新西兰英语 739 House Prices

 　　Average house prices have increased by 6.7% in the last 12 months in New Zealand. However, the increase in Auckland central city was 11%. The reason for the increase was partly because mortgage rates are low at the moment, around 6%. There is also a shortage of houses, because of migrants and others moving to Auckland. The Auckland City Council wants to increase the density¹ of housing instead of letting the city expand in area. The city is on a narrow strip of land between two harbours. Any increase in housing means expanding the city north and south. That creates problems with infrastructure² – water, sewage and storm water pipes, as well as transport infrastructure such as roads, buses and rail.

　　In Auckland the average house price is more than $500,000.

　　Christchurch also has a housing shortage because of the earthquake nearly 2 years ago. Those people who live in the red zone have to move out of their house and find a new one. Also many tradesmen are needed for rebuilding the city and they need a place to live. House prices in the city and surrounding areas are now much higher than ever before. The average house price in Christchurch is now just over $400,000.

　　Vocabulary

　　?average – add all the house prices and divide by the number of houses

　　?mortgage – money borrowed from the bank to buy a house

　　?shortage (n); short (adj) – not enough

　　?migrants – people who move here from another country; immigrants

　　?density – more people for every square kilometre

　　?expand – grow, get bigger

　　?narrow – not wide

　　?infrastructure – system of facilities and services so that a city can function

　　?sewage – pipes to carry waste from the bath, toilet etc

　　?tradesmen – e.g. builders, electricians, plumbers³

　　?rebuilding – building the city again

　　?surrounding – all around

　　?red zone – area damaged by earthquakes

1 density   

n.密集，密度，浓度

参考例句：

• The population density of that country is 685 per square mile.那个国家的人口密度为每平方英里685人。
• The region has a very high population density.该地区的人口密度很高。

2 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

3 plumbers   

n.管子工，水暖工( plumber的名词复数 )；[美][口]（防止泄密的）堵漏人员

参考例句：

• Plumbers charge by the hour for their work. 水管工人的工作是以小时收费的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Plumbers, carpenters, and other workmen finished the new house quickly. 管道工、木工及其他工匠很快完成了这幢新房子。 来自辞典例句