Marketwatch
Chris Parker, Auckland Council’s chief economist, is leaving for a job in Treasury.
Parker, who grabbed attention with his analysis on Auckland’s housing issues, was on a fixed term contract while his predecessor Geoff Cooper was studying in the US.
Now Cooper has reportedly resigned and Parker is off to Wellington as a principal advisor to Treasury on housing policy.
With economists thin on the ground in Auckland, a replacement may take some time to find.
Parker gave credit to the council for being able to speak his mind.
‘‘It’s quite an independent role and genuinely so. I always gave my own advice, which is remarkable really because it’s a tough organisation to give that kind of space for a public servant to operate in.’’
It was also a great time to be an economist in Auckland. ’’It’s been fascinating, mainlined into the heart of the biggest issues of the day. And in a high growth area, where a lot of regions in New Zealand are struggling with low or negative growth.’’
Parker’s previous role was as an economic consultant at NZIER in Wellington. He said he was looking forward to returning to old friends, but also to remaining in the housing debate.
‘‘The interesting thing about housing is it’s an indicator of the overall heath of the urban policy system. So that gets into infrastructure, transport, regulation, the construction sector – everything really.’’
AUCKLAND 106 Rosedale Rd, Albany
An 805 sqm commercial office building sold at auction for $2.85m, representing a yield of 7.88 per cent. Sold by Janet Marshall, Matt Prentice and Nick Recordon of Colliers International.
1A & 1B Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington
NZX-listed Rakon’s headquarters has sold for $6,780,357 at a 7 per cent yield. The property has been leased by Rakon since 2005. Sold by Sunil Bhana, Mike Houlker and James Hill of Bayleys.
WELLINGTON 1A Whakatiki St, Upper Hutt
A small investment opportunity with a national tenant has sold for $340,000, giving a yield of 8.32 per cent. The property was returning $28,309pa plus GST. Sold by Paul Cudby and Andrew Smith of Bayleys.
CHRISTCHURCH 780 State Highway 1, Glasnevin
A modern 2,087sqm winery, restaurant and administration building on 14.6243ha of vineyards and pasture in the Waipara region sold for $3.6m at an 8 per cent yield. Sold by Harry van Tongeren and Jeremy Speight of Bayleys.
207 Harewood Rd & 415 Greers Rd, Bishopdale
A 1,328sqm block of land in two composite titles with 330ssqm of 1960s/70s buildings sold for $1.18m at a 7.1 per cent yield. One national tenant Pet Doctors NZ. Sold by Stewart White, Chris Frank and Nick O’Styke of Bayleys.
QUEENSTOWN 106 Gorge Rd
A 610sqm two-level commercial building on a 832sqm site, fully leased to four tenants, sold for $1.76m at a 6.2 per cent yield. Sold by Martin Barwood of Bayleys Queenstown.
Shotover Park
Four industrial sites totalling 4,631sqm have been sold to one buyer for $2,435,000 at $525.8/sqm. Sold by Martin Barwood of Bayleys Queenstown.
DUNEDIN 22-24 Stafford St
Four buildings leased to three commerical and three residential tenants on a 2,012sqm site, with 14 car parks.
It was sold for $630,000 at a 13 per cent yield. Sold by Robin Hyndman of Bayleys Dunedin.