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Regional | Local

Glen Innes state house tennants refuse to budge

This comes after plans for the houses replacing state houses in their area were revealed last night.

After living in the area for over 40 years, the Kanuta family have been told by Housing NZ they must be out by July 1.

A long time resident in the area Cameron Kanuta says the response is simple “we are not moving, its as simple as that”.

They are one of nine families still living in their state houses that have been set for redevelopment, as part of the Glen Innes redevelopment project.

Mr Kanuta says he believes the Government is “picking on the poor people and bringing in the rich”.

This is one of the 18 sites where 49 new houses will be built, and 24 of those will be state houses.

It's meant to provide compact living with a mix of state, private and affordable homes, but price tags range from $400,000 to $700,000.

According to Liz Villi, “no one in the area could afford that price ever, not in their dreams they couldn’t.”

Housing Minister, Nick Smith, says there is a housing crisis in Auckland and this redevelopment is a positive step forward.

The new houses will be built along Eastview Rd, Apirana Ave and Castledine Cres are expected to be completed by the end of this year.