The Star: January 27, 2022

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The Star Thursday January 27 2022 6 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Market still bullish • From page 1 “Some of us think declines are highly likely and that these could be significant; others are more sanguine,” he said. “What there is agreement on is that the market does look more vulnerable today than it has for a long time.” A survey of mortgage advisers conducted by economist Tony Alexander on behalf of mortgages.co.nz released this week showed most mortgage brokers were reporting fewer investors and first-time buyers, as well as a reduced willingness by banks to lend. Several New Zealand banks are expecting house prices to fall this year, with BNZ forecasting a drop of more than 3 per cent this year, with a smaller drop in 2023. Bayleys Canterbury general manager of sales Rachel Dovey agreed increasing interest rates and tougher scrutiny by banks during the loan approval process could soften the market. However, the market was still bullish, and likely to remain so deep into 2022. “There’s too many positives going on. Employment is high here. You only have to look at our construction and building sector. There’s really good employment, that’s one of the drivers why people are moving from other regions,” she said. “While those things are in play that holds your market. If there was high unemployment it’d be a different story. We’ve got too many good constants in our favour. “Interest rates could cut some buyers out, but small increases won’t bottom out the market. Apart from that it’s quite hard to see where those falls would come from.” Dovey would not be surprised if prices flattened out in Auckland, but property values in Christchurch and the Canterbury region should continue to thrive. “I think we’ve probably got a little way to go yet. Our campaigns and auctions are up around 50 per cent on the year prior. There’s really good momentum even though we’ve gone into red (traffic light setting),” she said. “We’ve seen quite a lot of people moving down here from around New Zealand and it’s hard to see that momentum won’t continue.” “If you look at areas like Selwyn there’s been so much development. A lot of sections and house packages have really created another market.” —NZ Herald RAID: Police enter a Rangiora printing business where a signwriter has allegedly been making fake vaccine passes. PHOTO: KURT BAYER Signwriter accused of making vaccine passes • By Kurt Bayer POLICE HAVE swooped on a Canterbury signwriter who has allegedly been making fake vaccine passes. Officers yesterday raided the printing and graphics business, which operates out of a shed at the rear of the property on Rangiora’s Ashley St. It’s understood one person has been arrested. Local resident Peter David Solvander has been named by Stuff as the man accused of making fake passes. A sign on his front fence says “Stand up New Zealand!”. He allegedly told a Stuff reporter, who was given a fake vaccine pass, that he was doing it so people could “see their loved ones”. In October 2020, Solvander’s son James Harrison Solvander, 33, was jailed for more than five years over the death of a father who died while out biking with his daughter during the first Coronavirus nationwide lockdown. Drugged driver Solvander crashed into Clint Hoeben, 48, and his daughter, 14, as they cycled near Fernside in North Canterbury on April 2, 2020. Hoeben was killed and his daughter suffered minor injuries. – NZ Herald CHRISTMAS BARGAINs Save over $100m York Street By Feltex Carpets. 100% New Zealand Wool carpet, extra heavy duty contemporary natural sisal look, one outstanding natural colour. Export overruns. Unbelievable value, $129m (that’s $35.25m 2 ) Only while stocks last Turn everyday essentials into SuperGold Autex Pin Board Here’s a great idea for the kids’ room, or family notice board, Autex Vertiface Composition Pin Board, we have numerous ends of rolls 1.2m wide and huge variety of colours. Out they go at $39m 2 Only while stocks last. Commercial quality vinyl planks. Exceptional value and two great colours in stock now, Harper Oak and Zane Oak. Normally planks of this quality sell for $59.00m 2 . Kenzie Our price $29.95m 2 Only while stocks last. PLUS MUCH MORE INSTORE 47 Gasson Street • Ph 353 8899 • Hours: 8.30am-5pm Mon-Fri www.theflooringwarehouse.co.nz Find all the ways you could stretch your money further. Visit www.supergold.govt.nz or download and check the SuperGoldNZ app. SG_180x130_glasses
Thursday January 27 2022 The Star IT’S A THANKLESS task often subject to a time limit, so the city council needs regular recruiting drives to replace parking compliance officers who have been subject to abuse. To maintain a staff of 25 in the unpopular role, the city council has revealed it must recruit up to three times a year as compliance officers tire of verbal and occasionally physical altercations with members of the public. A nationwide survey of threatening incidents involving officers indicated the city’s staff fared relatively well, though that was no consolation for the city council’s transport Thomas operations manager Steffan Thomas. “Serious incidents resulting in injury are very rare but parking compliance officers do experience incidents of abuse and assault from time to time,” he said. “The council takes very seriously any abuse of, or assault on, our parking officers and all incidents are reported to police.” Thomas, who identified outside schools and areas of shopping malls as high risk areas, cited one example where an electric scooter was pushed into an officer by a member of the public. Another officer was injured when they were forced off balance and fell. Between February 2020 and December 2021, the city council recorded 39 instances of abuse, four assaults, and two cases of harassment. On one occasion an officer filmed an intimidating incident Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Abuse takes toll on parking officers • By Chris Barclay Steffan THREATS: The recruitment of city council compliance officers takes place two or three times a year as they tire of verbal and physical altercations. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN while a the occupants of a car slowly drove down a street very close to them. Officers are equipped with body cameras to record incidents while they also receive conflict resolution and situational safety training. “Staff are provided with workplace support and can access counselling if it is required,” Thomas said. Asked if staff turnover was high, Thomas said they recruit about two or three times a year. The city council’s longestserving officer has been on the job for 33 years, though that was an anomaly. Elsewhere in New Zealand, there had been a significant increase in the number and severity of assaults on officers in Wellington since the first Covid-19 lockdown last year. “This has had an effect on the overall turnover of staff in the last 10-12 months as people decide that coming to work just to be verbally abused every day is no longer rewarding,” a city council spokesman said. Hamilton City Council reported a 65 per cent increase in incidents of anti-social behaviour against staff when comparing the 2018/19 financial year to the most recent. “We have observed a noticeable increase in verbal abuse over the past year, and nearmisses experienced by wardens crossing at signalised pedestrian crossings,” said acting city transportation unit manager Robyn Denton. In Dunedin a city council spokesperson said one officer was elbowed by a member of the public, while another had the comment “I hope you die,” yelled at them. – Additional reporting New Zealand Herald NEWS 7 Rise in number of noise complaints THE CITY council is asking party organisers to be mindful of their neighbours as it deals with a significant rise in noise complaints. In November and December 2021, the city council received 3022 noise complaints – 645 more than it received in the same two months in 2020. “One of the factors contributing to the increase in noise complaints is that more social events are taking place in people’s homes,’’ city council head of regulatory compliance Tracey Weston said. “With traditional entertainment venues only able to host limited numbers and many large events and concerts cancelled, people have been opting to party at home. That has led to an increase in the number of noise complaints coming through to us.’’ Weston says many of the complaints could be avoided if people organising parties follow these guidelines: •Let neighbours know beforehand and stick to an agreed finish time. •Control the music level and move everyone inside after 10pm. •Avoid large gatherings of people outdoors. • Remind guests to leave quietly. free CONSULTS At Better Denture we have a range of services and options available. New Dentures > Relines > Repairs > 6 Brynley St, Hornby, Christchurch Phone: 03 349 5050 www.betterdenture.co.nz HEAT PUMP SALE NOW ON! Amazin’ sUMMER Specials!! 80% SubSidy Warmer KiWi HomeS Programme *Eligibility criteria apply • We will offer you the best quality brands and option of heat pump for your home/business • Providing Heat Pump solutions for over 19 years to Cantabrians • We personally guarantee all our products & installs for 5 years (providing annual maintenance has been completed) Phone us today for your free consultation & quote 41A SHAKESPEARE RD, WALTHAM PHONE 03 366 0525 www.enviromaster.co.nz “A local team for local people”
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The Star: January 27, 2022

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