[OPINION] Social stigma scaring off mom-and-pop investors

Prominent New Zealand Property Coach Steve Goodey says two critical pillars of the New Zealand economy are farming and property investment—food and housing—and both are under attack by politicians such as the Labour/Greens.

"Politicians and activists are using the power of envy to shape public opinion and to leverage votes, without thinking through the long-term consequences for middle-income Kiwis who are too cowed by the current environment to invest to secure their future."

Goodey says that what amounts to public shaming of property investors—most of them single investment owning, hard-working Kiwis—and the almost punitive-like legislation they have to bear creates a social environment that makes people nervous about how they may be perceived.

"The current conditions, with pressure on property prices, is the ideal time to enter the investment market. However, social pressures (in addition to factors like interest rates) are costing people opportunities.