There seem to be three main points of view when it comes to the Government’s crackdown on cruddy state housing tenants.

We’ve got some people living in Kāinga Ora properties saying they don’t think much will change because we’ve been too soft, for too long.

The Green Party isn't happy. It’s describing the crackdown as “politics of punishment”. They say it will do irreparable damage to communities that have been letdown time and time again by successive governments.   

The Housing Minister, though, he’s not apologising.

Chris Bishop says having a state house is a privilege that should be taken away if it's abused. And who’s going to argue with that? I’m not anyway.

Because, as the Prime Minister said yesterday, we’ve all heard horror stories about state housing tenants who are abusive, violent, and have the people next door living in fear.

And the numbers Chris Bishop talked about yesterday don't tell a great story. 335 serious complaints per month - including intimidation, harassment, and threatening behaviour. And, last year, only three tenancies were ended because of disruptive behaviour.

As he says: “At a time when there are over 25,000 people on the social housing waitlist, Kāinga Ora should not be prioritising tenants who abuse their home or their neighbours above families who are anxiously waiting for a home.”

But as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was saying on Newstalk ZB this morning, the last government seemed happy to turn a blind eye to people who abuse their state house and the people around them. He said the policy was to keep people in state houses no matter what.

It’s worth noting that this policy of keeping people in state houses was something a previous National government brought in. But, to Chris Bishop and the Government’s credit, they’ve admitted that that didn’t work.

The Greens, though, aren't happy. They seem to think that it’s ok to allow people to stay in their state horse even if they treat it like rubbish or treat their neighbours like rubbish.

And I kind of get where they’re coming from, saying it’s the kids who will suffer if their cruddy parents are kicked out.

And, yes, it will mean —for some kids anyway— that their families have to find somewhere else to stay. That is, of course, if Kāinga Ora does what the Government is telling it to do.

Because it doesn’t seem to have been very good at dealing to lousy tenants up until now. That stat from the Housing Minister proves that - 335 serious complaints of intimidation, harassment, and threatening behaviour per month. And, last year, only three tenants kicked out.

And I see some tenants are saying today that they don’t think much is going to change because Kainga Ora has been too soft, too long.

But let’s assume that Kāinga Ora does start evicting people who should be making space for genuine, decent people needing a roof over their head. If it does do that then, yes, what the Greens are saying will happen. To a certain degree.

And, as one architecture and planning expert is saying this morning, evicting bad tenants from state houses will just push the problem somewhere else.

But should that concern take precedence over the wellbeing of people who are living in fear and misery because some low-lifes have been allowed to stay in these properties way longer than they should have? I don’t think so.

And what about concerns about families being homeless because one or both of their parents —and maybe their kids too— have behaved appallingly? Should concerns about them not having somewhere to stay take precedence over the people affected by their behaviour? Of course not.

That’s reality. And, in my view, reality has been a long time coming for these muppets. Thankfully, the Government is getting real. Let’s hope Kāinga Ora gets the message and delivers.

There seem to be three main points of view when it comes to the Government’s crackdown on cruddy state housing tenants. 
We’ve got some people living in Kāinga Ora properties saying they don’t think much will change because we’ve been too soft, for too long. 
The Green Party isn't happy. It’s describing the crackdown as “politics of punishment”. They say it will do irreparable damage to communities that have been letdown time and time again by successive governments.    
The Housing Minister, though, he’s not apologising. 
Chris Bishop says having a state house is a privilege that should be taken away if it's abused. And who’s going to argue with that? I’m not anyway. 
Because, as the Prime Minister said yesterday, we’ve all heard horror stories about state housing tenants who are abusive, violent, and have the people next door living in fear. 
And the numbers Chris Bishop talked about yesterday don't tell a great story. 335 serious complaints per month - including intimidation, harassment, and threatening behaviour. And, last year, only three tenancies were ended because of disruptive behaviour. 
As he says: “At a time when there are over 25,000 people on the social housing waitlist, Kāinga Ora should not be prioritising tenants who abuse their home or their neighbours above families who are anxiously waiting for a home.” 
But as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was saying on Newstalk ZB this morning, the last government seemed happy to turn a blind eye to people who abuse their state house and the people around them. He said the policy was to keep people in state houses no matter what. 
It’s worth noting that this policy of keeping people in state houses was something a previous National government brought in. But, to Chris Bishop and the Government’s credit, they’ve admitted that that didn’t work. 
The Greens, though, aren't happy. They seem to think that it’s ok to allow people to stay in their state horse even if they treat it like rubbish or treat their neighbours like rubbish. 
And I kind of get where they’re coming from, saying it’s the kids who will suffer if their cruddy parents are kicked out. 
And, yes, it will mean —for some kids anyway— that their families have to find somewhere else to stay. That is, of course, if Kāinga Ora does what the Government is telling it to do. 
Because it doesn’t seem to have been very good at dealing to lousy tenants up until now. That stat from the Housing Minister proves that - 335 serious complaints of intimidation, harassment, and threatening behaviour per month. And, last year, only three tenants kicked out. 
And I see some tenants are saying today that they don’t think much is going to change because Kainga Ora has been too soft, too long. 
But let’s assume that Kāinga Ora does start evicting people who should be making space for genuine, decent people needing a roof over their head. If it does do that then, yes, what the Greens are saying will happen. To a certain degree. 
And, as one architecture and planning expert is saying this morning, evicting bad tenants from state houses will just push the problem somewhere else. 
But should that concern take precedence over the wellbeing of people who are living in fear and misery because some low-lifes have been allowed to stay in these properties way longer than they should have? I don’t think so. 
And what about concerns about families being homeless because one or both of their parents —and maybe their kids too— have behaved appallingly? Should concerns about them not having somewhere to stay take precedence over the people affected by their behaviour? Of course not. 
That’s reality. And, in my view, reality has been a long time coming for these muppets. Thankfully, the Government is getting real. Let’s hope Kāinga Ora gets the message and delivers.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

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Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.