Leaky Homes Symptomatic Of A Heartless Government

New Zealand First MP Brent Catchpole, a member of the Government Administration Select Committee investigating the Weathertightness of Buildings, has expressed deep concern at the antics of the Building Industry Authority.

“It is incredible that on the eve of the release of a damning report regarding the BIA’s handling of the leaky homes issue, the CEO has been permitted to stand down and immediately take on a role as the Senior Adviser to the Authority,” said Mr Catchpole.

“I am further angered by the Government’s lack of resolve to deal with the scandal in a way which could provide real relief for the many New Zealanders who must now live in substandard homes, and at the unwillingness of the Government to urgently bring forward legislation that would stop the legal gymnastics being practiced by these companies and individuals responsible for the shoddy designs and building methods or materials used in the first place.

“Developers are evading their responsibilities by methods such as liquidating Company A and immediately re-establishing as Company B, thereby removing the ability of those whose homes have been subjected to shoddy construction from taking action against those responsible. This is an outrage.

“The Government must now extend its interest to the leaky homes issue with a view to making sure those responsible are held to account and home owners are given the ability to seek redress,” concluded Mr Catchpole.

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