It is internationally recognised that the construction industry is facing a major crisis due to a combination of falling productivity, rising costs, and lack of skilled labour. The Economist recently reported that productivity in the American construction industry has fallen by a staggering 50% since the 1960s. While other countries haven’t experienced such a drastic slump, in France and Italy productivity has fallen by around 16% in the last twenty years, and Germany and Japan have had almost negative growth. (more…)

An Omen?

This season’s final of The Block NZ  felt like a bad omen for the property market, particularly in Auckland. According to data just released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, Auckland’s property market might just be slowing. It shows that Auckland house prices fell by 2.9% in August when compared to the same month last year, making it one of only four regions that experienced a decrease in value (the others being Gisborne, Tasman and the West Coast). (more…)

The 2017 General Election is this weekend, and with just days to go, many experts are saying the result is too close to call. Regardless of which party forms the next government, there are likely to be changes in the wind for business owners. (more…)