It’s a curious phenomenon how time can fly at what seems to be an increasingly rapid rate, but when we pinpoint an event it can feel like a lifetime ago. Shellock Consulting Ltd has recently turned six years old. What a six years it’s been! We have each experienced joys, sorrows, successes, troubles, triumphs and losses, both in our personal and professional lives (sometimes these cross over). Anniversaries are a wonderful opportunity to pause, look back, remember, learn and be grateful, but also an opportunity to look ahead with optimism.
We have reminisced by looking at some events that have hit the news over the last six years:
2015 heralded Donald Trump’s candidacy for president of the USA. The All Blacks became the first team to ever win the Rugby World Cup twice in a row. And… the introduction of the bright-line test requiring income tax to be paid on gains from residential property sold within two years of acquisition (more on that in 2018 and 2021).
2016 was the shock announcement that John Key was standing down as Prime Minister and leader of the National Party. This signalled the end of National’s leadership for the next two elections (to date). Britain voted to leave the European Union. The 2016 summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2017 saw New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (dubbed the Kingmaker), entering a coalition with Labour to form a minority government with 55 seats, led by Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s third female Prime Minster. National became the first party under MMP to not be part of Government, despite winning the popular vote with 56 seats. Team New Zealand won the 35th America’s Cup.
2018 started with the announcement that PM Jacinda Ardern was pregnant. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19th on a sparkling, sunny day at Windsor Castle, broadcast around the world. After more than 60 years of production, Girl Guiding New Zealand made the devastating decision (well, to some of us), to stop selling its vanilla biscuits as a fundraiser. The #MeToo movement went global. The bright-line test was extended to five years.
2019. The Christchurch mosque attacks, became a point in New Zealand’s history that shook us all as we realised our country is not immune to horrors that we have seen in “other” countries. A horrifying event that despite being born out of hatred, brought New Zealanders together. Then Whakaari / White Island erupted, yet another tragedy with heroes and victims.
2020 saw COVID-19 reach New Zealand. We complied with lockdown requirements and managed to come through comparatively unscathed, the envy of many other countries. The government continues to tell us how resilient our economy has been despite the lock downs imposed and travel restrictions that are still largely in place. The 2020 summer Olympics that were to be held in Tokyo were postponed. Previously only three summer Olympics have ever been cancelled, all during wartime.
2021 has seen Auckland hosting the 36th America’s Cup, and to our delight, Emirates Team New Zealand won for the fourth time. Housing prices continue to soar. The government further extends the bright-line test to 10 years (with an exemption for new builds which remains at five years). With the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, we hope that life and borders can continue to open. We are, however, acutely aware of those who have suffered financial or personal hardship through loss of business, separation from loved ones, isolation, or illness.
As we look back at how past events have brought us to where we are today, we pause and remember. And as we look forward to the coming six years and beyond, we are hopeful. Hopeful that the resilience that we as New Zealanders constantly demonstrate will continue to carry us all forward whatever comes our way.
“It’s all Go at Shellock” for 2021, and we hope it is all going in the right direction for you and your business too. But if you need advice or support, we are here to help you Unlock Your Business Potential.
