Latest news with #TamaPotaka
Scoop
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
King's Birthday Honours Recognise Significant Contributions Of Māori
Press Release – New Zealand Government The impressive mahi of Mori recipients this year are too numerous to mention. They have been honoured for achievements across many fields it is my privilege to recognise all of them today and to highlight just some examples, Mori Development … Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today recognises the significant achievements of the Māori recipients in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours List, for their dedicated mahi and outstanding contributions across various important areas. 'The impressive mahi of Māori recipients this year are too numerous to mention. They have been honoured for achievements across many fields, coming from Iwi right across New Zealand – it is my privilege to recognise all of them today and to highlight just some examples,' Mr Potaka says. 'The King's Birthday Honours recognise the commitment and the passion that the recipients have shown, along with what has come from their dedication to their work and their causes. 'Among those recognised are, Mrs Deborah (Debbie) Davis, who has done extensive work to bring so much good, including through He Iwi Kotahi Tātou Trust, the grassroots organisation transforming the community of Moerewa in Northland, along with her husband, Mr Ngahau Davis (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Manu, Kohatutaka) 'Mrs Davis (Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāti Kahungunu) has worked, through the Trust since 1987, to address challenges including housing, food security within the community, and youth engagement. Her and her husband's work helped to provide insulation and heating solutions to more than 12,000 Northland homes since 2008. 'They have developed food rescue programmes and have introduced cultural and sports programmes that blend physical activity with the preservation of Māori traditions. They have expanded whānau support services to offer counselling, school programmes, and drug and alcohol programmes. Over the past 15 years, they have been involved in the establishment of a rehabilitative-focused sentencing in Kaikohe, Matariki Court. 'Hon Dover Samuels is recognised for services as a Member of Parliament and his achievements and what he progressed in that time, including as Minister of Māori Affairs. 'Mr Samuels (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kura, Ngāti Rēhia) was a Labour MP and MP for Te Tai Tokerau, working across various portfolios, including not least Māori Affairs, where his care and ability made considerable gains that continue to benefit Māori today. He also helped establish Rawini Health Hub for a rural Māori community and led the Rainbow Warrior project to sink the wreckage of the vessel and erect a memorial on Matauri Hill. He is kaumatua of several organisations. 'Mrs Elizabeth (Liz) Graham, who has dedicated more than 40 years to her community and to Māori education. 'Mrs Graham (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Toroiwahi), has contributed to her community in many ways – that includes through the education of our tamariki and to the education sector through many roles across her career, work she continues today as a teacher at Te Aute College. She helped guide her community through the Treaty Settlement process, and her knowledge of traditions, values, and customs, has helped the marae in hosting funerals, weddings, gatherings, and other events for over 20 years. 'The Honourable Sir Mark Cooper KC, High Court Judge, Court of Appeal Judge and President of the Court of Appeal, who was Chairperson of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes. Sir Mark (Ngāti Mahanga, Waikato-Tainui) chaired 33 public hearings to deliver four reports, all of these under intense time pressure and public scrutiny. The detailed findings and recommendations of those reports helped avoid delay to the Canterbury rebuild and helped provide a resolution to the community. Amongst some of his other work has been his leadership in resource management and local government law, and his work that helped integrate various councils into one North Shore-based Council. I want to thank all of today's recipients, those mentioned here and all others who I trust will be celebrated by their people and their communities, and all the people who have worked with them along the way. 'Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.'
1News
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.'
