Originally Posted by
Snoopy
Tim I notice you are posting from Masterton. I was there for the day last year attending Sir Brian's funeral. The town looked very spick and span I thought. The rugby ground was immaculate, and I'm not just saying that because it was the 'venue of the day'. People on the street were wandering around with purpose and contentment on their faces, Plenty of customers at the little cafe where I stopped off for lunch in town. But, it has to be said, there weren't many signs of overseas tourists about. There are lots of inter-generational drystock farmers in the Manawatu who are having their day in the sun with good prices for lamb and beef. Farming wealth runs this town, This is a solid farming community off the main tourist trail. I think Masterton will do OK as the wage subsidy comes off. Where I do see problems are in the tourist towns, particularly in the South Island: Kaikoura, Queenstown, Franz Joseph and Fox Glacier. The other places I see problems are the gateway cities of Christchurch and Auckland. There is too much high end hospitality in those cities that locals will not be prepared to step up and pay for at last years market rates. What I am saying here is that I expect the effect of the wage subsidy removal to be uneven around the country. Don't assume that because your patch looks O.K. that other towns around the country will be.
SNOOPY
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