Beneficiary awaits eviction fate
An Auckland beneficiary is anxiously waiting on a judge to decide whether or not she will be evicted from her home of more than 30 years.
Ioela Ana Rauti’s home is one of 2800 state houses that housing development company Tamaki Regeneration Company (TRC) plans to replace with 7500 new homes over the next 15 years.
She was issued a 90-day eviction notice from her Glen Innes home in October 2016 and has been fighting to stay since.
TRC is a housing development company, jointly owned by the Government and Auckland Council.
In 2015, government transferred ownership and management of 2800 state houses to TRC.
Rauti, who lives on a government benefit, said she moved to the Taniwha St home in 1985 to look after her sick mum.
Rauti, also known as Niki, took her eviction fight to the Auckland District Court on Monday.
She hoped to appeal a possession order of her Taniwha St home, granted by the Tenancy Tribunal in February.
More than 30 of Rauti’s supporters from the Tamaki Housing Group joined her at Auckland Court with her lawyer Justin Hart.
The group’s representative Lisa Gibson said they had no idea when the judge would reach his decision.
‘‘It could be today, or next week.
‘‘We really don’t know, but we will see what happens from there,’’ Gibson said.
‘‘The appeal went pretty much as we expected, we still think we can win. ‘‘We have a strong case.’’ Gibson said they were apprehensive but they main concern was Rauti’s wellbeing.
TRC housing general manager Neil Porteous said he understood it was a difficult time for Rauti.
‘‘TRC has been transparent with her about the redevelopment plans and tried to communicate with her at every opportunity,’’ Porteous said.
‘‘TRC continues to follow the correct legal process to gain possession of the property.
‘‘We would still welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with Ms Rauti about her specific housing needs and to show her one of the properties we have available for her.’’
TRC had given Rauti four housing options in the past which she’s refused.