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For immediate release

Rally to protest against State housing sell off in Maraenui

Tu Tangata Maraenui, a community group concerned with supporting the people of Maraenui, is holding a rally on Tuesday, 9 October, 5:30 pm at the Pulse Ministries in the Maraenui Shopping Centre, to protest against the emptying out, demolition and sell-off of State houses in the suburb. 60 houses are currently empty, waiting for demolition or sale, with another 40 soon to be emptied after tenants were recently given 90 day eviction notices because their homes are earthquake prone. The first of the empty homes, 1 Darwin Crescent, was taken off the property yesterday after being sold privately.

Ward councillor Maxine Boag said that the public need to know that the demolished homes are not going to be replaced by nice new State houses. As is happening in other parts of the country, the government has tightened criteria for state houses, and is selling off the homes and sections that they have emptied out to the private sector.

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