To all Property Managers and owners of rentals
Just because a Property Manager/owners of a rental can increase the rent once a year doesn't mean they have to. Contrary to their belief that WINZ will cover the increase, this is a false belief. If a pensioner/renter lives in Otaki they only get $80 a week maximum on the Accommodation Support. If need be WINZ may add a top-up on the Temporary Assistance Support. BUT .. they do not cover all the rent. In Waikanae the renter/pensioner gets $100 on Accommodation and a small top-up on Temporary Assistance if they qualify. It is NOT a given. For most pensioners all of their Super goes on the rent and when this happens that is when they can get the Accommodation Supplement and maybe the Temporary Supplement. Which by the way is not Temporary unless by some miracle the rent is reduced. I will not hold my breath waiting to hear social housing or more affordable properties are available. Kainga Ora has bought a few parcels of land but building will not happen for at least three years on some sections and why they are holding off on other parcels of other land just frustrates me.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.