Clarification sought over decision on boatlike ‘house’

A DISPUTE over whether a building in Aramoana is a boat or a house continues.

Earlier this month, Aramoana man Just Doi received a decision from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) declaring his boatlike structure a house.

The MBIE was asked to make a determination after the Dun edin City Council issued Mr Doi with a notice to work because it considered the building a house without the proper consent.

Since being notified of the decision, Mr Doi has asked for clarification on the decision.

There were findings he took issue with — the building’s nonnautical windows and a fire airsupply vent running through the bottom of the floor.

‘‘I have asked that they clarify whether a sheet of plastic would be nautical enough and, if so, what’s the point in removing perfectly good windows.’’

He also argued the air vent had been designed to ventilate the bilge area and send any dead air up and out through the fire.

Once a final determination had been issued, Mr Doi could still appeal the decision to the district court although he was yet to decide whether he would do that.

MBIE determinations manager Katie Gordon said Mr Doi had requested a clarification on the decision be made and the city council had been asked to comment further.

No appeal had been lodged, Ms Gordon said.

Other than a clarification or appeal, the MBIE had no further involvement with a determination once a decision had been made, she said.

A Dunedin City Council spokesman said it was not appropriate to make comments about the determination process until it had been finalised.

Even if he did not succeed, Mr Doi had pledged to continue building his boat.

‘‘Tohora has been a boat since it’s inception and will always remain so.’’