Otago Daily Times

House thrills homeless family

- By VAUGHAN ELDER

ALL Ki’anie Pikia wanted was a home and now she has one.

Life became a lot easier for Ms Pikia after she was offered a Housing New Zealand home in Dunedin on Monday.

Ms Pikia had been struggling to find a home for herself and her three children since December, when the lease on her last house was not renewed.

Her plight featured in the Otago Daily Times last week, which she believed was a major factor in her being offered a house only days later.

She was thrilled when she received a text offering her the house.

After visiting the property she was amazed at the standard of the three bedroom bungalow, which has two fireplaces and is freshly painted.

Having a home after months of struggle, which included resorting to sleeping in a car, would mean some muchneeded stability for her family and meant her 13yearold daughter would be able to return to Dunedin from Invercargi­ll.

vaughan.elder@odt.co.nz

 ?? PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH ?? Future home . . . Standing outside their future home in Tainui are Ki’anie Pikia, her son Galaxie (3, left) and daughter Elegance (2).
PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Future home . . . Standing outside their future home in Tainui are Ki’anie Pikia, her son Galaxie (3, left) and daughter Elegance (2).

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