Our politicians are totally responsible for the housing crisis, writes Tom Reynolds. Photo / Doug Sherring
Our politicians, both National and Labour, are totally responsible for the housing crisis.
They allowed approximately 70,000 people to migrate per year (1 million in total over the past 15 years) into New Zealand without matching the housing needs for this population surge. Ghost houses where you buy and hold and reap the inflation increase have exacerbated the problem, along with New Zealanders returning because of Covid-19.
When National was in power Labour would not support changes to the Resource Management Act. Now Labour is in power National won't support Labour changing the Resource Management Act.
What childish behaviour by all politicians — and our young people, homeless and others are all suffering.
Tom Reynolds, St. Heliers.
House price prices rises are receiving constant media attention. One of the most significant contributing factors is the low interest rate environment.
Prior to introduction of the present Official Cash Rate (OCR) system by which the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) attempts to control monetary policy, it utilised a device known as the Monetary Conditions Index (MCI), which eventually became discredited. It is now time that the OCR becomes similarly discredited, or modified, given that the latest reduction in the OCR to 0.25 per cent has proven ineffective in stimulating economic activity as exemplified by the fact that the RBNZ has had to supplement this mechanism with Quantitative Easing — a concept formerly frowned upon, in New Zealand at least, despite being common overseas. Movements in the OCR are administered by the RBNZ in response to its belief as to the levels of "inflation" which is measured by the Consumers Price Index (CPI), which is probably quite good at plotting the price of cabbages, but takes no account of the price movements in assets, such as property/shares etc. Accordingly, the Governor of the RBNZ and his Committee may be under the impression that inflation is low, whereas, although the price of cabbages might be low, the price of assets might be escalating significantly, as is the case at present.
The OCR is consequently pitched at an unrealistically low level, which in turn encourages the trading banks to make a commensurate reduction in the interest rates paid to their depositors and lend such funds out at unrealistically low levels which enables borrowers to undertake substantial borrowings to finance not only their housing desires, but also perhaps a Porsche or Range Rover.
John Olesen, St Heliers.
Unlike the Blues, I turned up to Eden Park on Sunday afternoon for the game against the Crusaders. As badly as the Blues played, they were not the most disappointing aspect of the day. The most painful and annoying thing was the incessant music being played. Not just during an injury break or while the match officials get together to discuss a decision. It played every single time the whistle blew and it ruined the game as a spectacle. Can someone please explain to the person in charge that the fans are there to watch a game of rugby? I want to rev my team up when they are packing down for a scrum. I want to yell and urge my team on when they approach an attacking lineout. Hearing the crowd go wild is infectious to both fans and players alike. Music banging out of the PA every 30 seconds kills that excitement dead.
Kent Millar, Blockhouse Bay.
The $67 million for a cycleway should be utilised to build a second crossing in the near future that includes bike lanes. Add an additional tax on all cars coming into Auckland. Last week there were two car transporters parked in the Gulf and one at the wharf ( do we need that many cars?) yet we can hardly manoeuvre down the streets for car congestion.
I would catch two buses to the city if they ever connected. Don't sell 20-year old cars to kids, raise the driver's licensing age, cheapen and improve public transport and charge people to park in the streets so it is cost-inefficient to drive. Driving is a privilege not a right. Tax city roads similar to London's congestion zone — and give that money to public transport to improve efficiency and increase bus numbers.
Lynne Lagan, Hauraki.
As a recreational cyclist I was excited by the prospect of riding across the Auckland Harbour Bridge sometime soon. However, although the Skypath's existing design now looks to be scuttled, I believe that there is still a viable way for this dream to be realised.
If a tunnel can be constructed under the harbour to take buses, trucks and maybe trains this could solve all the challenges. With heavy transport removed from the existing bridge and the subsequent reduction in traffic volumes one lane on the eastern side could easily be set aside for cyclists and pedestrians. This designated lane could be implemented with minimal cost, the only expense being a barrier separating cyclists and walkers from cars.
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
So the Skypath is grounded. That's excellent news. When I drive along the Northwestern motorway during peak travel times I can count the commuting cyclists on the cycleway on the fingers of one hand. When I drive along the motorway at the weekend I can count the recreational cyclists on the fingers of two hands. Never before, in the history of Auckland, has so much been spent by so many for so few.
R.D. Rolfe, Massey.
I see the Skypath design has been shelved, and just as well too. How many more indignities are we going to inflict upon this 62-year-old edifice? It was hardly opened before it became apparent, that, like most things Auckland does, it was not up to the job the existing traffic demanded. This led to the clip-ons which are themselves now at full capacity at peak hours. There have been various schemes to add further bits on all of which add stresses to the bridge which were not provided for in the original design. The solution is obvious. Leave the bridge alone and build another harbour crossing, preferably a tunnel.
Peter Clapshaw, Remuera.
As a former Aucklander, currently a Northland resident and a shareholder in Northport via another company, I applaud Simon Wilson's column (NZ Herald, March 10) I have followed the debate on the future of the Ports of Auckland for over eight years, with increasing despair.
I strongly recommend that Auckland City councillors and MPs read the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy report that was thoughtfully constructed in 2018, under Wayne Brown's chairmanship. Among the alternatives discussed were a new port at Onehunga (not practical because of the hazards of crossing the bar at Manukau heads), the Firth of Thames (requires very substantial dredging and may not get the support of local iwi) and the Port of Tauranga.
The latter is well managed, and well situated but cannot expand much further.
Northport has plenty of land for cool storage, empty containers, parking for endless second hand cars and whatever else this country imports and exports.The rail corridor connecting Northport to the line between Whangārei and Auckland is secured but needs developing. An "inland port" or re-distribution centre at Kumeu or nearby would provide badly needed jobs in the west. The line from Whangārei to Auckland is currently being upgraded to permit containers to get under the overbridges. Northport ticks the boxes in every way to satisfy demand for years to come.
Gillian Preece, Kerikeri.
The news coming out of Hawke's Bay regarding our apple season this season is heartbreaking. One orchard is short of 140 pickers, the region short thousands of workers, and is estimated to cost the regional economy some $100 million.
Government initiatives to attract Kiwis have not proved effective; we all know RSE workers love the opportunities here and how productive they are. The forecast of losing 15-30 per cent of our fresh apple crop will reduce supply for local and export markets and push up the prices.
The crying shame is that our growers and Horticulture NZ flagged all this last year, before pruning time, knowing exactly what was going to happen. And here we are now, watching fruit ripen, and going to waste.
Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.
On bubble
Just as a bubble looks promising, Australia gets flooded with rain, dampening enthusiasm for wet Aussie beaches. Vaccine hesitancy is rife, now bubble hesitancy from the older and vulnerable is festering; finally lest we get swept away, Australia hesitancy. Perfect timing. Our country looks far nicer swamped with sunshine and Kiwis.
Steve Russell, Hillcrest.
On landlords
At last, a closer to level playing field now landlords get one less perk than home owners. The closer the playing field, the better chances of my children owning a home. If it gets too hard for landlords, there's always the share market to invest in.
Randel Case, Bucklands Beach.
On housing
Could Jacinda Ardern please tell us who is going to build the tens of thousands of houses? Is there any real prospect of it, as we would need tens of thousands of additional builders.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
On expectations
Part of the housing problem is due to the current generation expecting to start where their parents have worked up to. What happened to building a one-bedroom house with provision to build on extra as needed?
Jeanette Grant, Mt Eden.
On rates
Correspondent Neil Hamilton suggests we might get more infrastructure spending if rates were automatically deducted from pay or added to our shopping bills. I can guarantee that we would get more vanity projects and wasted decades added to even less accountability.
Stewart Hawkins, St Heliers.
On National
National is AWOL, so to speak. As long as National MPs are content to just warm their seat in Parliament demonstrating no inclination to speak out against the current Government they will continue to languish in the doldrums and deservedly so.
Greg Keenan, Whangārei
Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for newborn babies and older adults.