Snow on the hills and maximum of 10 for the day is not the signal we really want at the moment. That unfortunately is reality and we must learn to live with it, the seasons they are a changing!!!

Property market still seems to be reasonably strong in the area, still very much supply and demand driven. Definitely a drop in interest from overseas buyers which is indicative of the Banks and now the Governments moves to restrict this market. One segment of the property market that is interesting is all the news reports of high rental costs and lack of stock for rentals in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson etc. To date Queenstown Lakes hasn’t really featured however I believe the rents charged in our area as an average far exceed all other hot spots. It all adds to the cost of living in paradise.

Not a lot to add this month have been very busy with organising the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) Worlds Division III which is to be hosted in Queenstown late next week. Competition is a short sharp one involving teams from New Zealand, South Africa and Hong Kong and will be the first IIHF tournament to be held in Queenstown. A great way to start the season!!!

If Michelle or I can help in any way don’t hesitate to contact us.

Cheers

Charlie & Michelle

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New Zealand property values are flat heading into winter, as stock levels rise, time on market increases, and Auckland becomes a buyer's market for the first time in years. While the Wellington market is still strong and certain regional markets are performing well, Christchurch is down and national figures are cooling. According to Quotable Value (QV), the average value of all residential dwellings throughout the country was $677,618 in March, up 7.3 percent compared to March last year.

When it comes to exercise, procrastination is all too easy due to the mental and physical barriers that we put in place. People who want to get fit are often told to join a gym or buy an expensive piece of workout equipment - things that cost more time and money than most people have. There is a solution, however, working out at home. By turning your home into a gym and getting inspired by your domestic environment, you can break down the barriers that have been holding you back for so long.

From Miniature Poodles and Chihuahuas through to German Shepherds and Great Danes, there’s a reason why dogs are called man's best friend. Whether you want to get active, improve your social life, or reduce your stress levels, dogs can do wonders for your health and wellbeing. Owning a dog has even been linked to having a longer life, so what are you waiting for, grab your collar and lead or head down to the local pet shop and introduce yourself to your new best friend.

After decades of searching for signs of life in the stars, the very thing we've been looking for may have been on our galactic doorstep all along. A recent article in the Astrobiology journal suggests there may be life in the clouds of Venus. An international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, have used evidence from new Venus footage to make these speculations. While Venus’ atmosphere has everything micro-organisms would need to survive, the study authors won't know what's really going on until they send a floating aircraft to comb the skies of Venus.