Latest news with #Potaka
1News
01-06-2025
- General
- 1News
Sixty-three Kāinga Ora tenancies terminated amid crackdown on bad behaviour
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka has lauded a Government directive to crack down on abusive Kāinga Ora tenants as a success, citing improved tenant behaviour. Potaka said in a release that in Kāinga Ora's Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which was ended in March last year, had effectively allowed tenants to stay in a Kāinga Ora home regardless of abusive or disruptive activity. "Living in a taxpayer-funded social house is a privilege. The vast majority of social housing tenants are respectful of their home and courteous to their neighbours, but unfortunately they are let down by a small minority who threaten and abuse their neighbours or wilfully damage their home," Potaka said. In the past 10 months, 63 Kāinga Ora tenancies had been terminated as a result of abusive, threatening, or persistently disruptive behaviour, Potaka said. There had also been a 600% increase in formal warnings when compared to the previous financial year, with 1463 issued in 2024/25 so far. ADVERTISEMENT "Around 80% of warnings – known as section 55a notices – have been first notices and 18% were second notices. Third notices, which can trigger the end of a tenancy, made up just 2% of warnings," he said. "I'm also pleased to see that the time taken to address complaints to Kāinga Ora about tenant behaviour has reduced significantly. In January 2024 it took an average of 60 days to take action in response to a complaint. In April 2025 it had reduced to less than 12 days." This data showed that tenants were taking the warnings seriously, Potaka said. "The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesn't improve."
Scoop
01-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Focus On Unruly Tenants Brushes Up Behaviour
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesnt improve. Associate Minister of Housing A Government directive to take firmer action against abusive Kāinga Ora tenants has led to consequences for threatening and abusive behaviour, and improved tenant behaviour as a result, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. In March 2024, Ministers instructed Kāinga Ora to end its Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which had allowed tenants to stay living in a Kāinga Ora home no matter how abusive or disruptive their behaviour. 'Living in a taxpayer-funded social house is a privilege. The vast majority of social housing tenants are respectful of their home and courteous to their neighbours, but unfortunately they are let down by a small minority who threaten and abuse their neighbours or wilfully damage their home. Our Government campaigned on focussing in on these unruly tenants, and new data shows our approach is leading to improved behaviour,' Mr Potaka says. 'Over the past 10 months, 63 tenancies have been terminated for abusive, threatening, or persistent disruptive behaviour. This compares to 11 tenancies being ended for disruptive behaviour in the previous financial year, and only two in the financial year before that under the previous Government. 'Formal warnings for tenants whose behaviour is putting their tenancy at risk have increased by more than 600 per cent compared to the previous financial year, with 1,463 being issued in 2024/25 so far. 'Around 80 per cent of warnings – known as section 55a notices – have been first notices and 18 per cent were second notices. Third notices, which can trigger the end of a tenancy, made up just two per cent of warnings. 'I'm also pleased to see that the time taken to address complaints to Kāinga Ora about tenant behaviour has reduced significantly. In January 2024 it took an average of 60 days to take action in response to a complaint. In April 2025 it had reduced to less than 12 days. 'This data shows that the vast majority of disruptive tenants are taking the notices seriously and changing their behaviour to prevent receiving a second or third notice. And where they don't change their behaviour, we're no longer putting up with it. 'There are whānau who have been living in angst from their neighbours abusing the privilege of a taxpayer funded home, so we've taken swift action to get on top of it. 'The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesn't improve. 'I thank Kāinga Ora staff for their work to improve tenant behaviour, particularly noting that in doing so they have to navigate some very challenging situations. We look forward to further improvements in this space.'
NZ Herald
01-06-2025
- NZ Herald
Kāinga Ora sees 600% rise in warnings under new tenant crackdown
By Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says a Government directive to crack down on abusive Kāinga Ora tenants has been a success, citing improved tenant behaviour. Potaka said Kāinga Ora's Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which was ended in March last year, had effectively allowed tenants to
Scoop
01-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Focus On Unruly Tenants Brushes Up Behaviour
Associate Minister of Housing A Government directive to take firmer action against abusive Kāinga Ora tenants has led to consequences for threatening and abusive behaviour, and improved tenant behaviour as a result, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. In March 2024, Ministers instructed Kāinga Ora to end its Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which had allowed tenants to stay living in a Kāinga Ora home no matter how abusive or disruptive their behaviour. 'Living in a taxpayer-funded social house is a privilege. The vast majority of social housing tenants are respectful of their home and courteous to their neighbours, but unfortunately they are let down by a small minority who threaten and abuse their neighbours or wilfully damage their home. Our Government campaigned on focussing in on these unruly tenants, and new data shows our approach is leading to improved behaviour,' Mr Potaka says. 'Over the past 10 months, 63 tenancies have been terminated for abusive, threatening, or persistent disruptive behaviour. This compares to 11 tenancies being ended for disruptive behaviour in the previous financial year, and only two in the financial year before that under the previous Government. 'Formal warnings for tenants whose behaviour is putting their tenancy at risk have increased by more than 600 per cent compared to the previous financial year, with 1,463 being issued in 2024/25 so far. 'Around 80 per cent of warnings – known as section 55a notices – have been first notices and 18 per cent were second notices. Third notices, which can trigger the end of a tenancy, made up just two per cent of warnings. 'I'm also pleased to see that the time taken to address complaints to Kāinga Ora about tenant behaviour has reduced significantly. In January 2024 it took an average of 60 days to take action in response to a complaint. In April 2025 it had reduced to less than 12 days. 'This data shows that the vast majority of disruptive tenants are taking the notices seriously and changing their behaviour to prevent receiving a second or third notice. And where they don't change their behaviour, we're no longer putting up with it. 'There are whānau who have been living in angst from their neighbours abusing the privilege of a taxpayer funded home, so we've taken swift action to get on top of it. 'The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesn't improve. 'I thank Kāinga Ora staff for their work to improve tenant behaviour, particularly noting that in doing so they have to navigate some very challenging situations. We look forward to further improvements in this space.'
NZ Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Government boosts support for Māori Wardens with $1.5 million funding increase
'There are now over 500 wardens supporting New Zealanders every day with everything from engaging with our rangatahi and keeping them in school to de-escalating conflict,' Potaka said. He added that the new funding recognises the value of the wardens' volunteer work and aims to bolster their ability to continue serving communities effectively. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters called Māori Wardens 'a huge asset to New Zealand's social cohesion and the prevention of social dislocation before it happens.' He said the funding uplift was not just financial, but also a recognition of their contribution to society. The announcement delivers on a commitment made in the coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello highlighted the trusted role Māori Wardens play in their communities. 'They are trusted community members who can help whānau, deter crime and allow Police to focus on their core functions,' Costello said. She added that the funding would support their continued presence at key events such as Waitangi Day and Poukai, where their calm and familiar presence is especially valued. The Māori Wardens programme, largely staffed by volunteers, supports a range of initiatives including youth mentorship, food distribution, and community liaison work.
