Evictions on the rise as government cracks down on disruptive Kāinga Ora tenants

Housing Minister Chris Bishop has announced an increase in evictions of unruly tenants from state housing managed by Kāinga Ora.

Following the government’s directive in March to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and implement stricter management of disruptive tenants, the past three months have seen fourteen tenancies terminated for bad behaviour or persistent rent arrears, a significant rise from the eight evictions in all of 2023.

Bishop told state media there was a need for consequences for those who disturb their neighbors, highlighting that the new disruptive behaviour policy facilitates quicker eviction processes. The issuance of Section 55A formal warning notices has also surged, with eighty notices given in the recent quarter compared to thirteen in the same period last year.

Bishop pointed out the pressing demand for social housing, with 24,000 families on the waitlist and over 2,000 living in emergency motels, stressing the importance of maintaining respectful community standards.

The Citizens Advice Bureau has noted a rise in eviction-related inquiries, indicating the complex underlying issues, including mental health and addiction, that often accompany problematic behaviour.

Bishop anticipates that the eviction rate will eventually decline as tenants adapt to the stricter policies. While the National Party supports the crackdown, aiming to protect well-behaved tenants, the Greens have criticised the move as harsh. Tenants have expressed mixed reactions, reflecting broader debates on the balance between community safety and the needs of vulnerable individuals.