For commercial property landlords who want to keep up with informed news and commentary there's a newsletter called Commercial Property New Zealand that's worth subscribing to. It's published by Peter Hamling and provides national coverage of the sector. For more info Peter can be contacted on 09 436 1654 or via email: peter@sigma.co.nz

The lead story in the March 10, 2010 issue - '"Super city" model already broken, says North Shore Mayor' - reports on the North Shore Council's submission on the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill.

Commercial Property New Zealand also carries informative news coverage from throughout New Zealand, along with personal profiles and recent commercial property sales information. Subscribe today.

The lead story in the February 24, 2010 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Will the Wellington office bubble burst?' - reports on how Wellington is shaping up as the country's property capital.

The lead story in the January 27, 2010 issue - 'Mixed messages for the year ahead' - reports on the emerging positive and negative trends in commercial property and discusses where the sector is headed in 2010.

For commercial property landlords who want to keep up with informed news and commentary there's a newsletter called Commercial Property New Zealand that's worth subscribing to. It's published by Peter Hamling and provides national coverage of the sector. For more info Peter can be contacted on 09 436 1654 or via email: peter@sigma.co.nz

The lead story in the December 9, 2009 issue - 'A look at the markets - then, now and ahead' - reports on the latest index realeased by the Property Council of New Zealand and information business IPD.

Commercial Property New Zealand also carries informative news coverage from throughout New Zealand, along with personal profiles and recent commercial property sales information. Subscribe today.

The lead story in the November 25, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Plan review has implications for the commercial sector' - reports on the Tauranga District Plan and its potential to affect all owners of residential, commercial and industrial property in the city.

The lead story in the November 11, 2009 issue - 'Councils in the firing line' - reports that two local authorities are under Government investigation related to various performance issues, including processing resource consents.

For commercial property landlords who want to keep up with informed news and commentary there's a newsletter called Commercial Property New Zealand that's worth subscribing to. It's published by Peter Hamling and provides national coverage of the sector. For more info Peter can be contacted on 09 436 1654 or via email: peter@sigma.co.nz

The lead story in the October 14, 2009 issue - 'Slower recovery predicted for the commercial sector' - reports on a predicted rise in construction costs.

Commercial Property New Zealand also carries informative news coverage from throughout New Zealand, along with personal profiles and recent commercial property sales information. Subscribe today.

The lead story in the September 30, 2009 issue - 'Waikato plan sets rules for commercial property' - reports on a new strategy aiming to manage growth across Hamilton City and the Waikato and Waipa districts that includes guidelines for business and industrial land and retail and commercial development.

The lead story in the September 16, 2009 issue of Commercial property New Zealand - 'A slightly refreshing report on the state of the market' - reports on positive signs emerging in the commercial property market.

The lead story in the September 2, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Plan change sought within Britomart precinct' - reports on a plan change application lodged by developer Cooper and Company.

The lead story in the August 19, 2009 issue of Commercial property New Zealand - 'Landlords recognise the woes of struggling retail tenants' - reports on a new commentary on the commercial property market by Colliers International.

The lead story in the August 5, 2009 issue of Commercial property New Zealand - 'Airport hotel venture set for take-off' - reports on the new 260-room international hotel planned to be built alongside the Auckland International Airport terminal.

The lead story in the July 22, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'It won't recover overnight but it will recover' - reports on the current diversity of opinion on the state of the economy.

The lead story in the July 8, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'The economy and passage of the seasons' - reports on the Property Institute's recent annual conference in Auckland. Financial commentator Bernard Hickey and property investor Sir Robert Jones gave their predictions on the economy.

The lead story in the June 24, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Challenging the Government's Auckland reorganisation model' - reports on the concerns expressed by the Hon Peter Salmon QC who chaired the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance.

The lead story in the June 10, 2009 issueof Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Rivalries on the retail front' - reports on a dispute involving two shopping centres in Dunedin.

The lead story in the May 27, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Refunds coming for over-levied development contributions' - reports on the High Court decision requiring the North Shore City Council to refund more than $10 million in development contributions levied since 2004.

Challenging times in the commercial property market

Rental properties across the office, retail and industrial sectors are under siege as vacancy levels increase and landlords succumb to lower returns while meeting the need to provide incentives to sign-up new tenants and retain those already in occupation.

But don’t lay all the blame on the current economic climate, says Peter Scott, CEO of Auckland-headquartered tenant advisory consultancy, Parallel Directions Ltd.

Scott – who has extensive experience in the commercial property sector – says there are other factors in play that suggest as much as 15% of Auckland’s office space is now vacant, though research from some major real estate agencies puts the figure at little more than half that.

He points to two factors distorting the general picture:
•    the amount of space being offered for sub-lease as tenants downsize their space needs – more often than not this space escapes inclusion in statistics
•    the impact of on-line businesses, space sharing and people working from home.

The recession, Scott says, is a short-term trend that is bringing a severe impact on commercial property vacancies. There are many examples of space that is being leased and paid for but not actually being occupied or used – but not being recognised as part of the vacancy statistics.

He says many businesses are downsizing staff numbers and space needs as they cope with the effects of the recession. Further pressure on space needs comes from “hot desking” and staff working in the field or from their homes.

As a global example, Scott points to Government offices in the United Kingdom achieving a 40% reduction in space through desk-sharing. “Fourteen-hour business days over two shifts, also means people miss rush times and provide a spin-off for public transport.”

In Auckland there’s also the pressure of new office buildings coming on-stream, in turn freeing up space in older buildings as companies relocate. “There will have to be sensational deals to get tenants into the older space.”

In fact, what Scott describes as “huge incentives” are already being offered – in some cases as much as six to nine months rent-free and free fit-outs to attract tenants. “Landlords have to respond to their sitting tenants, otherwise they will move to better deals.”

There’s also the impact of the ever-increasing amount of business being done on-line, and the effect this can have on many occupiers of commercial premises, from retail to warehousing, offices and manufacturing.

Scott says the physical space needs of today’s businesses are under pressure. “Creative and strategic thinking can have a major impact on any occupier’s bottom line.”

Parallel Directions Ltd is a commercial property consultancy that represents and advises tenants and owner-occupiers across the office space, retail and industrial property sectors.

Unlike most organisations in the commercial property sector it does not work on behalf of landlords, or both the landlord and the tenant. Nor does it work on a commission basis. It says this eliminates the many conflicts of interest that arise in the property industry.

CEO, Peter Scott, established the consultancy some 12 years ago, after a long and varied career in the financial services industry, including the management of the property portfolio of a major insurance company.

Peter Scott can be contacted on 0-9 520 8022

Website: www.paralleldirections.co.nz

The lead story in the May 13, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Reviewing the review of the RMA' - discusses concerns about the high costs associated with the RMA.

The lead story in the April 29, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Auckland pedestrian count in positive territory' - examines the latest statistics released for retail centres across parts of Auckland, Waitakere and Manukau.

The lead story in the April 15, 2009 issue - 'A weakening demand for industrial land' - reports on the downturn in demand for industrial land in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, reflecting the current general uncertainty in business in New Zealand.

The lead story in the April 1, 2009 issue - 'Council cynical about RMA changes' - reports on the North Shore Council concerns about the Government's attempts to simplify and streamline the Resource Management Act.

The lead story in the March 18, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Getting away from death by a thousand cuts' - reports on Rodney Hide's message to a recent Property Council of New Zealand breakfast and discusses the fact that 'businesses, big and small, are drowning in bureaucracy'.
'Change is going to happen' says Rodney Hide, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Regulatory Reform.

The lead story in the March 5, 2009 issue of Commercial Property New Zealand - 'Property managers come under scrutiny' - reports on the review to be carried out by the Government on what it calls 'the activities of property managers'.

Commercial Property New Zealand also carries informative news coverage from throughout New Zealand, along with personal profiles and recent commercial property sales information.

Commercial Property NZ: February 19, 2009 issue - 'Will local authorities play the new game?' - reveals the first cut of the Government's pledged reform of the resource Management Act - generally to wide approval from affected parties.

Commercial Property NZ: February 5, 2009 issue - 'Will 2009 be a turning point?' - provides some interesting data on the 'remarkably robust' Hawkes Bay commercial investment property market.

Commercial Property NZ: January 22, 2009 issue - 'Greater Christchurch plan under fire' - reveals opposition to the Greater Christchurch urban development strategy.

Once you've got past the novelty aspect of finding your home on StreetView you'll find it's a great tool for checking out potential commercial or residential rental property locations.
Check it out here:
http://maps.google.co.nz/help/maps/streetview/index.html#utm_campaign=en_AU&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en_AU-ha-apac-nz-bk-svn&utm_term=google%20streetview

Commercial Property NZ: December 4, 2008 issue - 'A rough road predicted for many retailers' - covers details of a new assessment of the shopping centre sector carried out by retail Consulting Group.

If you are a real estate agency or property management company utilising the OSL system (REAXML) we can now accept your bulk listings uploads. The OSL system provides for your bulk listings electronic data to be pushed to GetLeased. You'll first need to register with us as a Bulk Listing Client (click on GetListed on the GetLeased website). It costs only $100 +gst per office per month for unlimited lease/rental listings on GetLeased. Please contact us with any questions (click on ContactUs).

Commercial Property NZ: November 20, 2008 issue - 'Opportunities beckon for the cashed-up investor' - reports that despite some nervousness in the commercial property market, buyers are alive and well and there is no shortage of cash.

Keep up-to-date with Business News from TVNZ:
TVNZ News

Commercial Property NZ: - 'The RMA - slash-and-burn or fine-tune?' - reports on a Property Council-sponsored seminar in Auckland where speakers proposed that the Resource Management Act is in need of "unravelling."

Totalspan, part of the Spanbild Group, provides a range of steel buildings and sheds, proving popular with the growing rural and commercial markets.

General Manager Leon Skylakis attributes Totalspan’s success to a number of factors, particularly the professionalism and service levels of the locally owned and operated franchisees.

“We carefully select and train our franchisees to ensure that we have the right people with a service focused attitude and a good local knowledge.  That means that our customers deal directly with local people who have an invaluable understanding of the environment, conditions and local council building regulations.  As a result we can find the best design solution.  We set exceedingly high service standards for our franchisees, our customers will always get prompt and thorough service and should expect nothing less.”

Mark Collins, a local sculptor recently purchased a steel building from Totalspan. “Their attention to detail and workmanship is something that I have shown everyone who has visited and something that I am appreciative of. I sincerely congratulate you on the culture your company has and if there was one stand out thing that your company has done consistently is ‘communication and Customer Care’. Well done” he says.

Farmers, people living on lifestyle blocks and light commercial and industrial businesses have proved a ready market. More and more farmers are taking advantage of the strength of steel, which does not bend or rot like timber.
Totalspan supplies either kitsets or the full service, from planning and design of the building, council consents, site clearance and construction. Totalspan takes care of the entire project.

“Most of our business comes from referrals, which we think is down to the quality of our product and the emphasis we put on making sure the design will suit the customers’ specific requirements. We are able to offer different styles and sizes of building to suit the particular location, as well as configure partition walls when required, making our product flexible and versatile,” says Skylakis.

Totalspan invests heavily in research and development to ensure their designs meet the specific needs of the New Zealand market – many other steel companies use Australian designs.  All Totalspan buildings offer an exclusive 25-year structural guarantee.

Totalspan’s product range includes:
•    Open front farm buildings (for storage of hay, tractors, farm machinery);
•    Closed in gable roofed portal buildings (in various sizes and colour options);
•    Flat roof shelters (ideal for calf rearing sheds, storing large farm machinery);
•    Heritage barns (traditional American barn designed for storage with some having been used for housing);
•    Utility sheds (larger and more durable than a garden shed, designed for quad bikes, mowers, chemicals);
•    Garages (single and double); and
•    Garden Sheds.

Ease of construction and versatility make steel buildings ideal as workshops and warehouses, replacing less adaptable building styles. Until recently, the maximum span available has been 12 metres, but earlier this year the 15 metre span range of portal buildings was released.

The Totalspan 15m span portal building, the largest in the range with leg heights up to 6 metres and bays up to 6 metres wide has a variety of uses within the rural market. The building is suitable to be used for the storage of implements, general storage, storage of hay, packing houses, cow sheds, stock feeding, poultry farms, workshops, aircraft hangars and many other uses.

The buildings are of a portal frame construction – i.e. a clear span. All the construction is from steel, bolted and screwed together. The building differs from other steel buildings on the market as the purlin and girts are manufactured from a Zed shaped section. Totalspan manufactures most of the components for the buildings in its Christchuch based factory and is the only manufacturer in New Zealand of this section. This section has a distinct advantage over other sections used as fewer fixings and brackets are required for assembly. Due to the design of the section, the buildings are also tidier in appearance.

Totalspan steel buildings are a cost effective alternative to ongoing storage costs and combine strength, durability and colour of choice with affordability.

To find out more about Totalspan steel buildings, freephone 0800 TOTALSPAN (0800 868 257), visit our website at www.totalspan.co.nz or check the yellow pages for your local franchise.

Property Managers - here are the great Bulk Listings deals you get on GetLeased and GetRented:
- Unlimited Listings per office.
- $100 +gst per month (3-month package).
- Choice of paying by Credit Card or on Invoice.
- We support most recognised real estate bulk listing software.
- Listing on New Zealand's 'independent' specialist property renting and leasing websites.

Contact us now to discuss Bulk Listing your Residential rentals on GetRented or Commercial rentals on GetLeased.
Contact us here

in-de-pend-ent   -  adjective

Not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion. Thinking and acting for oneself. An independent thinker. Not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous. Not relying on others for aid or support. Not depending or contingent upon a greater group or organisation for existence or operation. Expressive of a spirit of independence; self-confident; unconstrained.

Tenants - Residential or Commercial - tell us what you're looking for in any area of New Zealand and we'll pass it on to our clients. Ed.
Contact us here

A new independent authority is to be set up under legislation passed by Parliament.
Read about it here: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1316907/2058663

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
Mark Twain

The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all, but goes on making his own business better all the time.
Henry Ford

Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.
Bill Gates

'Quality Property Management is a residential property management company in Christchurch. We've been with GetLeased since launch date about a month ago and we're really pleased with how the site is working for us. The GetLeased site is so user-friendly. I can manage all our rental listings on the site. I can add, delete and edit text and photos at will and I can store listings for the next time they're needed. The site is quite fun to use. The real proof of it is that tenants are finding the site on Google and other search engines and they're finding our rental properties. The traffic numbers are good. I recommend the GetLeased website to other rental property managers throughout New Zealand'. Michelle, QPM Chch ('Oh, by the way, check out our listings').

Send in news and views from your area and we'll publish them here. The GetLeased NewsDesk is a place for landlords and tenants to share ideas, compare notes and maybe even have a laugh. Ed.
Contact us here