News in brief

Here comes the sun

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons hopes a new $15.5 million Government solar water-heating programme will see 20,000 more households using the environmentally friendly system by 2010. About
half the funding will go towards increasing Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funding of $300 up to $500 to pay interest on loans taken out to install solar water-heating systems, which cost up to $8000. The rest will be spent on information provision, promotion (including websites and 0800 numbers), industry training and standards, solar heating of government buildings and an innovation fund.


Coach’s home under the hammer

A palatial River Road house tipped to set a house sales record for Hamilton just missed the mark at auction late last year. The architecturally designed, Italian-styled home in Riverlinks Lane sold for $2.35 million to Steve and Kathy Aldridge. It was built six years ago by former Waikato rugby coach John Boe and his wife Robyn, who had many of the building’s features imported from Italy. The Boes have now settled in Queensland, and are said to be happy with the unconditional sale, despite the house going for $50,000 less than reserve. Situated on 5000sqm, the house and gardens have panoramic views of the Waikato River. The house has two imported marble columns in the foyer and marble tile floors throughout the formal living
areas. Other features include gold plated taps in the master ensuite and light fittings made from hand-blown Venetian glass. The sale price record for Hamilton is held by another River Road property,
which was owned by Ian and Jennifer Patton, and sold at auction for $2.5 million in May.


Housing NZ tenants to get a move on

A new team of roaming investigators is being set up to target middle and high-income Housing New Zealand tenants and encourage them to move on. Housing Minister Chris Carter says the squad will look into allegations of subletting among those paying market rents and also at homes which are under-used, such as where there are only single occupants in large houses. Carter says the team will include six investigators who will work at freeing up homes in 11 areas where state homes are in high demand, including Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. The investigators will provide advice, support and options for state house tenants in a position to move, rather than forcing them to leave their homes, he says.