Social objectives of Housing NZ to be enshrined in legislation

Enshrining its social objectives in legislation will ensure the organization remains the compassionate landlord it has become. Housing NZ is on track to become a world-class landlord,” Phil Twyford said.

Housing NZ’s new social objectives to provide decent housing, be a fair and compassionate landlord and to help sustain tenancies will be enshrined in legislation, Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford has announced.

The organization will also no longer be required to return a surplus to the Government.

“Housing NZ is a very different organization under the helm of chief executive Andrew McKenzie and under our Government,” Phil Twyford says.

“It is already offering pastoral care to help tenants stay in their homes, allowing tenants to have pets, and treating drug addiction as a health issue.

“Following yesterday’s release of its report into methamphetamine contamination, it is timely for Housing NZ to now focus on the eight new social objectives set by the Government.

“These include providing good quality, warm, dry, and healthy rental housing for those who need it most, and being a fair and reasonable landlord, treating tenants and their neighbors with respect, integrity, and honesty.

“Changing the presumption that Housing NZ will return a surplus will give the organization more financial flexibility so it can build more state houses and invest in more support for their tenants.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew McKenzie for the leadership he has shown over the meth testing issue and to thank Housing NZ’s staff for the work they do. Housing NZ was let down by the Government of the day on this and this was particularly difficult for frontline workers who believed they were doing the right thing for the right reason.

“Enshrining its social objectives in legislation will ensure the organization remains the compassionate landlord it has become. Housing NZ is on track to become a world-class landlord,” Phil Twyford said.

(With inputs from New Zealand Government press release)