quote:

---

hi mini
i’m going back to NZ in sept (we need to sort out where we are going to live etc for next year). i will also look at buying some more properties. a friend who is a Kiwi from the North Isand suggested i look at areas such at Wairoa, Hawera (near where you have been buying i think) and also Tokoroa and Huntley. What can you tell me, is there anything special about these areas or are there many places that a just as good?
regards westan

---

Hi Westan,

Your friend may have better insight than me with regards to a few towns you just mentioned, but here is my observation.

Tokoroa is a dump. My folks lived there for 2 1/2 years (purely for business interests), and ever since they have been there, more and more workers are being laid off. Forestry related employment is the key driver of the town, and CHH are continuously laying off employees. You just need to walk through the town and look at the number of vacant shops to see my point.

Huntly is much the same, with similar demographics. It seems that the lack of leadership and foresight in local councils is hurting these once booming economies.

Hawera as I understand has quite a boyant economy, with a strong dairy industry, led by Kiwi Dairy Co-op.

Other areas were I am currently looking are New Plymouth and Te Awamutu. New Plymouth has had a recent economic boom, with foreign investment and overseas projects contributing. I recently spent a few days down there and saw the massive increase in CV’s. Maybe too overpriced in my opinion. A major employer, Methanex, is set too close in a couple of years.
Te Awamutu is a strong dairy farming community. There is big shortage of rental properties. I enquired about a rental there a month ago, and there was only 4-5 2 bedroom, and one 3 bedroom rental available (between 5 RE agents). Not sure on capital growth in this area, but CF properties with low vacancies would be a sure thing.

Good Luck.

Curtis.