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Turia criticised over housing crisis

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Turia criticised over housing crisis

3News NZ

Tariana Turia (Photo: Victoria Evans)

Tariana Turia (Photo: Victoria Evans)

Government minister Tariana Turia must have been out of touch if she's only just discovered homeless families are being denied empty state houses, Labour says.

Mrs Turia, Associate Social Development Minister and co-leader of the Maori Party, said on Tuesday she was "shocked and angry" about the reports from community providers and was going to confront her senior colleagues.

"I've spoken to several Pasifika providers and they've told me rheumatic fever and skin infections are rampant in some of their communities but their families believe they have no choice but to live in overcrowded houses or sleep rough," she said.

Mrs Turia says state houses are vacant and she's going to take it up with Finance Minister Bill English, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett and Housing Minister Phil Heatley.

Labour's housing spokeswoman, Annette King, says Mrs Turia's concerns are nothing new to homeless people on waiting lists for state houses.

"I've been in Flaxmere and Maraenui today where state houses are either empty, demolished or being sold off," she said.

"Families here, who have had to double and treble up in a single household, don't have time for politicking. They need action."

Ms King says Mrs Turia has been in a position of power for a long time and until now has been "decidedly quiet" about the escalating housing crisis.

NZN

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Comments

5/09/2012 3:25:10 p.m.

Pat Magill wrote:

From a Maraenui,Ahuriri Napier thoe main problem seems to be,"If you are poor, you have no dignity, nor deserve consultation - "This Government will displace you, ensure you struggle harder to make ends meet.
Hon Bill English has no hope in closing prisons as too expensive,and do not work.

5/09/2012 1:28:59 p.m.

dave wrote:

Just because you are homeless, does not mean you are suitable for a state house. The tax payer is not there to give low lifes a roof over their heads. Houses are for those that need one,will look after it, pay their rent, and not annoy the neighbours.

5/09/2012 1:08:34 p.m.

james wrote:

Turia= big salaries,travel perks and gold plated super scheme, nothing else needs to be said she is out of touch with the poor in this country and talking a leaf from her white brother John Key.

5/09/2012 12:46:22 p.m.

out of touch wrote:

Mrs Turia should spend less time listening to National Party spin from the likes of Paula Bennett, Bill English and John Key and spend more time out on the road seeing what is really going on. The Maori Party have a crucial role to play in getting this govt to move away from its self-serving rich-boy policies and start listening to those who are being pushed further and further into depression and dispair. This govt will go down in history as one of the most selfish and greedy on record.

5/09/2012 11:27:30 a.m.

Martin wrote:

Look in the mirror Tariana Turia and all your colleagues and see who gets the money, the assets the water and the wind and where does the money go.

5/09/2012 11:09:52 a.m.

Munki wrote:

Poor Tari - looks like she's suddenly woken up and realised the elections are creeping - it's time she was put to pasture, she is becoming a joke. At least Pita Sharples seems to be in touch with the world.

5/09/2012 10:45:58 a.m.

Gary wrote:

Mrs Turia may have done absolutely nothing re-housing with people getting sick and dying from living conditions but at least they will not be able to buy nasty cigarettes in fancy packets! Good work Tariana you know where to focus your effort!

5/09/2012 8:59:50 a.m.

peter wrote:

Doesnt help when HNZ are demolishing perfectly good houses in places like Pomare, just to remove a few people they would consider "unsavoury" they have ripped the guts out of a community and is symbolic nationals commitement to low income areas, non existant, wouldnt supprise me to find they turn it into a commercial venture the Don and his mates will make even more money from, sad state of affairs, get out next election and vote whanau, 4 anyone but DON KEYz

5/09/2012 8:58:55 a.m.

christine wrote:

Words can't express how sad I am about that information that David mentions below. However good on Ms Turia for being proactive about the housing situation. Yes, its really tough out there for some. This country is divided into the Haves and the Have Nots nowadays.

5/09/2012 7:27:22 a.m.

David wrote:

Lets not forget one very important National Party statistic as well. Last year for the first time in living history a child under 10 years old took their own life. Thats the National Party Legacy... homelessness, desperation, stress, hardship. All of these things have been made much worse by Nationals slash and burn campaign. And Last year... a child under 10 took their lives, which has never happened before... this entire government are responsible for that including Turia. Families are in extreme hardship and the Maori Parties continued support of National is just as responsible for that with the imcompetence of Heatley, Bennett and English.