Waikanae Community Market is back
I have been fortunate lately to hear the views of three prominent economists regarding the world that we will live in after Covid-19. The surprising conclusion I found in every case is that they appear to agree on the same analyses.
The common thread is that “we have never seen anything like this, and there is nothing to compare against”. The prompt actions of the Government in going “hard and fast” at the Coronavirus were universally praised, and the feeling was that we could have been a lot worse off if not for the speed of action.
Three months later, we have all changed somewhat, and so have our businesses. The rental property industry, for example, has had the rules changed about tenancy terminations (albeit temporarily) and rent increases (frozen for six months). Tenants are cautious, and some are changing their minds about a new property before they get to sign a tenancy agreement. Future job security is a widespread concern and staying put for at least the next three months with the same rent is more of “the devil you know” than a new home at a higher rent. Indeed, the market itself appears to be softening. Raising the asking rent between tenancies may leave the property sitting idle for a while.
The Ka¯ piti rental market is as tight as I have seen in recent years. There is a severe shortage of homes for rent throughout the Ka¯ piti Coast. This would normally result in higher rents. However, we are now dealing with the “new normal”. We’ve seen nothing like this before! Stability is everything, and growth is what we aspire to.
The Waikanae Community Market is back in business.
The market, which resumed on Saturday, had closed during lockdown and then there was a wait until market organiser Helen Amey got approval to turn it into an incorporated society.
“With the support of the Ka¯ piti Coast District Council, we've worked hard to make sure the market operates safely and in line with the necessary regulations, and we're looking forward to reestablishing social connections and adding to the vibrancy of the Waikanae weekend scene.
“We have really valued the financial and active support of the Waikanae Community Board to enable this to happen.
“From fresh fruits and vegetables to coffee, bacon and egg sammies, china and collectables the market has something for everyone and our stallholders are 100 per cent committed to doing their bit to making sure the Waikanae Community Market continues to thrive.”
Ka¯ piti Coast District Council parks and recreation manager Alison Law said council welcomes the moves Amey had made to establish the market as an incorporated society, with the support of the Waikanae Community Board, and ensure the market and stallholders met their obligations. “We acknowledge the important role our district's markets play in connecting communities and fostering entrepreneurship. We have some fantastic smaller traders and growers and Ka¯ piti and we are pleased to have been able to work with Helen to help stallholders understand and meet their responsibilities and provide certainty over the market's continued operation at park.”
Waikanae Community Board deputy chairwoman Jill Griggs said, “The Saturday morning market is a Waikanae institution that not only brings locals together but attracts visitors from far and wide and the community board is pleased to have been able to support Helen to get the market back up and running in a format that locals love.”
The market operates every Saturday from 8am until 12 noon at Waikanae Park.