“I have become a vexatious emailer, I think, to the Minister [of Housing Chris Bishop] and all and sundry concerned about the behaviour of some of the tenants across there.
“It’s no surprise that while property is doing well in New Plymouth and Taranaki, properties have been selling well below RV in and around those flats. It’s been a disgrace, and I’m keen to see it sorted.”
Kāinga Ora has confirmed it is putting the 1940s vintage flats on the market.
One of Peter Tennent’s developments which will house an apartment overlooking the ocean. Photo / RNZ, Rob Martin
Tennent had gone so far as to make a bid for the properties – four of which had recently been boarded up.
“I’ve made an offer on the land myself, but that will go through due process. It’s fair to say my offer included a significant amount for community good, as opposed to value of the property, but I just want to see it sorted.
“Now, whether it’s us or someone else that sorts it, I don’t really mind. Kāinga Ora, whether they can have some good tenants in there, that would be great, but what was in place was totally unacceptable.”
He said if successful he would develop apartments and sell them off.
A tenant of the remaining Kāinga Ora flats, who preferred not to give his name, had been told he had to move out.
“They going to be sold off and demolished because he doesn’t want his new tenants and new flash penthouses having to look at them and that’s ridiculous.”
The man in his 60s, who lived with a terminal illness, said Kāinga Ora had been trying to relocate him.
“They wanted to offer me one place on Seaview Road but that’s been deemed medically too cold and unfit for someone in my condition and then they offered me Dawson Street [a new development], but three days later it was already gone.
“Then it was this one up here [St Aubyn Street] where units are being built. And then suddenly it’s not going to be November, it’s going to be February. Then it’s not going to be February, it’s going to be March.”
Graeme Broderick, Kāinga Ora regional director for Taranaki, confirmed all the flats were about to be sold.
The boarded up flats on Dawson Street have sea views and are neighboured by modern townhouses. Photo / RNZ, Rob Martin
“Kāinga Ora will sell two four-unit blocks on Dawson and St Aubyn streets in central New Plymouth as they are no longer suitable for social housing. Proceeds will be reinvested in delivering new, warm, dry homes elsewhere.
“One block is already empty and secured, and we’re helping tenants in the other block move to other Kāinga Ora homes. Once all tenants are rehoused, the properties will go on the open market.”
He said the move was in line with Kāinga Ora policy.
“The decision to sell reflects the age and location of the units, redevelopment potential, and property value. We’ve also considered the availability of suitable housing for affected tenants.”
The remaining flats on St Aubyn Street. Photo / RNZ, Rob Martin
Broderick confirmed Kāinga Ora ended one tenancy in the units because the tenant repeatedly breached their obligations.
The social housing provider had recently delivered 14 new one-bedroom homes at 55 Dawson St nearby, and had another 16 one-bedroom homes currently under construction on St Aubyn St, among other developments in the pipeline for New Plymouth.
-RNZ