Stories

If you’re looking for some professional commentary in the real estate market refer to the latest monthly report from Vanessa Taylor from "www.realestate.co.nz" (HERE), and also read anything Tony Alexander puts out (HERE). I follow him on LinkedIn but there are other sites with his always sage advice.

As to the local situation ….Here goes ….

How am I finding this lockdown in Real Estate mode? Frankly It’s a bit of a breather and an opportunity to upskill. I’ve given my team the weekends off but during the week we are continuing to work, although I have let them sleep in!! The company is still operating, but working from home. Listings are being processed (by email), AML can still be completed, the LIM and Property File departments at Council are still processing these (within a very short time frame), the banks and our mortgage brokers are working, valuers are still working as much as they can.

Titles are coming through for us to check as well, thankfully our legal peers are working to process anything we need from them. Properties that were in the pipeline are going unconditional. Our main hold up is building inspections so any contracts written up. Yes some moving dates have had to be pushed out but in the main the solicitors are dealing with those issues.  

So, the phone is pretty quiet BUT the internet is going ballistic!!! Viewing numbers have increased 5 fold and the “watchers" are through the roof. So I expect there will be pent up activity immediately post the Lockdown. In this area of the Eastern Beaches suburbs we still are suffering from a shortage of good property to sell and a large pool of buyers in every price bracket and schooling zones (which is one of the main drivers of buyer movement in this area). I liken the situation a little to the Christmas close down. Of course people are still making real estate decisions  i.e. “house is too big ..house is too small ..I’m sick of this do up lets move or renovate ..let’s buy a do up we’ve finished this one ". Also those with shares may think next I’ll  invest in bricks and mortar, others will sell investment properties to cash up and sadly some relationships won’t last past the lockup time! 

After leaving Level 4 we will probably be running almost from the outset, might take a week or two to readjust to our daily routine. Yes strong demand plus low interest rates will ensure it’ll be business as usual pretty soon. Noticeable changes already include first home buyers being impacted as their Kiwi Saver values drop, this may mean those buyers will need to hunker down, waiting until markets improves. However others may take a punt and buy whilst the market is in a state of uncertainty. I wonder how long that will take?? It was only 6 months during the GFC.

Marie

Sunday evening 5 April

 Easter Greetings to all.  

Well these events will certainly make 2020 a year which will long be remembered. Hopefully all of you and your families are well and coping with the limitations being placed on our lives.

Some of us are lucky(?) enough to be still working from home (and hoping our clients/customers will have funds to pay us in due course). For others working from home is a new experience and hopefully you are still being paid. Some may not be so lucky unable to work and having to amuse yourselves to while away the time but getting some funds to exist on. Yet others who have no job and having to exist on the generosity of Work and Income. Those on pensions – well you were born lucky eh!.  

Whatever your circumstances don’t let it worry you in silence. Irena Giles is our almoner (tazo@xtra.co.nz) Mob 021-393-936  Res 576-2553. You will not be the only ones in our Club going through your experience. By the time you read this we may know whether the lockdown is to be extended or lowered a level. On the lighter side feel sorry for those of our membership who have water views and are in walking distance of the sea – no swimming, boating etc!!

For those of you planning to break the rules you could spend time writing to the Department of Justice for a certificate  which says you spent x days on Home Detention and when you get sentenced to HD you can say to the Judge “Please your Honour ……..”

Covid-19 by numbers.

It is all about the numbers! Some of us watch the News Conferences at 1 p.m and 3 p.m on NZTV One and are given the figures for the virus with no relationship to anything else. NZ has had 1 death due to the virus (although there were other issues as well.) According to the figures available on the Net NZ has approximately 34,000 deaths a year (2020 Rate) i.e 94 deaths per day on average. We have had 11 days (to Sunday 5th of Lockdown. That means 1034 people have died since the Lockdown started on 25 March. Scoreboard NZ "1034" Covid19 "1".  Perhaps we have been lucky. There was no mention of this figure.

Figures for Italy and Spain are quoted at about 700 to 800 deaths per day. We assume they are virus related and announced with such seriousness we are led to believe it is coming after us.   Daily deaths for Italy  1,765  Spain 1,180. 

In 12 months or so we will get a better idea. There should be a noticeable blip in the graph showing deaths over the last 70 years.  The death rate from the virus(?) in the USA 3,500 to date (not sure about the days). USA has 8,053 deaths per day  per day!

The figures quoted in NZ are Cases actual (advised or aware of) Number suspected, Number recovered, Number in hospital, Number in ICU (Intensive Care Units) Deaths. The numbers are not comparative. We should be told of the number of Cases to which the recoveries relate.

Apart from Italy about 4% of the cases result in death and because of the skewed comparison it is likely to be higher in the wash up may be 5-6%.

Hope that gives you some context next time you watch the televised News Conference. Pay particular attention to what Jacinda says from Conference to Conference and when a politician fronts with someone from a Department.

Enjoy your Easter.

Terry

At Sealink our life has been re-defined in dramatic fashion. We have had armed police turn up to pull people in a stolen car off the ferry and a number of call outs where people have been somewhat strident in their demands to travel. Most heart wrenching was the fellow wanting to see his dog who was unwell. The demands at the terminals have been interesting to say the least and its amazing how quickly people turn feral when their expectations aren’t met.

The photos (middle and right) above are of both our chiller and Ambient units loading for Great Barrier and are in many ways identical to the Waiheke traffic. In the trailer we have parts and tires for the islands fire appliance, dialysis and other medical supplies, LPG, distilled water, home appliances, a generator, bread, beer, wine and general grocery items.

Waiheke is getting a lot of winemaking supplies and the oyster farms have also just stocked up on essentials, the support of primary industries goes on regardless. There’s the daily trailer load to the supermarket and the same in returns from the recycling and Waste Management operation. These services are absolutely essential lifelines to these thriving but isolated communities.

Tiz

Johns Hopkins Hospital advice

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.

* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.

* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).

By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.

* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.

* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.

* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.

* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.

* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.

* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only

-between 3 hours (fabric and porous),

-4 hours (copper and wood)

-24 hours (cardboard),

- 42 hours (metal) and

-72 hours (plastic).

But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.

* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.

They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.

* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.

* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.

* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.

* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%. \

* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.

* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.

* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.

* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

* AND DON'T FORGET THE FUEL DISPENSING HANDLES

-JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL

• Request your password 
• Request your credit details
• Threaten to disconnect your broadband or anything else
• Tell you that you've been hacked 
• Request access to your personal computer or laptop

• Nobody you deal with would ask any of the questions outlined above for the phone
• Look at the senders address at the top of the email, very often they are hacked email addresses, it could be your address, mine or another random third party address - this is a sure give away. This is demonstrated in the screen shot below, an email I received this morning, ostensibly from Netflix, wanting me to click on their link! In this instance a Graham Irvin has been hacked and his account is being used to send emails.
• If it purports to come from your bank etc but is not in your normal routine, ignore it but call the bank and ask, they will not mind. Never respond to the email, phone your normal contact first.
• No email you have not interacted with will harm you👍😊
• For critical organisations, bank, phone, medical, Facebook etc use a unique password (only for that account) - that is really important
• Make sure you apply all updates sent to you and your device, i.e. Microsoft, Apple etc, they continuously monitor scams and update security accordingly
• Completely power off your laptop/ tablet/ phone at least once a week

                                                                         

With the new calendar year getting underway again after this hot summer, it’s time to think about RYLA 2020 and generating a good field of applicants;

The timeline of events is:

30 April 2020                   Applications close

7 May 2020                      Rotary clubs advised of successful applicants names

14 May 2020                    Candidates notified of their acceptance

27 June to 4 July              RYLA 2020

Could you please identify your candidates and get them to complete the online application  RYLA 2020 Application Form as soon as possible.

• Liaise with the programme organiser (currently the Club Development Director) who would have emailed speaker (and you) with details of location, meeting format, allotted time for address and your name etc.
• Contact the speaker a week prior to the meeting to confirm attendance, and ensure any equipment required such as screens, projectors etc. will be available. 
• Host at breakfast and give a brief introduction of the speaker.
• Thank the speaker at conclusion of the address, (be brief) and present a small gift in appreciation (collect from under the podium before the meeting commences).

• Record attendance on a sheet provided by the Secretary.
• Collect money for breakfasts paid by guests. Full instructions are provided with the attendance list.
• Hand attendance sheet to the President before the meeting starts so that visitors and guests can be acknowledged. 
• Count meal money and hand to the raffle duty person for recording on the Raffle/Meal money record slip to be found in the cash box.

• Arrive no later than 6.30 am
• Equipment is stored under the stairs in the foyer. The combination lock number is C138. You will need Podium, pull-up Rotary and 4 Way Test banners, wooden sign for outside, power point projector, laptop (brief case and silver box), microphone (in kitchen cupboard between food prep area and pub)

• Place the Rotary wooden sandwich outside the front entrance of the Club building visible to all passers by
• Set up Members’ badge board on the table immediately through the double doors and open, place the lectern top next to it
• Wheel the podium to the front of our meeting area, open the front doors, hang the "Year Slogan" banner on front and hang the 4 Way Test banner behind the podium on the wall
• Remove the bell and gavel from the cupboard and place on the table next to the podium
• Remove a pen (boxed) from the bottom of the cupboard and place on the top of the podium ready for presentation to speaker
• Retrieve the microphone from the cupboard in the kitchen (between kitchen and bar), ensure amp is switched on, switch on the repeater outside in the meeting area (between kitchen and bar) and place in holder on the podium
• If you feel comfortable set up lap top and projector, if not coralle Martin, Charles, Ian T or Andrew Laing
• Discuss with President whether to erect pull up banners to block the sun at the North East window, clear days in Autumn and Spring
• At meetings end put equipment away in reverse order to the above, and return all tables and chairs to their original positions. Hall take down is part of the duty

• Collect $30 from the raffle takings the week before your duty
• On the way to the meeting collect the meat pack from Fresh Choice, pay $30
• Obtain cash box, ball bucket and yellow ticket dispenser from under the podium.
• Load tickets into the yellow dispenser and sell to members as they enter.
• Pay $30 from the raffle takings to the following week duty holder or the sergeant. 
• 0n completion, cash is to be counted and handed to the treasurer with a receipt for the cost of the prize (usually sourced from Fresh Choice), and a signed slip (to be found in the cash box), indicating the amount collected for raffles and visitor meals (ex- attendance desk).
• A float of $20 is to remain in the cash box.
• On the call of the President, have the bucket of balls ready for the speaker to draw.

• Return the cash box, yellow ticket dispenser and ball bucket to the podium.

At times like now when the polar blasts move across the country, when there is ice on the windscreen nearly every morning and power is a limited resource, staying warm and healthy is a real challenge for far too many families. Cold homes can lead to many debilitating conditions including high blood pressure, pneumonia, and bronchitis. People already suffering from health issues, the elderly and children are especially vulnerable to the cold.

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay, which meets weekly at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club on Wednesdays, has teamed up with the Anglican Trust for Women & Children and the Warehouse in Pakuranga to bring some warmth into homes that are desperately cold and for whom, some respite from the shivers is welcome indeed.

Dipping into their resources Rotary purchased a load of blankets for local families, and the Warehouse generously topped the quantity up as part of their support to the local community. Together with volunteers from the Anglican Trust for Women & Children the blankets have been distributed to many families in South and East Auckland, making a huge difference to folk who normally dread the onset of winter. This was a great team effort from three organisations, charitable and commercial, working together to deliver good outcomes to their community.

Stand Children’s Services is both a valued neighbour and key partner in developing the Half Moon Bay and national community.

Stand works to transform the lives of children and young people who are at significant risk of harm to their wellbeing as a consequence of the environment in which they are being raised and their own complex needs. Stand’s services include home and school based social work services, a nationwide therapeutic care and education service for children and families, child and family mentoring, and respite services for caregivers, including grandparents and foster parents.

Together we find ways to support this mission and the resultant programmes, providing reading support, a dictionary for every pupil attending Stand and regular work teams.

“Rotarians from the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club, continue to be much appreciated supporters and contributors to the everyday work at Stand Children's Services – Auckland.  It takes very little to give hope and opportunity to children and the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club members offer their service and assistance throughout the year; sponsoring illustrated dictionaries for every child, providing funds for a much appreciated children’s reward scheme and practical assistance by way of working bees.

Their contribution and championing of  our service truly makes a difference”. - Pene Frost, Regional Manager