Brian Holden: Hot property yet to figure in these parts

As attractive as Rotorua is, the most recent property values indicate otherwise, especially in comparison to Auckland. Photo / File

Staggering" and "frightening" were the two words I heard on Sunday morning's radio news - describing the trend of Auckland's soaring property values. Then I picked up my tablet to see www.stuff.co.nz displaying a click-the-dots map, giving property owners a peep at how much values have jumped.

For example, holding the mouse pointer over Glen Innes will come up with a flag "Change in CV (which in every case is upwards) 55 per cent".

Such figures can only confirm that despite Auckland's grand scale power failures, and daily traffic snarl-ups, the city and region in general is seen as the place to live for most.

Move a couple of hundred kilometres south and the story is a lot different, where Rotorua home owners have just opened their latest property valuation envelopes to find that figures have dipped - for many - yet again. We can cite all sorts of reasons, but the most obvious is that settling in this neck of the woods is a not the preferred choice - as the numbers show.

With our population having actually declined a little, it is seen as a great place to visit, but ... Despite the "housing crisis" further north, people are not exactly migrating here in their droves to snap up our "increasingly affordable" dwellings are they?

Usually, one's castle is regarded as an investment, but in reality, in this part of the country it is proving to be anything but. Rather than commit to a hefty mortgage, new homeowners may be best to sit tight and rent, until this dire situation hopefully improves.

As it stands, despite all the above reasons as to why our district hasn't taken off, there is much of all this that simply doesn't make sense. Perhaps 10 years from now, a different trend will emerge. I hope so.

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So MP Judith Collins is still seething after not being able to retain the word "Honourable" before her name after having to step down from her post.

Oh dear.

After all, other former ministers who left in the wake of various scandals managed to hang on to their Honourable titles. It is evident Collins' track record pushed her over the mark, resulting in her not being able to retain her status.

Like a spoilt child "upset, angry and appalled", she publicly lashed out at the Prime Minister upon hearing the news. But that's the name of the game with such situations.

There are some who have had to give up their titles - like disgraced Labour MP Phillip Field who was imprisoned on corruption charges a few years ago. Many cringe at the mention of a sir, dame or honourable in front of someone's name, but I must say that in the case of Collins the title "Right Madam" would have been appropriate.

As an aside, what does "Right Honourable" mean, and who could be so high and mighty to earn such a title? A quick internet search informs me that "Right Honourable" applies only to a MP - or Member of the House of Lords - who is a member of the Privy Council. It's a British thing which probably originates from the phrase when one is "privy to" certain information. Such people (appointed by the Queen) have usually achieved high political, judicial office or eminence in public affairs in the United Kingdom, or the Common-wealth, or both. Once appointed, these pillars of society are entitled to use the title "The Right Honourable" before their name - for life.

There are currently only 26 New Zealanders who have been appointed to the Privy Council. Names we relate to such as RH Helen Clark, ONZ and RH Winston Peters MP, are Right Honourables. We can be proud to know that Rotorua-raised RH Paul East, CNZM, QC also holds this prestigious title.

Despite such titles putting shivers up my spine, I accept that in most cases they are hard-earned and well deserved with the holders having the maturity and integrity that we, the hoi poloi can respect.

Dummy spitting battle-axe, Judith Collins falls well short of the right to brandish her desperately-wanted title in any shape or form.

• Brian Holden has lived in Rotorua for most of his life and has recently celebrated 10 years' writing And Another Thing.