Rodney’s dangerous roads

By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.

Rodney has scored the unenviable distinction of being the Local Board with the most deaths and serious injuries on its roads over the past year.

At a Transport and Infrastructure committee on April 20, Auckland Transport (AT) reported that half of all deaths and serious injuries (DSI) in Auckland had occurred in just six local board areas.

In total, there were 648 DSIs – 601 serious injuries and 47 deaths.

Rodney had the highest number of DSIs –89, making up 14 per cent of Auckland’s total. This was followed by Franklin, Howick, Manurewa, Otara-Papatoetoe and Henderson-Massey.

The committee was told that speed remains the leading factor in Auckland road crashes, with speed being a factor in more than half the accidents recorded.

Cr Julie Fairey said some nuance around where crashes were occurring would be helpful in understanding the issue.

“A bit of context around the geographic area and population would be helpful,” Fairey said. Rodney Councillor Cr Greg Sayers agreed.

“We have got quite a large unsealed roading network in Rodney, as well as our sealed networks, and I am just curious if we are able to get a breakdown on where these DSIs occurred,” Sayers said.

Sayers suggested it would be useful for local boards and local councillors of areas with unsealed road networks to know where the accidents were occurring.

Cr Richard Hills wanted to know whose responsibility it was to push back against the number of deaths on Auckland’s roads.

“A total of 47 families never see their loved ones again, 601 people’s lives changed potentially forever and that is just in one year,” Hills said.

“I do hear a lot of push-back on things like safety speeds and pedestrian crossings but, in my ward, the schools are all fighting over who gets the next one [crossing].”

AT’s acting chair Wayne Donnelly said the board took the responsibility of transport safety very seriously.

“One of the reasons for bringing all this data together is to be able to have good conversations with local boards. Sometimes it’s not just one answer or one technological solution,” Donnelly said.

“We won’t knowingly let a dangerous situation continue.”

Refinancing: What you need to know before you sign on the dotted line

By Courtney Clarke, & Patrick Steuart, WRMK Lawyers

With interest rates showing no signs of falling, many people are considering refinancing their property. This guide will help you navigate the refinancing process.

Break fees – Break fees are charged by your current lender if you pay off your loan before the agreedupon term is up. When considering refinancing, make sure you ask your bank for an estimate of your repayment figure, including any break fees involved This will help you weigh up whether or not to refinance, and avoid any surprises down the line.

Amount to borrow – Next, work out how much you need to repay so you know how much you need to borrow. Keep in mind that when you refinance, you will usually be required to repay all existing lending with your current bank, not just your home loans. This often includes credit cards, overdrafts, and revolving credit facilities that also need to be repaid at the same time.

ball rolling with discharging your existing mortgage and reviewing loan documentation from the new bank when it arrives.

Security – Be sure to find out what security the bank needs as well. If the lending involves a company or trust, guarantees may be required which have additional legal requirements. In some cases, independent legal advice may be necessary.

Guarantees – Let your lawyer know if there are any existing guarantees to be released, as these aren’t necessarily released when you change banks unless specifically requested.

Call for care around disposal fields

Council staff are reminding the public to take care around wastewater disposal fields on public land, after damaged lines were discovered by workers in a remote parkland area near Warkworth Showgrounds. Wastewater disposal fields are part of a localised septic system, used in isolated areas that are not connected to a larger centralised treatment plant. These systems are used to treat wastewater from public toilets in many parks. Disposal fields are signposted and distribute only treated wastewater from public facilities. While wastewater is treated before it is dispersed, there are still potential health risks if coming into contact with the wastewater. In addition, damage to the lines can be costly to repair and can increase risk of erosion if leaks from damaged lines are not detected promptly. Photo, Auckland Council.

Cash contribution

– When considering which bank to go with, think beyond the interest rates they can offer you. Negotiating a cash contribution can often help to cover break fees and legal costs, but note that the cash contribution is often paid to you some time after settlement (usually 5-10 working days). You’ll need to ensure you have borrowed a sufficient amount to cover all repayment costs.

Lawyer involvement – It is important to get your lawyer involved in the refinancing process early on. This will ensure that they can work with your timeframe and can get the

Insurance – Finally, insurance is another important factor to keep in mind. The new bank’s interest needs to be noted on your insurance policy, and this can hold up settlement if not done in time. Your new bank will need to see a certificate of currency of insurance noting their interest as mortgagee before they advance funds.

Keep in mind that the loan application process can take some time, rates will need to be negotiated and loan documents must be prepared by the bank and sent to your lawyer. You’ll need to review them with your lawyer, sign them, and have them sent back to the bank for processing before settlement can take place. Starting the process early and discussing the timeframes with the bank/broker and your lawyer can help you avoid any delays.

If you need assistance with refinancing your property, our friendly team of experienced local lawyers are happy to help.

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Whatever you’re dealing with, our lawyers are here to help.

Call us on 09 470 2459.

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