Who is the NZPIF?
Welcome to what is the first of a series of monthly updates from the NZ Property Investors Federation (NZPIF), in partnership with myRent.
Right now, some of you are wondering ‘who the heck is the NZPIF, what do they do and why do I need them in my life’? On the other hand, if you’re already an NZPIF member or a member of your local Property Investors Association, then make yourself a cuppa and please skip to the end to do our short survey. Oh, and you can enjoy the fact you’re getting a 15% discount on myRent services!
Not many people know that there are over 304,000 property investors in New Zealand. That’s the latest data from IRD, based on the number of taxpayers who declare income from residential rental properties.
Those 304,000-odd taxpayers probably represent upwards of half a million motivated voters, when you include spouses/partners and other family members with an interest in an investment property. That’s a pretty decent voting bloc, but you wouldn’t think so judging from some of the policy that’s been put in place in the last decade or so.
The great weakness of property investors as a group, despite the large number of us, is that we're all individuals, couples, small groups, and often individualistic. We like our independence. However, if we want to be taken seriously, be listened to and be able to stand up for our rights, we need to work together.
That’s why NZPIF was formed, about 40 years ago. The local associations, which were essentially clubs formed by property investors to offer each other support and advice, decided that they needed political representation at a national level.
NZPIF, run almost entirely by volunteers, has worked hard to have an impact on national politics. Influence has come and gone with the changing governments, but overall NZPIF has been able to make a positive impact.
The difference we're making
Our biggest success is the restoration of interest deductibility, a policy which caused a lot of financial hardship and made many investors consider selling up and leaving the business. Now we must make sure it never comes back, and lobby for other changes which will make the residential rental market work better – for landlords and tenants.
To get this job done, we must work with all parties in parliament, local government, industry partners and NGOs. That’s a lot of work, and the NZPIF Board has recognised the need resource it better. While our volunteers have done an amazing job and will continue to do so, we have had to recognise the amount work involved and become a more professional organisation.
That’s why last year NZPIF created the PR & Advocacy Manager role (that’s me!) to work with our new Marketing Manager (Dayna) and new Business & Operations Manager (Lee). Our goal is to grow our membership, represent property investors’ interests in the corridors of power, and help property investors’ businesses thrive. We’re a small team, funded for 60 hours a week between us, but we’re getting stuck in. We’ve done a lot of work to improve our website, we’ve been meeting with politicians from all parties, and we’re working with our supplier partners – like myRent – to get great deals for our members.
To help us with this work, we’d like to ask for your help.
This is the first time I’ve written for myRent customers, and I’d like to make sure my future columns are going to be useful and interesting. I’d also like to know how many of you have heard of NZPIF or Property Investors Associations and what you most want from our organisation.
We’ve created a short survey, which you can find here. I promise you it really is short – only 6 questions – so won’t take much of your time. It’d be great if you’d help us out by completing it.
That’s all from me, until next time. If you want to find out more about what NZPIF and the 17 PIAs offer to property investors, have a look through our website, here.
Matt - PR & Advocacy Manager NZPIF
