Latest news with #Digitalstream
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Loan Arrears Still A Big Concern For Kiwi Households
Press Release – Digitalstream Arrears on personal loans are also creeping higher. In fact, theyve now exceeded 10% for the second month in a row. While this is partly due to holiday timing (Easter and ANZAC fell at the end of the month), its still a reminder that many Kiwis … Fresh numbers from the May 2025 Centrix Credit Indicator reveal that while some early signs of improvement are emerging in the economy, many Kiwis are still struggling to keep up with their debts — particularly long-term loans. In April, consumer arrears sat at 12.43%, meaning around 483,000 New Zealanders were behind on at least one repayment. That's slightly better than March, but not cause for celebration just yet. More concerning is the number of people who are 90+ days overdue, which has jumped to 83,000, the highest since July last year. Loansmart Managing Director Murray Greig says, 'this is a clear sign that many households are still stretched thin and finding it tough to bounce back.' Mortgage Arrears Show Slight Improvement There is a little bit of good news. Mortgage arrears dropped to 1.49% in April, which means fewer home loan holders are falling behind. That's 1,400 fewer past-due mortgages than the previous month. But dig a bit deeper and the picture's still mixed. Long-term home loan delinquencies (90+ days overdue) are up 5% year-on-year, and missed payments in the 30–59 day bracket are up 6%, suggesting some Kiwis are on shaky ground even if they haven't fully defaulted yet. Personal Loans: A Growing Pressure Point Arrears on personal loans are also creeping higher. In fact, they've now exceeded 10% for the second month in a row. While this is partly due to holiday timing (Easter and ANZAC fell at the end of the month), it's still a reminder that many Kiwis are relying on short-term borrowing to get by. When it comes to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, arrears remain stuck at 8.7%, unchanged from last year – but still very high. What It All Means Even though short-term arrears are trending down, long-term arrears are clearly on the rise. That's a red flag. When people can't catch up after missing a payment or two, debt can quickly spiral out of control. It's not just a financial burden – it becomes a massive stressor on everyday life. Loansmart Managing Director Murray Greig says, 'We're seeing more Kiwis quietly slipping into long-term debt without a clear way out. That's where smart solutions really matter.' A Debt Consolidation Loan Could Be Your Way Forward If you're juggling multiple debts and falling behind, a debt consolidation loan can be a smart move. It rolls all your existing debts – personal loans, credit cards, even BNPL – into one simple loan, with one regular repayment and a potential drop in total interest costs. Key Benefits: One affordable repayment Lower interest rates Less stress, more control Help to improve your credit score over time With interest rates starting from 9.95%, Loansmart provides fast, fair and flexible options to help you get ahead. Let's Make a Plan Together At Loansmart, we've helped thousands of Kiwis regain financial confidence since 2008. We don't just offer loans – we offer solutions. And we'll work with you to find the smartest one. 3-minute application Approval in as little as 1 hour* Same-day payout options* Want to see how much you could save? Use our loan calculator, or chat with our friendly team for a free, no-obligation loan assessment. *Subject to responsible lending checks and criteria.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Fairview At 25: A Celebration Of Community And Care
Press Release – Digitalstream In 2000, John and Mary Gardner were appointed as village managers just as construction began. For the first few years, they were the heart of Fairview – handling everything from sales and security to cooking and care. From its humble beginnings as a muddy construction site – so sticky it earned the nickname 'Albany Gold' – Fairview Villiage has grown into one of the North Shore's most cherished lifestyle communities. In those early days, gumboots were a must, and navigating the construction was part of daily life. 'They were good days. It was wonderful. Looking back, some of our fondest memories were from those days when the village was just starting up and we all got into a lot of mischief.' recalls Mary. Even then, it wasn't just about the buildings, it was about the people and the spirit of community they created together. The Early Days: Foundations in Clay and Heart In 2000, John and Mary Gardner were appointed as village managers just as construction began. For the first few years, they were the heart of Fairview – handling everything from sales and security to cooking and care. 'We were everything in those days,' John says. 'Office staff, security staff, sales, cook, show producer.' They lived on site in a homestead that served as both their home and the village lodge. It wasn't glamorous – the site was difficult to navigate due to the remote location. As Mary remembers, visitors would often say it was 'too far out in the sticks,' worried they'd be isolated. 'I can remember the words one of the owners said to me, he said, Mary, one day this village will be in the centre of Albany.' Today, that prediction has come true. Plays, Pranks and Camaraderie: The Fun of the Early Years Bev Barnes, 96 years and a founding resident remembers those early days with great fondness. 'In the early days, even though we had few people here, we knew everybody else and we always worked out things to have fun with – we were resourceful.' 'It was mud, builders, mud, and we all had to have gumboots.' 'When a new resident came in, I was always on the welcoming committee. That was my job, making them feel they weren't on their own.' Mary and John weren't just managers—they were the glue that held the community together. 'Mary and John initially, because they were everything—salespeople, managers, nurses. Often cooks, they put on all the initial entertainment.' John was known for his wild sense of fun. ' John's a very—he was a very—what would you say—he's a person who wanted to have fun and I liked to start the fun. I was quite mischievous in the early days so I joined in. I still could be if given the chance!' 'John used to put on mad, mad plays and we had Stalag 21 in production one time—and I was a German guard. The costumes were incredible. All made by Mary. It was such a funny play. It was quite like Monty Python.' 'Every April Fool's Day we knew John would come up with something (a prank) and you never knew what it would be.' 'And the care was always personal'. Laying the Foundations of a Special Village From the very beginning, it was the people – not just the buildings – that made Fairview special. In John and Mary Gardner, along with residents like Bev Barnes, the village found its earliest champions. Together, they laid the foundations of a community infused with care, fun, and laughter. John and Mary brought dedication and heart to every task, from hosting dinners to providing entertainment. Residents like Bev Barnes, who moved in back in 2002, brought their own energy too. A former school principal and competitive hockey player, Bev helped form the first residents' committee, hosted bingo nights, and starred in John's plays Building a Village, Building a Community This spirit of care and fun created a culture that continues today—a place where everyone feels at home from day one. Their legacy isn't just in stories; it's in the culture that lives on today. The community they helped build still thrives – a place where people look out for one another and joy is found in the little moments shared. The physical village slowly took shape – villas, community spaces, and gardens all emerged from the mud – but it was the people who truly built Fairview A Night to Celebrate 25 Years On Wednesday 25 June, residents came together for a very special dinner in honour of Fairview's 25th anniversary. Chef Noris and the Relish Café team served a three-course meal, including poached salmon à la salsa verde and wine-braised beef medallions. Traditional date pudding with butterscotch sauce rounded out the night. The dining room was beautifully decorated, and residents arrived dressed for the occasion. Music by Jim Joll filled the air as speeches reflected on Fairview's journey and enduring spirit. No anniversary at Fairview would be complete without a cake by Mary Gardner. For this milestone, she designed one that wove together past and present—combining the original sunflower logo and the current leaf motif with her signature handcrafted flowers. It was a beautiful tribute to how far the village has come. Still a People Place At 96, Bev Barnes still paints, reads, plays the piano, and takes part in village life. She describes Fairview as 'a warm, caring place to be.' When surgery left her unable to drive, her neighbours Jim and Natalie stepped in, and five years later, they still help with her shopping. 'This is a people place,' she says. 'Each home is a home. Right from the word go, I said to my children, 'I've done the right thing.'' John and Mary now live at Fairview themselves, enjoying the very lifestyle they helped to build. 'Living in Fairview as a resident has been marvelous, ' Mary says. 'Just as we promised to all those who moved here.' Looking Ahead Fairview has changed over the past 25 years, but its heart remains the same. It's a place shaped by its people, built on laughter, friendship, and care. And if you ask those who helped lay the first bricks or stirred the first pot of soup, they'll tell you: the best part of Fairview isn't the buildings. It's the feeling of belonging that's grown here. As Mary puts it simply, 'Our hopes for Fairview are that it stays just as it is.' Why 25 Years Matters When Choosing a Village Fairview's 25-year journey isn't just a milestone, it's a reminder of the quiet strengths that come with an established village. While newer retirement villages may dazzle with their modern fit-outs, there's something deeply reassuring about walking into a place where the community is already thriving. Mature gardens, established trees, and park-like grounds offer a sense of peace and timeless beauty Wide walkways, open-plan homes, and generously spaced communal areas create comfort and ease of movement A culture of care and connection has been nurtured over decades – not invented overnight The truth is, choosing a retirement village isn't like booking a hotel—it's choosing a home. And once the initial excitement of something new fades, what will make the biggest difference day-to-day is how the place makes you feel. So many Fairview residents have said they knew immediately that this was the right place for them. There's a pull, an unspoken warmth, and a sense of belonging that's hard to define—but easy to recognise. When it comes to retirement living, the unseen things often matter most. As one resident put it, 'This is a people place. It's a place where people care.' That's the kind of home Fairview has been for 25 years—and continues to be today.
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
From Shortages To Choice: Davies Homes Welcomes A Market Reset For New Builds
Press Release – Digitalstream While the broader market remains subdued, Davies Homes is building for a diverse audience from high-end custom homes to investment properties and first-home buyers. After years of post-COVID disruption, runaway material costs, and long lead times, the building industry in the Waikato is experiencing a welcome shift — and Davies Homes says the current conditions are ideal for well-planned new home construction. 'Right now, everything's lining up in favour of new builds — pricing, availability, and quality,' says Daniel Davies, founder of Davies Homes. 'Subcontractors are more accessible, lead times are manageable, and product options have never been better.' A Shift from Panic to Planning During the housing boom, material shortages and long wait times forced compromises. Now, the pressure has eased. 'Back then, we were constantly substituting materials just to keep projects moving,' Davies explains. 'Today, clients can make decisions based on preference — not desperation.' Costs for key components like timber decking and steel have also come down, while manufacturers have released improved claddings, flooring, and energy-efficient products. Buyer Confidence Returns The fear-of-missing-out mentality has given way to thoughtful planning. Land is no longer snapped up in panic, and buyers can work through scenarios with more clarity. 'It's a buyer's market in terms of mindset,' Davies says. 'People have the breathing space to make the right decisions — and avoid buyer's remorse.' 'People are taking the time to do their homework. We've got clients from all walks of life — from investors to multigenerational farmers — and they're looking for quality and long-term value.' While the broader market remains subdued, Davies Homes is building for a diverse audience — from high-end custom homes to investment properties and first-home buyers. 'We're seeing demand across the board,' says Davies. 'We are building homes from 175 sqm to 775 sqm.' Lending Competition Opens Doors The financial side has also seen a shift. While some buyers still face hurdles, competition among banks is making it easier to secure funding. Davies notes 'We're seeing cashback offers and special low-interest loans — sometimes as low as 1% — for energy-efficient upgrades like solar, water tanks, and insulation. If you structure things properly, you can really make the numbers work.' Skilled Subcontractor Shortage Ends A significant shift in the current construction market is the increased availability of skilled contractors — a change that's proving especially valuable for builders like Davies Homes, who rely on a loyal network of highly experienced tradespeople. During the building boom, the most talented subcontractors were often stretched thin 'Whether it's a 175 sqm starter home or a 775 sqm estate, every project gets the same top-tier tradespeople,' says Davies. 'And that's the beauty of building right now. With contractor availability back to normal, clients can access the best of the best, no matter the size or spec of their build.' Looking Ahead With supply stabilised, costs easing, and clients once again able to build on their own terms, Davies Homes believes this market reset is long overdue. 'If you want to build well, with confidence, and without the chaos — now's the time,' says Davies. 'You have access to better products, better pricing, and the freedom to plan properly — without pressure.'
