With the incredible global and local challenges that have occurred recently as we’ve navigated the fall-out of Covid-19, much has changed, especially related to the property market. This is a topic that many people are concerned about, largely because it’s not their area of expertise and the perceived potential to make the ‘wrong’ move and lose a lot of money has people hesitant.

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a crystal ball?

Fortunately, for those of us whose business it is to know about these things, interpreting figures and trends in the property world is all part of our knowledge and expertise; it’s our job to help property buyers understand and make sound choices.
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If you’ve missed out what has happened so far this year, this is what you need to know:

• The Official Cash Rate (OCR) was moved down to 25 basis points and will likely to remain until end of the year. It is expected to go down further next year and perhaps into the negative.
• 1-year fixed interest rates are at all time low at 2.65%; some banks are offering 2.55%.
• The long-term rates are lower, however the 1 year fixed rate is more attractive and the right way to go.
• The Reserve Bank has removed the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) restriction however the banks have not made any changes to their lending criteria. Lending criteria remains the same for first home buyers although some banks are more flexible with investment properties and accepting 80% LVR on a case-by-case basis.

 
This current situation is a great opportunity for first home buyers who have been waiting to get onto the property ladder; houses are now more affordable and interest rates are low.
 
At the same time this is also a great opportunity for existing owner-occupiers to upsize.
 
On the flip side things may have become harder for some first home buyers with lower KiwiSaver balances, job security, change in employment prospects or more hoops to jump through to get credit or loan approval.

If you are wanting to get onto the property ladder, then the first step is to talk to your local mortgage broker.  Whether you looking to buy, refinance or just chat, we are here to listen and guide you.
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Shalini Shandil,
Eclipse Mortgage Brokers ​

Apart from working through a backlog of WOFs, it’s back to business as usual for Peter.

During the higher alert levels, he did some repairs for essential workers in the health sector but apart from that it was a long break at home. The government wage subsidy which offset the lack of revenue saw the business come through ok, and also minimised the stress of the situation.

Like many small business owners who usually never get a chance to switch off, it was a unique experience for Peter. He realised that it was ok to stop and just do nothing for a while. Then it was doing those jobs that he usually never has time for like spending three days cleaning the ceilings. At least his wife Deran got some jobs crossed off the list!

Now work has resumed there are some changes at the workshop. He has rebranded to include the name Hillsborough instead of Waikowhai. People were geographically challenged with the old name. Now Peter is struggling to remember to use the new name when he answers the phone! Another change is that his son Jordan has started part-time with him and is keen to do more hours of hands on, practical work.
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Peter is confident about the future. When asked if electric vehicles would need less repairs and undermine mechanical workshop businesses he says if a vehicle has wheels on it, it will always need fixing!

We aim to keep New Zealanders safe, so operating under any alert level we are taking all appropriate precautions necessary including contactless service, vehicle sanitation, proper workplace hygiene and social distancing. Please phone us to find out more and we will be happy to help with your vehicle enquiries.

Auto Super Shoppe Hillsborough (Previously Waikowhai Auto Centre) is owned and operated by Peter and Deran Scherf who are dedicated to delivering the highest level of service to customers. The business was established in 1999 and is run with a successful team of highly experienced technicians who have over 35 years of collective experience in the automotive industry.

MTA approved and selected as a top workshop in the area for the Auto Super Shoppe network means customers can rest assured their vehicle is in the best hands.  As a business we take pride in being ecologically friendly.   We like to support local and are supporters of Monte Cecila Catholic School, Hillsborough Heights Village Bowls, Hillboro Bowls Club, Blockhouse Bay Bowls Club, Promise Keepers, Waikowhai Primary School, Waikowhai Intermediate School and Lynfield College.

Our automotive services include Car Servicing, Warrant of Fitness, Tyres, Brake Repairs, Cambelts, Car Air-Conditioning, Car Battery, CV Joints, Auto Electrics, Engine Management, Motorcycle repairs/WOF/servicing, light engineering fabrication.  We also have a particular interest in vehicles from the 50’s and 60’s.  Auto Super Shoppe Hillsborough is local to Mt Roskill, Hillsborough, Lynfield, Blockhouse Bay, Three Kings, Royal Oak, Mt Albert, Mt Eden and Onehunga.

We can offer courtesy cars or a local pickup and delivery service.  We welcome online booking enquiries or just call should you need automotive advice, a quote or would like to make a booking.  We accept all major credit cards, Q Card, Eftpos and cash.  

​Contact us for all your vehicle needs.

WE'RE OPEN FOR WOF, SERVICE AND REPAIRS
421 Hillsborough Road, Hillsborough , Auckland 1042

Mon-Fri: 8:00am-5:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-1:00pm
Sun: Closed
09 626 2026

What did you do during lockdown? Lots of organising of my house, exercising etc. Had quality time with husband. Lots of cooking and baking things I wouldn’t normally do (cos I had yeast and flour!) I took time to reflect on the business a little, but didn’t dwell. It is what it is, we will come out the other side, but for now let’s make the most of the time we have together. But by week three I was a bit over it.

What have you learned about yourself? Maybe I work too much and need to find more balance in my life. I thought about this a lot. Not “Is it worth it”, but more “Life is not all about work”. Other aspects of my life are equally important, and it took the business shutting down to see that. At the end of the year I always take time to reflect, but in lockdown there were no distractions; I couldn’t go anywhere, there was nothing that pulled me away from ‘right here and now’. I did quite like that in a sense.

What have you learned about your business, and what will you do differently? When you’re in the daily grind you don’t realise how much the business has grown. From where we started to where we are now is like “Wow!” I’ve realised how much we have grown into a multi-faceted business, and how we can simply change which facets we promote for now.

For instance, there won’t be as much demand for catering, but we can promote our frozen meals, and find new markets for them. And because we have to take out tables the café won’t be the strongest part of the business. Some clientele – particularly the elderly - may also be quite nervous about coming to the café as they have in the past. So, we are looking at diversifying to create more business outside our physical premises, such as fresh dinners.

Our main goal as a business is to keep everyone employed and hopefully growing a bit as well. I’m really hopeful for the future. I believe that the community will come back and support us and other local businesses.

CAFE  
7 Totara Avenue, New Lynn, Auckland.
​Parking available at the back of our building.
HOURS
M-F: 7.30am - 3pm
​Sat: 8.30am - 2pm
CLOSED on public holidays
TELEPHONE
09 827 6528
​0210 267 7343​
EMAIL
thewardroomnz@gmail.com