67949 (2024). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Housing

67949 (2024). Tamatha Paul to the Minister of Housing: What correspondence, if any, has the Minister had with WINZ and Corrections in relation to the accusation that they were recommending clients move into illegal boarding houses in Auckland as of June 2024?

Hon Chris Bishop: I have not had any correspondence with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) or the Department of Corrections (Corrections) regarding these concerns. However, HUD officials have noted verbally to me that concerns were being raised by Corrections staff about issues with boarding houses that they were inspecting. I am advised that MBIE Tenancy Services have ongoing interactions with both MSD and Corrections to ensure as far as possible that clients live in properties which comply with the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 and undertake property visits where there is evidence of non-compliance.