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**westan** · 05-12-2003, 01:04 PM

hi Marc

thanks for the warning.

i remember being told the further north you go the worse it gets, what do people think about this as a generalization

also these problems don't seem to exist in the south Island, is my assesment correct.

thanks westan

**RodC** · 05-12-2003, 04:42 PM

Thanks Marc,

I certainly think you've made a very valid point. It really all comes down to research. My own view is that there's nothing quite like getting on the ground and walking around some of these towns to see what the "feel" is like. I know when I was last there many of the places made a very different impression to that which had been gained over the internet.

regards,

Rod.

**muppet** · 05-12-2003, 06:16 PM

Hi Guys

Welcome to the forum, Westan.

Valid point Rod. It does make a difference when you actually visit places you are interested in.

I see that the valuation of Whangerei is now around $9b and rising.
Mainly because of the movement of Aucklanders northwards.
Also Tauranga has got too expensive and is too far away and with the extension of the Northern motorway to start soon it will be quicker yet travelling north.

Regards

**tamara** · 05-12-2003, 06:27 PM

Westan

I believe that every part of New Zealand will have sociopolitical issues that will need to be considered when purchasing investment properties. I think that it would be a very broad generalisation to limit your search south just because of the issues raised by Marc.

Marc has made a very valid point regarding the nature of due dilligence needing to be undertaken when investing in New Zealand. I think the main point is to make sure that you understand the community you are considering to make your purchase in.

Tamara

**crazysydneydude** · 05-12-2003, 06:48 PM

Hey all this is my first post at this awesome site! Many thanks to people who are helping international investors with tips about avoiding dodgy areas. Can anyone elaborate about the merits of Wanganui?

**cube** · 05-12-2003, 07:44 PM

Welcome, crazysydneydude.

Wanganui has not had much capital gain when other regions/towns around it have (Palmerston North, New Plymouth). It isn't quite a picturesque as New Plymouth, and does have the dynamics of Palmerston North (large Uni campus), but eventually its property must catch up with the others.

Only question is how long....

cube

**Motivstorm** · 05-12-2003, 08:15 PM

Hi, What about Normanby and Hawera, what are your thoughts about them?

**inzvestor** · 05-12-2003, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by westan

i remember being told the further north you go the worse it gets, what do people think about this as a generalization

I wouldn't agree with that statement at all.
There are pockets of land where I would happily live and that have great potential for development.

A lot of money is being brought to the local economy in the far north through Tourism.

In saying this there are places I would never invest or live in (and some I wouldn't even drive through)

The North is still relatively undiscovered as most NZ'ers don't even venture north of the Harbour Bridge !!

**LeanneS** · 05-12-2003, 09:10 PM

Now rough in Aussie or the UK maybe different from what Kiwi's would call rough.

In some areas of NZ rough may mean that there is a gang war going on - maybe between the Black Power and the Mongrel Mob - maybe even the police don’t go near certain areas for fear of their own lives.

I recently sold a place in London which is next to a busstop with a "Witnesses to murder please come forward" sign next to it. The primary school has had playground stabbings and the police travel in vans in packs of 6-8. There was a kidnapping/siege situation last year and parts of the area were cordoned off entirely. A small boy tried to steal my wallet and the threatened to have me arrested for assault when I smacked his hand out of my pocket. Yardie murders are common.

The biggest difference I can see between rough areas of UK and NZ (having discussed this with NZ police, as well) is that yardies keep to themselves (yardie-on-yardie violence only) and Polynesian children tend to be physically bigger than other children.

Note - this is why I sold; I figured any tenant I got was not likely to be worth having a business relationship with. Even several of my buyers were dodgy as hell.

So I disagree that NZ rough is rougher than other countries' rough. However, I completely agree and underline what Marc has said about due diligence.[/quote]

**Marc** · 05-12-2003, 11:57 PM

Hello Leanne!

Very good points!. You have highlighted a lack of understanding on my part on what some areas of the UK can be like. I must admit that I have no real knowledge of the UK rental scene nor of what you have stated as UK rough! Thanks for the information.
I wanted to post my concern at what some overseas investors are doing in NZ - buying up what they consider dirt cheap property but failing to understand what they are getting themselves into in regards to the actual location of the property. You are right Leanne in that it is inconsequential what country you are looking in - its still the same rough!

Best regards

Marc

**westan** · 06-12-2003, 12:08 AM

hi all

Motivstorm, has you received and email recently ??? perhaps a "mini email" (normanby and Hawera)

in regards to my comment about the quality of tenmants up north it was said by a banker in Timaru. so perhaps there is a bit of NI and SI rivalry, but thats the feel i get travelling around also. Thanks Tamara, yes i would base a decision to buy solely on that advice, actually i bought in the NI as well as the south.

Boy wanganui is certainly attracting a lot of interest from Australian investors.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys

regards westan

**RentMaster** · 06-12-2003, 08:23 AM

When you talk abnout rough, I still think NZ is a very good place to live. There are only a few people/areas who bring the rest down. Our police dont carry guns (unless they are the special squad). Kids dont go to school with guns. Murders etc are very rare. A lot of foreigners come to NZ because it is considered a good place to bring up their kids.

To say that the north is bad is again a generalisation. The far north has a reputation for drug plantations and people living in caravans, but places like Whangarei are very nice, and there is some excellent seaside properties which sell for $millions.

As far as buying properties is concerned, due dilligence is vital. As has been pointed out, walking/driving down the nearby streets of where you want to buy will tell you how rough it is. Rough people tend to have rough houses. A rusting car on the front lawn or a 10 foot high fence with barbed wire is a bad sign.

I personally think it is best to purchase more expensive properties in the better areas. You tend to get better tenants, better neighbours, and better capital gains. Sometimes easier said than done though.

My 2c.

**Motivstorm** · 06-12-2003, 09:19 AM

yes westan,

i have recently received a mini email. does anyone knows about those locations and whether there's any rivalry? normanby is a very small argricultural town, so hmmm.... just wondering whether it's in one of those Not worth investing in Areas.

**wada** · 06-12-2003, 06:42 PM

Hi, What about Normanby and Hawera, what are your thoughts about them?

Motivstorm I have several IP's in Hawera (not in Normanby though) and know the area really well as I'm one of the local cops there. If you want any qn's answered about the area on a business and personal point drop me a PM.

For other readers I recommend calling the local cop shop and asking about the 'good' and 'bad' areas. Most are are more than happy to answer these types of questions.

Wada

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