Sit-in occupation to stop Niki’s Eviction

On Tuesday 24 January, the Tāmaki Redevelopment Company hopes to issue a Possession Order for 14 Taniwha Street, Glen Innes.

This will give them the ability to forcibly evict Ioela ‘Niki’ Rauti who has lived at 14 Taniwha Street for 21 years.

To prevent bailiffs and police from evicting Niki on Tuesday, a sit-in by supporters will be held from 9am onwards at 14 Taniwha Street.

Niki is a former truck driver and chef. She originally moved into the former state house to care for her ill mother. Niki has a heart condition that is not going to change. She has said she does not want to be a transient tenant. Some families in Glen Innes have already been relocated twice since the redevelopment began.

TRC will not be building social or affordable houses on Niki’s section. Niki says, “These will be mansions, they are not for the ordinary person.”

TRC have offered her another house which is up several flights of stairs that she cannot climb.

Last week on the 17 January, a March to Occupy demonstration drew hundreds from the community and supporters from other parts of the city in support of Niki. Organisers of this sit-in intend to do the same on Tuesday and will oppose Niki’s eviction by any means necessary.

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