Trends Property Insight Series

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Davina Harper, colour specialist at Dulux New Zealand, to explore how colour shapes the feeling, personality, and liveability of a home.

Drawing on her work across the Dulux colour range, colour forecasting, and design trend research, Davina explains how homeowners can move beyond swatches and overwhelm to make more confident colour decisions. From understanding undertones and the impact of New Zealand light, to creating flow through a whole home and finding the right moment for bold colour, this conversation turns colour into something practical, emotional, and achievable.

We also explore how colour affects mood and behaviour, why white is often the hardest colour to choose, how sheen and undertones change perception, and how to use simple tools to test and visualise colours before committing. Davina shares where colour trends are heading, how to balance timelessness with personality, and why even small “colour moments” can make a home feel more considered and expressive.

Whether you’re renovating to stay, refreshing a space on a budget, or preparing a property for sale, this episode is a practical guide to using colour in a way that feels intentional, cohesive, and right for the way you live.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

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You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with landscape designer Gavin Olson of Olsen Landscapes to explore how thoughtful landscaping can dramatically transform the way a property looks, feels, and functions.

With more than 26 years of experience designing and building outdoor spaces across residential and commercial projects in New Zealand and overseas, Gavin shares practical insight into how gardens, pathways, planting, decks, and lighting can reshape a property’s first impression and extend the way people live in their homes.

We discuss the common misconceptions homeowners have about landscaping, the simple improvements that can dramatically lift a property’s presentation before sale, and why planning outdoor spaces early — rather than as an afterthought — often delivers the best results.

Gavin also explains how good landscape design balances structure and planting, how lighting, shade, and privacy shape outdoor living areas, and why even modest budgets can create meaningful improvements to a property’s value and lifestyle.

Whether you're renovating, preparing a home for sale, or simply looking to create a more enjoyable outdoor space, this episode highlights how landscaping can turn unused areas into beautiful, functional extensions of the home.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

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You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Kevan Hunt of Elite Insulation to uncover the hidden system inside every home that quietly affects comfort, health, and energy use — insulation.

Drawing on more than a decade running one of Auckland’s leading insulation businesses, and experience across more than 25,000 homes, Kevan explains how insulation works, why it matters, and how homeowners can better understand what’s happening inside their walls, ceilings, and floors.

We explore what buyers should look for at open homes, how insulation standards have evolved under the Healthy Homes legislation and building code updates, and why even relatively small upgrades can make an immediate difference to how a home feels to live in.

Kevan also breaks down common misconceptions — including the myth that insulation is only important in winter — and explains how the right insulation helps regulate temperature year-round, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Whether you’re buying, renovating, renting, or preparing a property for sale, this episode offers practical insight into one of the most cost-effective ways to improve comfort, reduce moisture issues, and create a healthier living environment.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ou can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

In this returning-guest episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, Andrew Johnson sits down again with Derek Von Sturmer to go deeper than “trust” — and unpack the real mechanics that shape buyer and seller outcomes.

Derek breaks down the misunderstandings around price guides, why buyers often rely too heavily on an agent’s framing, and how to get clearer context using comparable sales and smarter questioning. He also shares a practical tactic for shifting the conversation when an agent won’t provide guidance, and why “what a home is worth” and “what someone will pay” are two very different things.

The conversation also covers online valuation tools and why they can’t replace on-the-ground research, the risk of underquoting and wasted due diligence, and how some agents “buy the listing” then condition vendors down over time. From there, Derek explains how a strong preparation plan — including concierge-style coordination — can reduce overwhelm, increase buyer appeal, and create a genuine “no regrets” selling experience.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or preparing your home for market months in advance, this episode gives the audience clearer language, stronger questions, and a more confident way to navigate real estate decisions.

ou can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, host Andrew Johnson sits down with Bryce Leckie of Leck Electrical to unpack how great electrical planning and lighting design can transform the way a home feels, functions, and flows — for everyday New Zealanders.

Bryce explains why his work has evolved from “just wiring” into designing around real behaviour: how families move through a home, where clutter builds up, how devices get charged, and how lighting impacts mood, sleep, and daily routines. We break down practical ideas like layered lighting (ambient, task, feature), why dimmers and scene-setting aren’t a luxury, and how to avoid the classic renovation regret of “we should’ve done that at the start.”

The conversation also covers modern essentials such as USB-C charging strategy, hiding device clutter, using sensors in high-traffic spaces, and how smart automation has become far more accessible. Bryce also shares future-focused infrastructure planning — from EV charger readiness and solar considerations to the value of a smarter switchboard system that helps households understand where power is really going.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/podcast

Whether you’re renovating to stay, preparing a home for sale, or buying and planning upgrades, this episode gives the audience a clear checklist of smarter questions, better decisions, and the small design moves that create a noticeably better home.

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You can watch the full episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/about-us

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with David Johnson, founder and CEO of Trends, to unpack the entrepreneur’s template that took a New Zealand idea global. We explore how a simple, repeatable format — clear headlines, useful stories, disciplined layouts, and strict guardrails — scaled across countries and cultures.

You’ll hear the pivotal moments: selling on talkback radio, inventing “advertorial” as education-first marketing, templating pages so journalists could ship quality at speed, and pairing print with early web video years before YouTube. We connect those lessons to today: why systems thinking beats guesswork, why distribution is strategy, and how to protect product integrity as you grow.

Set in the context of New Zealand’s design and building sector, this conversation shows how a focus on clarity, trust, and audience respect can travel from Auckland to Asia, the US, and beyond — and why those same principles power TrendsProperty.com today.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a marketer, or a builder of teams and platforms, you’ll take away a practical playbook for turning one good idea into many durable wins.

You can watch the full episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/about-us

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You can watch the full episode by visiting Trendsproperty.com/about-us

In this special episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, the roles switch. Broadcaster Dom Harvey takes the host chair and interviews Andrew Johnson about the real story behind Trends Property. Andrew shares how growing up in a family publishing business, building early digital video platforms, and weathering his own buying, selling, and renovating challenges led to a national platform designed to make the property journey clearer and less stressful.

They unpack why Trends Property is free to use, how the ecosystem works from journeys and guides to the myTrends account and team collaboration, and why better communication between homeowners and professionals lifts outcomes. Andrew explains the practical gaps he saw first-hand, the human side of decision-making under pressure, and the value of unbiased tools that help you take the right steps in the right order.

Looking ahead, Andrew outlines what is coming next, including conversational tools, smarter assistants, and richer ways to learn and plan. Whether you are renovating where you live, preparing to sell, buying with intent, or considering a new build, this episode gives you the context behind the platform and a clear sense of why this work matters.

You can watch the full episode by visiting Trendsproperty.com/about-us

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You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Ross Longney, longtime kitchen specialist at Poggenpohl Studio Auckland, to unpack how design discipline and quality systems turn a busy room into the most reliable space in your home. From 130-plus years of German engineering heritage to what that means on site in New Zealand, Ross explains why “the chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”

He breaks down the decisions that matter most: establishing a clear brief, choosing appliances early because they drive the layout, and prioritising workflow as a “work circle.” Think storage, prep, cook, clean, and put away, rather than a dated triangle. We explore why drawers beat under-bench cupboards, how tall kitchens are changing storage, and the real-world benefits of good hardware, integrated appliances, and durable benchtops.

Ross also demystifies installation, the critical last mile that makes everything line up, glide, and last. He shares how to avoid common regrets, such as corner clashes and noisy plant rooms, why branded kitchens can lift resale, and how to balance timeless materials with future-ready tech such as induction through porcelain hobs and high-performance refrigeration.

Whether you are planning a compact upgrade or a full open plan showpiece, you will learn where to spend, where to simplify, and how to work with a trained kitchen designer and specialist installer so your kitchen looks serene and performs beautifully for decades.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

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You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Nat Jakich of Box to unpack what really makes a residential project run well. Drawing on decades across site and office, Nat explains why getting the builder involved early with the designer and engineer turns a good concept into a deliverable plan, with clearer pricing, fewer surprises, and a smoother path through consent and construction.

Nat breaks down the decisions that matter most: foundations and structure that suit the site, access and excavation planning while heavy machinery is on hand, and simple, durable detailing that keeps homes warm, dry, and easy to maintain. He shares how direct, honest communication with homeowners prevents small issues from becoming costly problems, and why showing a realistic schedule early — then tightening it at pre-line — keeps confidence high.

We explore the renovate-versus-rebuild call, including when retaining character makes sense and when starting fresh delivers better performance and value. Nat also lifts the curtain on Box’s team model, from long-term subcontractor relationships to training apprentices, so quality stays consistent from framing to handover.

Whether you are planning a careful renovation or a new architectural build, this conversation shows how early collaboration, practical sequencing, and transparent client updates protect budgets, save time, and deliver homes that work beautifully for New Zealand living.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

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You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we sit down with Damian Francis from Frontier Pools to unpack the full journey from first idea to first swim. With a background in landscaping and concrete, he explains why the best pools begin with a solid design, clear goals, and a site plan that considers access, fencing, and the entire backyard — not just the water.

Damian walks through the early steps: engaging a landscape architect, shaping a concept that reflects how you actually want to live, and navigating consent with pool fencing in mind. He demystifies common decisions — pool size, shape, filtration, heating, and finishes — and shares when features like infinity edges or integrated spas make sense.

We dig into the build realities many homeowners miss: tight Auckland sites, rock excavation, machinery access, and sequencing the dig so landscaping benefits from the same window of work. Damian outlines typical timelines from construction to handover and explains why planning for a concealed cover early can save money and improve the look while reducing evaporation and running costs.

Finally, he breaks down water care options (salt-to-chlorine, mineral systems, automation), the basics of maintenance and valet services, and the simple habits that keep water clear with minimal effort. Throughout, Damian returns to the real payoff — time together. A well-planned pool becomes a daily ritual for kids, teens, and parents alike, turning the backyard into a place to connect, unplug, and make memories for decades.

You can watch this episode by visiting TrendsProperty.com/Podcast

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