7444 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing

7444 (2026). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Associate Minister of Housing: What assurances can the Minister give that Kāinga Ora tenants — many of whom are in vulnerable financial situations — are not being pressured into repayment agreements for costs they are not legally liable for?

Hon Tama Potaka: Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities advises me that a tenant should not be charged for costs they are not legally liable for. If a tenant is charged for something that they do not believe they are legally liable for, Kāinga Ora encourages the tenant to work with them to resolve the issue, which may include mediation or the tenancy tribunal. In circumstances where the tenant is charged for costs they are legally liable for, Kāinga Ora has guidelines that inform its action for recovering debt. This includes a focus first on full and regular payment of rent, followed by recovery of rent arrears, and then any damage debt.