Thousands of Kainga Ora tenants appear before Tenancy Tribunal

Thousands of Kainga Ora tenants are ending up at the Tenancy Tribunal as the department continues its "firm but fair" approach to managing tenancies.

The tribunal deals with just under 30,000 cases a year. Kainga Ora said in the 2024/2025 year, 6108 of those were instigated by it. The following year, it was 5154.

About 20 percent of applications were withdrawn because a resolution was reached.

"In 2024, we implemented a new firm but fair approach to managing tenancies. Our job is to provide tenants with a stable home for as long as they need it. In return, we expect them to be good tenants and neighbours," a spokesperson said.

"By setting clear expectations, acting early, and consistently using the tools available under the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) we are resolving many tenancy issues before they escalate."

Green Party spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March said Kainga Ora and the government should be focusing on building more public housing and providing support for tenants to be able to remain housed, rather than finding ways to leave people "without a stable roof over their heads".

"If a tenant is struggling, Kainga Ora needs to have genuinely exhausted all their options and ensured that they have support available for people before potentially leaving them homeless through a tribunal process."

Sometimes, the department was taking action over anti-social behaviour.

In recent weeks, cases dealt with by the tribunal included a Christchurch tenancy terminated on the grounds of antisocial behaviour. The man had tried to start a physical flight with a neighbour in front of the man's grandchildren and told him to "sleep with one eye open". When staff arrived at the property to talk to the tenant about his behaviour, he swore at them.

The tenant argued he had mental health issues after the death of his father and a motor vehicle accident.

In another case, a tenant was told her tenancy would end if she did not remove her friend's dogs. A neighbour said one of the dogs bit their father-in-law and he required medical treatment.

Other times, it was due to rent arrears. One Papatoetoe tenant left a tenancy owing just over $2000 and was ordered to pay it. Another tenant was told to pay 65 payments of $108 to clear rent arrears and debt for a Mt Albert property.

Sometimes, tenants are taking their own action. In one case, the tenant was awarded $400 in compensation for breaches of her right to quiet enjoyment after problems with plumbing and water temperature.

Kainga Ora manages about 78,000 properties. There are about 440,000 homes in private rental arrangements.

In general, landlords instigate the bulk of Tenancy Tribunal applications, and the majority are for rent arrears.

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