N.Z. ‘not a big subdivision’

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 14

N.Z. ‘not a big subdivision’

PA Auckland Real-estate agents must start to understand that New Zealand is not just one big subdivision, according to the president of the New Zealand Law Society (Mr L. H. Southwick Q. C.). He told the annual meeting of the Auckland district of the Real Estate Institute that cities like Auckland and Christchurch had reached a point where further growth would require very expensive new services. Greater emphasis had to be placed on the use of existing houses and high-er-density development and redevelopment in urban areas.

Existing houses were not being fully used as a resource. The National Housing Commission had said that more than 40,000 householders would move to smaller homes if the market made it possible. "Young families find it hard to finance older properties and this does not help potential sellers who want smaller dwellings,” said Mr Southwick. “They are compelled to move to new subdivisions, while

older people are left with large houses which become- both a physical and financial burden. This situation could be eased by completely removing the ‘new house’ lending condition.”

Mr Southwich suggested that real estate agents should place more emphasis on the conservation, rehabilitation, and renewal of existing buildings. This would need changes in lending policies and flexibility in the allocation of finance to local authorities.

Another option was to encourage methods of construction which would enable rooms to be added or removed from a house as accommodation needs changed.

“Tl»e availability of housing must become an increasingly important aspect of regional-devel-opment policies.” said Mr Southwick. “The Government, in its housing role, should concentrate on res earch and experimentation of new designs. The total aim should be to reduce resource wastage and increase the range of housing options.”