Govt needs to change caculations of rent for HNZ

Mike from Mount Roskill

I have been a tenant of HNZ for the last 17 years, and basically have had hard times over the years. We’ve always managed to keep ourselves above water and always thankful to our Lord for what He provides us with. The Covid-19 post era has begun to leave a dim view of the horizon on how this country including my friends, families and my neighbours are finding it tough to trek through all the frustrations, economically and financially. Their faces don’t have to say it, but its all over the media of the hard times we are all going through. My point is, for all the Tenants living in HNZ, are probably facing the same frustrations every year of rental cost going up. Just this year, I actually sat down and did the maths and my rent had actually gone up 60%, a massive increase from the previous years. If the Govt wants to help with poverty stricken families or those whom will be facing hardship in the future, they should really start by looking into this so-called, out-dated formula which is used to calculate a families rent for todays society. Sooner or later families in HNZ will struggle to rent homes and maybe end up living with relatives or on the street. Like I said before, I’ve been a tenant with HNZ for 17 years and I have not once received and email or letter stating changes to be made as calculations of rent. Its about time the Govt should take into consideration the finances of any family renting with HNZ and do new calculations to best fit with families needing help. Isn’t that the reason HNZ was designed for; low income families. I ain’t rich, but the home is heart of any family.