filling out an online questionnaire, but to get the official rating, they would have to pay a fee of between £193 to £387 for a professional evaluation.

Whilst most properties in New Zealand would currently score around two or three on the chart, the goal is to upgrade all of them to a four or a five rating.

A recent ShapeNZ study of more than 2000 New Zealanders found that the majority – 71 per cent of homeowners – thought their homes could be warmer and more comfortable, but many were unable to afford to do anything about it.

For more information on New Zealand property and the property market in general, please visit http://new-zealand.themovechannel.com/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Johnson

Managing Director

www.themovechannel.com

0207 952 7650