Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Broaden terms of Housing NZ boarder review

Broaden terms of Housing NZ boarder review

National Party Housing spokesman Phil Heatley is urging the Minister to broaden the terms of a review into the circumstances and number of state house tenants with paying boarders.

Housing New Zealand has confirmed a review is taking place as part of a wider review of the Accommodation Supplement. The Minister had earlier said there is no need for any investigation.

Housing New Zealand has also admitted providing the media with incorrect information about the number of state house tenants with boarders. It released a figure of 1109. The Minister later confirmed 6,931 as the answer.

“With nearly 7000 state house tenants declaring they have boarders, and no penalties for those who don’t declare, the Minister and his Department may still be underestimating the figures.

“What’s also of concern, is that Housing NZ doesn’t appear to share its information about boarders with Inland Revenue. Surely the Minister of Housing and the Minister of Revenue must want to know whether tax avoidance is an issue here?

“Taxpayers need to know the system is not being abused, and the Minister needs to ensure that any review is transparent and the public are given all the facts.

"I'm confident the Government will uncover that there are many more tenants who have not bothered to declare boarders and that this is a bigger scam than the department or the Minister is willing to admit to," says Mr Heatley.

Ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.