In the line of fire

One of the less reported news items this week was the Prime Minister’s speech about the economy where he lambasted its recent performance.

The speech also included the “six drivers” the government wants to use to address the country’s economic underperformance.

One which property owners need to be wary of has been labelled “a world-class tax system”.

Now this speech was a little fuzzy and didn’t tell readers or listeners much about what the problem with the tax system is or what could change.

However, already there have been comment pieces suggesting the target of such reform will be property investors.

One metropolitan paper ran an editorial saying that changes must be made to stop New Zealanders using foreign funds to borrow up big and then invest in housing.

This is a theme which has been picked up elsewhere.

While the tax system, arguably, may encourage property investing, making changes to the tax system isn’t going to be some magic bullet to solve economic performance or to make houses more affordable.

I’m wary that forces are lining up to attack something which has arguably delivered a lot of wealth to New Zealanders.

Any changes need to be well thought through and discussed. As for property investors, be warned: you may be about to come under attack.