55499 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Housing

55499 (2025). Hon Kieran McAnulty to the Minister of Housing: Has Kāinga Ora conducted any assessment of the impact on any families, elderly tenants, or disabled tenants who are required to leave their homes during the Christmas period?

Hon Chris Bishop: Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities advises me that it issues operational guidelines to its frontline staff in early December regarding terminations over the Christmas period, which typically includes not terminating tenancies during the period between 22 December and 5 January. Kāinga Ora, recognises that as a part of its approach under its Tenancy Management Framework, uses the following case-by-case approach to support a tenant and their household to move on from a Kāinga Ora home, when it is safe to do so. Where Kainga Ora identifies a vulnerability factor for a tenant or their household, it refers the tenant to an appropriate provider(s). The tenant does not have to secure alternative housing before Kāinga Ora proceeds to end the tenancy. If there is a high risk to life from homelessness (e.g. medically dependent on electricity) Kāinga Ora works with the tenant and their household and providers to assist them to secure accommodation before ending the tenancy. Where there is no vulnerability factor or the tenant is disengaged, at a minimum, Kāinga Ora will inform the tenant and their household of potential accommodation options. This is also my response to WPQ 55500 (2025).