Family considers moving to double accommodation supplement
By David Hill, Local Democracy
A Pegasus mum says her accommodation supplement would almost double if she lived in the neighbouring Canterbury town of Woodend, just a few minutes down the road.
The woman, who Local Democracy Reporting agreed not to name, rents a three-bedroom house in Pegasus for herself and one child at $560 a week and receives an $80 accommodation supplement on top of her ACC payments.
If she lived in Woodend or Rangiora - 3km or 8km away - she would receive $155 a week.
Every area is divided into one of four accommodation supplement zones, which can determine how much support they can access.
‘‘When I first came here seven years ago the rent was $400 a week.
‘‘It has gone up by $60 a week in the last 12 months and the accommodation supplement doesn’t keep up with that.’’
She has been looking to move Woodend or Rangiora, but there are few rental properties available.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the accommodation supplement classifications were ‘‘completely out of date’’.
‘‘It is my understanding that the maximum payment setting for the accommodation supplement has only been reviewed twice in more than 20 years.
‘‘It has never cost so much to run a household and having the extra money in the accommodation supplement will be life changing for some people.’’
Gordon said he planned to raise the issue at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum.
A quick search on Trade Me found just 28 properties for rent in Pegasus, Woodend, Ravenswood, Rangiora and Kaiapoi with three or more bedrooms, all ranging between $540 and $680 a week.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has confirmed Pegasus is classified as ‘‘area 4’’, which is the lowest of four classifications.
‘‘Every town, city and rural area across New Zealand falls into one of four accommodation supplement areas,’’ general manager housing and employment Hayley Hamilton said.
The classifications were established in the Social Security Act 2018, when the Government updated accommodation supplement area boundaries and increased the payment rates, she said.
People living in ‘area 1’, including Auckland and Queenstown, may qualify for the highest maximum accommodation supplement weekly payments, while those living in ‘area 4’ qualify for the lowest rates.
Area 2 includes Christchurch, Rangiora, Woodend, Oxford and Amberley, while Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs are listed in area 3.
Hamilton said some people may quality for temporary additional support.
Any changes would be a decision for government ministers, she said.
In March, Social Development Minister Louise Upston announced she had commissioned advice on changes to the accommodation supplement.
It followed concerns the area classifications were not keeping up with urban growth in the Queenstown area.
‘‘The use of outdated geographic information and classifications by MSD has seen some households receive a lower accommodation supplement than they otherwise would,’’ Ms Upston said at the time.
‘‘The issue is particularly pronounced in Queenstown and exists in a small number of other areas where there has been rapid urban expansion.’’
There is no update on when this will be resolved, leaving people struggling to keep up with rising rents.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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77.9% Yes
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20.9% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
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Canterbury’s Woodend Bypass route confirmed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The route of the proposed Woodend Bypass in Canterbury has been confirmed - and it might look familiar to locals.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says it has decided the stick with the route which was first designated nine years ago.
Engineers reviewed the route after the Government gave them the green light in July to push ahead with plans.
The 9km stretch of road will provide an extension to the Christchurch northern corridor, otherwise known as the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has advocated for the project for several years and said he is thrilled at the latest announcements.
‘‘Many residents across the Waimakariri and further afield will be in no doubt about my passion for this project.
‘‘For far too long now, elderly residents of Woodend have missed medical appointments as they refuse to cross the main road due to safety concerns, and school children have run the gauntlet of getting to and from school.
‘‘Business owners have also suffered because customers refuse to stop on the main road due to traffic.’’
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it will be welcome news for local residents.
‘‘It has been a long time coming and the council has always been supportive of this project, so we are delighted that it is moving forward at the pace it is.’’
Last week, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to build an overpass to replace the Pegasus roundabout and provide better access for Pegasus, Ravenswood and Woodend residents.
He said NZTA will release a request for tender for detailed design and construction supervision this week.
The first stage of early works will likely begin in early 2026 with preparation for road widening to four lanes between Lineside Rd and Cam River, while the main physical works are expected to begin later in 2026.
An NZTA spokesperson said it is too soon for concept drawings to show what the Pegasus interchange will look like.
‘‘We’ll be able to share these as the designs progress during this next phase.’’
Details of how environmental challenges, such as two shingle pit lakes which have been created over the last decade, will be overcome have yet to be released.
Final costs have yet to be determined, but it is believed it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Woodend Bypass is one of the Government's first five roads of national significance.
The Government is considering roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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