Press release - 3pm, March 6, 2014

Tamaki Housing Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Glen Innes protests the HNZ evictions

"No more evictions!" is the tagline in the working class community of Glen Innes.

The community marches tonight in response to intimidation tactics used to pressure Housing New Zealand tenants out of their homes including harassment and the 90 day eviction notices.

These have resulted in dozens of families being evicted out of the community they have called home for decades. Glen Innes was created after WWII as a community for retired servicemen who fought in the war. Houses that are now being auctioned off were promised to them and their families for life.

New legislation designed to gentrify Glen Innes ("the bays") comes into effect in April. It moves tenants managed by HNZ over to WINZ. This move will enable more scrutiny over income and benefits they receive in a time of high unemployment and low wages. Families that have lived in the same house for decades have paid more than the cost of their home to HNZ. This legislation will shut down any conversations the public could have about the right-to-buy state houses.

The government escalated their slanderous accusations with new HNZ CEO Glen Sowry stating that state housing tenants have cost “tens of millions” in damage. This ignores the negligence on HNZ behalf to look after their housing stock and comes at a strategic time where the government wants to wipe state housing from our history.

These empty claims are a distraction tactic ("wolf whistling") used to demonise some of the poorest families in our society as well as detract from calls to build more houses and support families in their struggle to provide a better future for their children and support their elders, their sick and disabled, and their community.

The community is gathering at 16 Taniwha street, Glen Innes at 6pm tonight.

All are welcome, nau mai, haere mai!

ENDS

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