Dear Minister Wood,
CC: Minister Megan Woods, Prime Minister Hipkins
Congratulations on your appointment as Minister for Auckland. As the effects of the flood start to become less visible, community groups like ours around the city are working tirelessly to provide the best support we can.
For many people in Tāmaki Makaurau their largest expense is rent. With less than a week passing since the floods we are already seeing property investment groups preparing to increase rents for communities devastated by flooding. While renters are struggling to clean and repair their homes, and get kai back on the table, the last thing they need is the looming threat of yet another rent increase.
An historic and continuing under investment in public housing has led to a sector that puts profit before people, but it’s not too late to put communities first.
There is no better time than now to recognise the difficulties facing families in Auckland, to ensure housing doesn’t become even more unaffordable.
We, the undersigned, are calling on you, as the Minister for Auckland, to put your communities first in response to the flooding by putting a temporary freeze on rent increases.
It’s been done before during the COVID pandemic, and we can do this again. Together as a community we can focus on getting Tāmaki Makaurau back on its feet and rebuilding a city that puts its people first.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Renters United
ActionStation Aotearoa
Citizens Advice Bureau
Auckland Action Against Poverty
Sunday Blessings
Disabled Persons Assembly
The Salvation Army New Zealand
Manaaki Rangatahi
Auckland University of Technology Students’ Association
Auckland University Students’ Association
New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations
Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association
New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
Tenants Protection Association Auckland
Poverty Action Waikato
Child Poverty Action Group
Methodist Alliance
FinCap
Save the Children NZ
Public Housing Futures
Massey Community Trust
Ngāti Ranginui Iwi Society
Manawatu Tenants Union
Community Law Centres Aotearoa
