Page 6 - HW October 2019

editorial
Looking forward
with a nod to
the past
THE 2019 HARDWARE Awards will have come and gone as you read this issue of NZ Hardware Journal.
As I write, we have just 48 hours before the Awards and, with last minute preparations going on around me, it’s organised chaos.
With 430+ guests registered, I hope that the evening meets expectations, that the winners will be gracious and that those who don’t win will take as a positive that they have been singled out by their peers and customers for the quality of their service.
As usual, we’ll be surveying stakeholders and guests after the event so you will have the opportunity to say what you think and both the brickbats and bouquets will inform next year’s event.
Talking of looking further out, work is now underway towards reinstating the Industry Hall of Fame that’s been in abeyance for a few years now.
Martin Dippie has agreed to help us steer the program in the right direction and in the coming weeks we’ll be announcing who else has agreed to help out and provide objective, impartial input.
The object will be to recognise outstanding individuals of good character who have made a long term, positive impact on the industry with the aim being to celebrate their achievements at an informal
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standalone event, possibly as soon as during the first half 2020.
TAKING AIM AT BUILDING PRODUCTS
Housing Minister, Megan Woods, recently took her turn in the media to have a shot at the cost of building products.
Minister Woods isn’t the first to do so, in fact she’s just the latest in a very long line of Ministers of all persuasions and from
all parties to accuse the supply channel of gouging the market.
Despite fulsome evidence that points the finger at land prices and speculative land bankers as having more influence on the cost of new housing.
The general media basically ignored the Fletcher Building-Deloitte report on the key drivers of housing prices in New Zealand probably suspecting commercial influence on the report’s outcomes (which I am assured was not the case).
Will Government carry through with Minister Woods’ wish that the Commerce Commission undertake a full-on, 100% impartial assessment of the price of building materials in New Zealand?
Is this something to be afraid of?
And will a Commerce Commission report bring a once-and-for-all conclusion to all this?
I suspect not and not any time soon.
In the meantime, go to www. hardwarejournal.co.nz/awards/ awards-2019/ for all the Awards results and photos and then look out for our November issue which will also have extensive coverage!
Steve Bohling, editor steveb@mpm.nz
4 NZHJ | OCTOBER 2019
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