New Zealand (NZ) stories
New safety rules will let building sites reopen under Alert Level 3, helping protect workers and avoid a return to stricter lockdowns.
Small firms face months of cashflow pain as the wages subsidy runs thin and landlords and utilities keep billing during lockdown.
WorkSafe New Zealand says Level 3 firms must set out how they will protect staff and visitors, or face enforcement action.
Landlords face stricter eviction rules during the lockdown, as tenants must be 60 days in arrears before Tribunal action can begin.
Construction firms now have detailed COVID-19 rules to resume work under Alert Level 3, aiming to protect workers and avoid a return to lockdown.
First-home buyers could face lower deposit hurdles as the Reserve Bank weighs scrapping mortgage loan-to-value rules for a year.
Workers returning to sites after lockdown face added risks from inactivity, mental strain and social distancing, says NZISM President Greg Dearsly.
Retailers, couriers and cafes could see demand rebound sharply, with most New Zealand adults expecting to return once restrictions ease.
Construction jobs and council investment could restart quickly, as Auckland submits 73 infrastructure projects for the Government’s stimulus list.
Businesses reopening at alert level three must assess COVID-19 risks, consult staff and document safety plans before resuming operations.
Transaction volumes are expected to fall sharply after lockdown, with weaker demand and limited listings likely to push prices lower.
Jobs and cashflow are under pressure as New Zealand's construction sector braces for a slow restart after lockdown.
Hundreds of millions in rent and project revenue are at risk as New Zealand's commercial property sector warns of wider economic damage.
Lockdown has forced Invercargill Central to push back its planned opening, complicating talks with Farmers and bank financing for the project.
Cashflow support and clearer contract rules could help keep builders employed and speed New Zealand's economic recovery after the lockdown.
New Zealand property owners are being urged to avoid panic decisions, as low rates and support measures may help cushion the lockdown fallout.
Routine fire safety checks are being paused in New Zealand as lockdown rules limit work to urgent tasks protecting health, safety and essential services.
COVID-19-driven revenue losses could force councils to cut infrastructure spending, hurting local economies and slowing recovery.
Online property searches have surged as lockdown restrictions curb listings, while average asking prices in March still rose 5% year on year.
One-third of construction jobs are at risk as firms brace for insolvencies and shift training and services online to survive the lockdown.
