Researchers have delivered us a double whammy about how badly we are using office space in New Zealand. And it’s got me worried.

Colliers researchers have found that premium office space in Auckland is costing around $10,000 per staff member. Although these staff may be working in open plan areas, the number of breakout rooms, meeting rooms and other spaces has pushed the space being used per person way over the top.

By my reckoning, a sensible cost per staff member (more…)

Over the past few years I’ve written a number of times about the Australian influence on the New Zealand property market. First it was, “The Aussies are coming”. Then it was, “The Aussies are here”. And most recently, “The Aussies are here and they are us”.

And today, with the oversupply of commercial rental office space and residential high rise space, they are struggling for good returns the same as everyone else.

Let me give you a snapshot…   (more…)

Just a couple of years ago, the headline above would have made absolutely no sense to anyone. In fact even today, a great number of people would still think it is gobbledegook. But the world is moving fast and what is one day a word or term that only makes sense to geeks, can almost overnight become everyday language.

We now “Google” things, and “Facebook” people rather than research things or write letters, and suddenly we are accustomed to it.

So let me explain today’s heading…

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People often ask me what’s going on in the commercial rental property market. They’re all keen to hear the real oil, so I thought I would run through some current trends and some predictions.

I must as always qualify this by saying that there will always be exceptions to the rule and while these are broader trends, the situation will always vary on a property by property basis.

The current market is undergoing a double whammy experience of… (more…)

The phrase “green shoots” has really taken hold as optimism about an economic recovery increases. It’s a great turn of phrase that has captured the imagination and there are definitely signs of recovery in some quarters. But I believe we still a need a few seasons before (more…)

A government select committee has this week started to listen to submissions on Auckland’s governance and how people view the plans and legislation for a Super City.

It is going to be fascinating to see the impact it will have on the region once the changes are implemented.

In the commercial property lease market, the way the councils throughout the region are reorganised could have a range of impacts. (more…)

Since time began, cities around the world have offered the allure of seeking and making your fortune. Great world cities such as London, New York, Hong Kong and Sydney still hold that promise for many. (more…)

I’ve been posting this blog for well over a year now, and I’d like to think we give readers a good heads-up on trends in the property lease market, as well as some insights into how the market works behind the scenes.

So it was interesting for me this week to take some of this expertise into the mainstream news media as a commentator on TVNZ’s business programme: NZI Business June 5: Renters’ market for office space

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I love it when great ideas collide, offering far reaching solutions.

One such idea I just came across was the concept of a 14 Hour Working City from James Calder reflecting on new solutions for efficiency in London. (more…)

When it comes to leasing property, size is starting to really count.

It has always been prudent to lease just the right amount of space that you need, and if you were confident of growth, you might, as with a growing child, perhaps take on a size to grow into. (more…)

The term downsizing is a relatively new jargon word in the English language. And it is one that always has a negative connotation. To most people it means something is going to be lost; a job, a product or service, or space.

When it comes to downsizing space in a workplace, nine times out of ten it (more…)