Annette King
Housing Spokesperson

27 February 2012

‘Smarter, faster, fairer’ – what a joke

Housing New Zealand is the latest victim of National’s love affair with call centres, says Labour’s Housing spokesperson Annette King.

“The introduction of an 0800 number for Housing New Zealand tenants is evidence of yet another slogan-driven policy from the National Government.

“The policy, actually titled ‘smarter, faster, fairer’, takes both the ‘public’ and the ‘service’ out of public service,” Annette King said.

“Replacing personal contact with a face-less, automated phone system cannot possibly address the complexity of issues tenants face.

“Phil Heatley’s message seems to be, ‘if you have a problem with your tenancy, don’t worry; our hold music will calm you down’. That is, of course, if you have access to a phone line.

“The minister, like several others, is too gutless to front the policy, blaming bureaucrats and calling the latest changes ‘operational’.

“Complaints have been flooding in about this new ‘service’. Fears are things will only get worse,” Annette King said.

“This is simply another top-down, cost-cutting measure from a government with little understanding of the complex situations tenants find themselves in.

“Phil Heatley is the latest minster too scared to stand behind his policy.

“My message is simple; a stable home is central to a family’s well-being. That stability deserves to be supported by more than an 0800 number,” Annette King said.

ENDS

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