More Builders To Be Licensed In Canterbury

More Builders To Be Licensed In Canterbury

The department of building and housing is to host an expo at Christchurch Boys’ High School tomorrow which will be aiming to add to the numbers of licensed builders assisting in the mammoth task of rebuilding Canterbury in the wake of the September 4 earthquake.

The primary reason for this initiative is to engender confidence among consumers and accountability for builders. In announcing the initiative Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson said. “For owners, using Licensed Building Practitioners means confidence that homes will be repaired right first time,”.

In the aftermath of the 7.1 earthquake over 1,100 builders, designers and other tradespeople have either been licensed already or have current applications  underway. That can be compared to the paltry 165 who were licensed before the earthquake.

 “This Saturday presents an opportunity to push that number even higher, so we have the right people on the ground as demand for quality builders increases.”

Heatley announced that it is the government’s hope to see 1,600 licenses issued in Canterbury by the end of this month.

 “The upswing in the number of people licensed to carry out essential building work means that people are going to be able to get back into their homes faster, and can be confident about quality workmanship.”

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$13 Million Housing Development In Tamaki

$13 Million Housing Development In Tamaki

40 New state homes are to be built in Tamaki in a $13 Million dollar project, Housing Minister Phil Heatley announced today. The new housing estate is part of the redevelopment of the East Auckland suburbs of Glen Innes, Panmure and Point England known as the Tamaki transformation programme.

"The redevelopment plans for Kings Rd involve replacing 15 old and rundown bedsit units with 40 modern units within four individual two and three storey buildings," says Mr Heatley.

"The new units will be lighter, warmer and bigger and have two bedrooms. They are specifically designed for older people, with ground floor units suitable for people with disabilities.

"Through good design the number of units on the site will be more than doubled so that more people in need can enjoy the benefits of good quality affordable housing," Mr Heatley said.  

"This new development makes the best possible use of the available land. We need to be wise about how we tackle redevelopment opportunities to ensure that we get the best value for our resources. Clever design here means the number of homes have been increased from 15 to 40 and they will be much bigger – it’s a win-win," says Mr Heatley.

The initial development, in Kings Road, Panmure, is scheduled to be completed by November 2011. Whilst on site in Tamaki to turn the first sod in the development, the minister also visited state tenants who have had their homes modernized.

"Many of the state homes in Tamaki are over 60 years old and in need of an upgrade to make them warmer and drier. Through the Tamaki Transformation Programme, Housing New Zealand are modernising 120 homes in the area over a three year period," he said.

"This means the tenants will live in insulated homes with decent bathrooms and kitchens. We know that good quality, affordable housing is linked to better health, educational performance, wealth and personal security, and strengthens communities and neighbourhoods."

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New Zealand Laws | 2025 Report Acknowledges Long Term Challenge

New Zealand Laws | 2025 Report Acknowledges Long Term Challenge

Finance Minister Bill English stated in a press release today that the second 2025 Taskforce report shows that the National Government has taken steps to lift New Zealand's sustainable economic growth, but catching up with Australia will be a long-term challenge according to English.

 "Budget 2010 took several steps in that direction – including across the board personal tax cuts on 1 October that narrow the gap in after-tax incomes with Australia," Mr English says.

 "However the report shows just how challenging it will be to catch up to Australia by 2025, especially as we continue to recover from a recession - started under Labour - that Australia never had.

 "Our first step has been to get the economy out of recession and growing again. We've now had five consecutive quarters of growth and we've put in place a broad programme of action, which will provide a platform for future growth.

 “The Taskforce’s report – part of ACT's confidence and supply agreement with National - raises some interesting ideas, which will hopefully generate constructive debate. The Government will consider some of those ideas, alongside the range of other advice we receive, and make practical decisions.

 "However we disagree with the Taskforce report's authors about the ideal speed of reform.

 "History shows that reforms done at breakneck speed tend to be fairly counterproductive. If you don't take the time to convince people of the benefits of change there's a good chance the next government will simply reverse them.

 "We are already moving in some of the directions suggested in the report. As well as cutting personal and corporate taxes, we have put a cap on new Government spending, have put better incentives into the welfare system and are reviewing major regulation.

 "But any changes must meet the tests of fairness and equity, be consistent with our election promises and occur at a sustainable pace.

 "The only way we can permanently lift New Zealand's economic growth is through considered and consistent reform and change, year after year," Mr English says.

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