The NZD is currently languishing at 49.5c in USD terms. The implication is that NZ becomes very competitive in the global market place. This is important in the areas where NZ has an advantage:
1. Food products
2. Forestry
But it also means NZ has a strong point in terms of software programming and web design. There are a great many services you can outsoource to Asia, but as regardless of where you look, you will pay for skills. Traditionally we would not expect a backwater like NZ to offer competitive skills. In fact the low average wages in NZ tends to drive skilled labour out. This is why in previous years we have seen people moving out of NZ as retirees moved in.
In certain areas like software programming, where businesses are not requiring daily contact with clients, and can readily deal with client issues over the internet, the reasons for basing a business in NZ are compelling. NZ in this context becomes one of the cheapest places to set up a business. My partner runs a business LVG Consulting which can perform low-end search engine optimisation in the Philippines, but by partnering with local skilled video design editors, she is also able to project manage an array of online product marketing services with greater skills that would cost far more in the larger markets. She operates this business from a rural town in NZ because the town offers all the support we need, and offers a very attractive environment to live and to raise kids. The town is full of vacant office space if you retire a shop front, and buying such property at the current low exchange rate makes a lot of sense. There is even a local college which offers a source of recruits. The college is even attracting graphic design students from Asia. It is remarkable just how international NZ has become in the two decades. The shift started when Asians saw the country as cheap place to learn English.
The big news is that Australia, NZ and the ASEAN group of nations have negotiated a free trade agreement. On top of an already weak NZD, access to Asian markets can be considered a very attract development. You can expect a lot of investment in NZ to flow from this decision. NZ productive land land over a certain size is out of bounds, but there is still possibilities for Asians to engage in food production in NZ to supply their markets. There is of course the opportunity for Chinese, Malay, Singaporean, Filipino millionaires to buy holiday houses in NZ as well - given the possible trade implications. NZ has traditionally been a expensive place to travel, but that is changing. The opening up of Trans-Tasman flight routes has recently seen the price of NZ to East Coast Australian flights plummet. Expect more of this as the NZ Prime Minister seeks further integration of the NZ-Australian markets. There will be flow-on effects for NZ. NZ of course makes a lot of sense for tourists because of its cheap currency and world-class landscapes. Cheaper access through Australia should also make a lot of difference.
If you are interested in buying property in NZ - we recommend our NZ Property report. The amazing aspect about NZ is that its just not for millionaires. You can buy a house here for as little as $US35,000. You can get more value in NZ than in the Philippines. The best value remains in Japan. Of course people like the Philippines for other reasons.
1. Food products
2. Forestry
But it also means NZ has a strong point in terms of software programming and web design. There are a great many services you can outsoource to Asia, but as regardless of where you look, you will pay for skills. Traditionally we would not expect a backwater like NZ to offer competitive skills. In fact the low average wages in NZ tends to drive skilled labour out. This is why in previous years we have seen people moving out of NZ as retirees moved in.
In certain areas like software programming, where businesses are not requiring daily contact with clients, and can readily deal with client issues over the internet, the reasons for basing a business in NZ are compelling. NZ in this context becomes one of the cheapest places to set up a business. My partner runs a business LVG Consulting which can perform low-end search engine optimisation in the Philippines, but by partnering with local skilled video design editors, she is also able to project manage an array of online product marketing services with greater skills that would cost far more in the larger markets. She operates this business from a rural town in NZ because the town offers all the support we need, and offers a very attractive environment to live and to raise kids. The town is full of vacant office space if you retire a shop front, and buying such property at the current low exchange rate makes a lot of sense. There is even a local college which offers a source of recruits. The college is even attracting graphic design students from Asia. It is remarkable just how international NZ has become in the two decades. The shift started when Asians saw the country as cheap place to learn English.
The big news is that Australia, NZ and the ASEAN group of nations have negotiated a free trade agreement. On top of an already weak NZD, access to Asian markets can be considered a very attract development. You can expect a lot of investment in NZ to flow from this decision. NZ productive land land over a certain size is out of bounds, but there is still possibilities for Asians to engage in food production in NZ to supply their markets. There is of course the opportunity for Chinese, Malay, Singaporean, Filipino millionaires to buy holiday houses in NZ as well - given the possible trade implications. NZ has traditionally been a expensive place to travel, but that is changing. The opening up of Trans-Tasman flight routes has recently seen the price of NZ to East Coast Australian flights plummet. Expect more of this as the NZ Prime Minister seeks further integration of the NZ-Australian markets. There will be flow-on effects for NZ. NZ of course makes a lot of sense for tourists because of its cheap currency and world-class landscapes. Cheaper access through Australia should also make a lot of difference.
If you are interested in buying property in NZ - we recommend our NZ Property report. The amazing aspect about NZ is that its just not for millionaires. You can buy a house here for as little as $US35,000. You can get more value in NZ than in the Philippines. The best value remains in Japan. Of course people like the Philippines for other reasons.
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