Media releases

Recent Media Releases

2016

• Buying apartments off-the-plan: Choose quality and experience. See full release here.
   
• Provoke, Inform, Inspire - Residential Summit to address housing issues. See full release here.
   
• Property Council New Zealand Southern Excellence Award Winners Announced. See full release here.
   
• Industry stars celebrated at We Are Waikato 2016 Awards. See full release here.
   
• Industry Excellence Celebrated at the 2016 Auckland Property People Awards . See full release here.
   
• Property Council advises caution on Hamilton Council Property Development. See full release here
   
• Auckland held to ransom by appeals. See full release here.
   
• New Zealand commercial property holds its own on world stage. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the arrival of Urban Development NPS. See full release here.
   
• Protecting Dunedin’s heritage buildings, yes, but at what cost?. See full release here.
   
• Property Council’s Wellington Property People Awards have been announced in a vibrant sold-out event in Wellington. See full release here.
   
• Property Council commends Auckland Councillors for passing the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan yesterday and views it as a step-change for Auckland’s future growth and urban rejuvenation. See full release here.
   
• The proposed Wellington Airport runway extension is a welcome step in futureproofing the infrastructure needed to manage Wellington’s growth and development. See full release here.
   
• Property Council research into rating policies in New Zealand’s main cities paints a bleak picture for Wellington commercial property owners. See full release here.
   
• Property Council congratulates the Independent Hearings Panel on delivering a set of forward thinking Unitary Plan recommendations that sets a clear and considered path for Auckland to follow as it transforms into the world’s most liveable city. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes Tauranga City Council’s Civic Heart initiative as a step forward in the urban renewal of Tauranga’s CBD.. See full release here.
   
• The Proposed NPS on Development Capacity is good news for our cities. See full release here.
   
• Property Council New Zealand strongly welcomes the Government's announcement of a $1 billion infrastructure fund. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the announcement by Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Greater Christchurch Regeneration, that construction of the Christchurch Convention Centre will begin soon. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the Interim Report: Findings and Conclusions, released by the Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) as a positive step in providing certainty for transport in Auckland. See full release here.
   
• Property Council strongly welcomes Local Government New Zealand’s independent rating system to measure councils’ performance. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Wellington Branch has launched its nominations for the Wellington Property People Awards 2016. See full release here.
   
• Property Council CEO, Connal Townsend welcomes the Government’s proposed National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity as a critical policy for growth. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes the Government’s Budget announcement revealed many beneficial initiatives, however more must be done to address Auckland’s housing crisis. See full release here.
   
• The Property Council New Zealand/IPD New Zealand Quarterly Property Index Q1 show a total annualised return of 13.9% for the year-ending March 2016. This is above the 12.5% to December 2015 and the ten-year average return of 9.9%. See full release here.
   
• The Metropolitan Urban Limit and the Rural Urban Boundary are barriers that were introduced to prevent sprawl. Unfortunately, manipulating market behaviour through highly interventionist policies has resulted in the perverse effect of land supply being starved over the years. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes the Reserve Bank’s loan-to-ratio restrictions to curb soaring house prices is charting into treacherous waters which it must tread carefully. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is pleased to note Dunedin City Council’s Annual Plan 2016/17 is largely aligned with the council’s Long Term Plan 2015-2015. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is extremely disappointed with the planned loss of 500 IRD workers from Hamilton’s CBD. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes Tauranga City Council’s draft Annual Plan 2016/17 is well aligned with the council’s adopted Long Term Plan 2015-2025, following its submission. See full release here.
   
• The nominations for the national annual Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards have been announced. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes stop gap measures are required to make the current resource management system more effective in the short to medium terms. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch wishes to acknowledge Julie Hardaker’s efforts as mayor of Hamilton, following her announcement to step down later this year. See full release here.
   
• Property Council calls for the Government to remove barriers facing building owners for assessing and upgrading their buildings against earthquakes. See full release here
   
• Property Council is appalled with Auckland councillors who have withdrawn their support to rezone Auckland suburbs with the capacity for more housing and apartments. See full release here
   
• The New Zealand Council of Shopping Centres strongly supports a National Policy Statement to provide clarity, pragmatism, and guidance on urban development under the RMA. See full release here
   
• A new report placing Auckland as the fifth most expensive housing market in the world should serve as a serious warning for housing affordability in Auckland. See full release here
   
•  Property Council reinforces its urgent call to action on the country’s desperate housing crisis as a new report names New Zealand “as the most expensive country in the world to buy property.” See full release here
   

2015

• Property Council welcomes Wellington City Council's announcement about the new Wellington Movie Museum and Convention Centre as an opportunity to regenerate and economically grow the city. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the establishment of Regenerate Christchurch as the strategic driver for the regeneration of Christchurch’s urban form. See full release here.
   
• Property Council supports the Government’s overhaul of the Resource Management Act announced today, calling for it to be supported by all political parties across the spectrum. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes a new report into extending Wellington International Airport’s runway as strong evidence of a compelling business case for the project. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Otago Chapter is concerned that Dunedin City Council’s Second Generation District Plan has too many impractical and prescriptive policies and rules. See full release here.
   
• Property Council’s inaugural South Island regional awards winners have been announced in a spectacular sold-out event in Christchurch. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment urging early planning and management for towns that will be affected by rising sea levels in coastal areas. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes the most important outcome of Environment Canterbury Regional Council’s governance restructure is how it will influence regional growth. See full release here.
   
• Congratulations to all the winners of the highly successful fifth annual Waikato property awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to the built environment. See full release here.
   
• The Property Council New Zealand/IPD New Zealand Quarterly Property Index Q3 2015 results have been released. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is optimistic about Labour’s housing reforms announcement made by Housing spokesman Phil Twyford. See full release here.
   
• Property Council strongly supports the Government’s request to review New Zealand’s urban planning system by the Productivity Commission. See full release here.
   
• Property Council has honoured Richard Didsbury as its 2015 Member Laureate for his outstanding contribution to the New Zealand commercial property industry. See full release here.
   
• Property Council strongly supports Productivity Commission’s report into New Zealand’s growing housing problem and urges the Government to implement its findings. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch commends Hamilton City Council in developing its Hamilton Central City Transformation Plan. See full release here.
• Competition is fierce in Property Council South Island’s inaugural Meridian Energy Southern Excellence Awards. See full release here.
• Property Council has launched its residential arm, the Residential Development Council at its Residential Development Summit in Auckland today. See full release here.
   
• Property Council’s Residential Development Summit will explore housing unaffordability in Auckland by looking at its key causes. See full release here.
• Property Council supports new and ambitious projects that will revive Tauranga’s CBD without burdening ratepayers. See full release here.
   
• The independent report by Auckland Council’s chief economist adds to the growing voice of experts calling for urgent intervention in Auckland’s housing supply crisis. See full release here.
   
• Property Council supports Regenerate Christchurch as a vehicle to speed up the Christchurch rebuild. See full release here.
   
• Nominations for Waikato’s highly anticipated We Are Waikato awards are now open. See full release here.
   
• Property Council congratulates Wellington’s property heroes in its inaugural Wellington Property People Awards in partnership with Hawkins Construction and AECOM. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes calls to implement congestion or road toll charges for Wellington’s CBD are a knee-jerk reaction. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch is calling for action to revitalise Hamilton’s city centre. See full release here.
   
• Property Council supports the Government’s announcement on earthquake strengthening buildings with unreinforced masonry. See full release here.
   
• The South Island Branch is excited to present the Greenwood Roche Young Achiever of the Year award, which will provide an outstanding opportunity for a young local talent who will be recognised and celebrated. See full release here.
   
• Hamilton City Council’s return to surplus is commendable but development contributions should not be overly relied upon as a revenue stream to help with balancing the books, according to Property Council Waikato Branch. See full release here.
   
• The Government's 30-year Infrastructure Plan is a great start, but it could go further in addressing funding. See full release here.
   
• Auckland Council must suspend any analysis about future areas of urban land within Auckland's rural urban boundary (RUB) until the Independent Hearings Panel (IHP) has completed its work on the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP). See full release here.
   
• Property Council South Island Branch is delighted to launch its inaugural Southern Excellence Awards in partnership with Meridian Energy. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Wellington Branch is proud to launch its inaugural Wellington Property People Awards. See full release here.
   
• Over the past five years, Australia and New Zealand have experienced a massive change in the range and diversity of modern popular cuisines. See full release here.
   
• Auckland Council and Property Council have welcomed a new report that provides up-to-date information on the feasibility on how many houses could be built under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan (PAUP) based on current market conditions. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is pleased Auckland Council has acknowledged that the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan needs to be more flexible. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is encouraged by Local Government New Zealand’s Funding Review Plan on funding local authorities around the country. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch is pleased with Waipa District Council’s changes to its development contribution charges and is calling for Hamilton City Council to follow its lead. See full release here.
   
• Property Council supports the Government’s commitment to equip the private sector with the confidence it needs to invest in Christchurch’s rebuild. See full release here.
   
• Urgent intervention on the planning system is needed, after a damning draft report from the Productivity Commission on Using Land for Housing. See full release here.
   
• Wellington’s Clyde Quay Wharf development has won accolades in the Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards. See full release here.
   
• A report by the OECD reiterates the importance of heeding Property Council’s warnings on housing supply and infrastructure in Auckland. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes Napier City Council must not fund projects from its reserves or borrow unless they are crucial for the city. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is disappointed with the lack of community support leading to scrapping a proposal for local government reorganisation in Wellington by the Local Government Commission. See full release here.
   
• Property Council believes the identification of approximately 500 hectares of land in four sites in Auckland is proof that the Government is taking the housing crisis seriously. See full release here.
   
• Hamilton can attract more business and investment into the city by charging fair rates, abolishing business differentials and enabling the provision of affordable housing. See full release here.
   
• The Budget 2015 delivers on housing but leaves a gaping hole in earthquake strengthening. See full release here.
   
•  A stronger regional water network with a longer-term focus would be a huge step towards unlocking Waikato’s economy, according to Property Council Waikato. See full release here.
   
• The Property Council New Zealand/MSCI New Zealand All Property Index results show a total return of 11.7% for the year ending March 2015. See full release here.
   
• Property Council strongly supports the Government’s announcement on overhauling the country’s crippling earthquake strengthening rules. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is demanding greater coordination between the Government and Auckland Council to find infrastructure solutions affecting the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 . See full release here.
   
• Property Council supports the Auckland Mayor’s intention to progress the delivery of a comprehensive transport network for Auckland. But the Council must first reach agreement on the funding options with Government. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Wellington Branch is calling for the city to scrap business differentials and replace it with targeted rates. See full release here.
   
• Economic growth and investment must be at the forefront of plans for Tauranga. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes its new National Preident. See full release here.
   
• Property Council South Island Branch is pleased that the Independent Hearings Panel on the Christchurch District Plan has explicitly recognised the importance of private investment in the city. See full release here.
   
• ‘Black box’ development charges in the Waikato need to stop if the region wants to grow, according to Property Council. See full release here.
   
• The Housing and Building Minister’s announcement on overhauling the Resource Management Act, supply, affordability and quality of housing echo the same messages Property Council has been spearheading for years. See full release here.
   
• Auckland house prices will contrinue to be outrageously high if Auckland Council doesn't treat the housing supply shortage seriously in its rulebook. See full release here.

2014

• New research shows commercial property is a major contributor to Waikato’s economy. See full release here.
   
• Commercial Property in New Zealand continues to perform strongly as evidenced by the Property Council/IPD New Zealand’s Property Index results for the quarter ending September 2014. See full release here.
   
• Property Council's annual Operating Expenses Benchmark shows insurance premiums for commercial property in Wellington CBD have more than doubled since 2010. See full release here.
   
• Property Council recognises industry contribution with new member laureate programme. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch’s highly successful ‘We Are Waikato’ Awards has announced its 2014 winners at a ceremony held at Wintec’s The Atrium.  See full release here. 
   
• Nominations for Waikato’s highly anticipated property industry awards have been announced. See full release here. 
   
• Building and Housing, and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith tells Property Council there are fundamental problems with the RMA affecting long-term housing affordability. See full release here.
   
• Property Council strongly supports the Government’s recent statement that insufficient land supply and overly restrictive district plans are the cause of soaring house prices. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is calling for an independent inquiry into Auckland’s major power outage. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes the appointment of new Environment, Building and Housing Minister Dr Nick Smith. See full release here.
   
• Property Council South Island Branch is still deeply concerned about the Christchurch City Council District Plan. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is urging the newly elected Government to prioritise the Resource Management Act reforms following its unprecendented victory on Saturday. See full release here.
   
• Property Council welcomes Inquiry into land supply. See full release here.
   
• Property Council’s recent Infrastructure Think Tank in the Bay of Plenty proved to be a great success. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Waikato Branch has submitted an appeal on the Proposed Hamilton District Plan. See full release here. 
   
• The PCNZ/IPD New Zealand Quarterly Property Index Q2 2014 results show a total return of 11.1 per cent for the year-ending June 2014. See full release here. 
   
• Property Council Wellington Branch strongly supports the proposed Convention Centre for Wellington. See full release here.
   
• Property Council is delighted with the Government’s progress on changing the way development contributions are charged. See full release here.
   
• Property Council Wellington is extremely concerned with the decision to axe the Basin Reserve Project. See full release here.
   
• While there have been some encouraging developments happening in recent times, Hamilton’s city centre like many around the world has been on the decline for many years. See full release here. 
   
• New Zealand’s only event tailored for retail owners and managers has gained unprecedented support. See full release here. 
   
• Property Council Wellington urges Wellington City Council to treat seismic strengthening of heritage buildings with practicality and consideration of owners’ financial constraints. See full release here.