No policy to tip off HNZ, says DHB

Auckland health officials say they do not have a policy of tipping off Housing NZ about patients who may be smoking meth in state houses.

Housing NZ took a tenant to the Tenancy Tribunal in June 2015 in relation to methamphetamine contamination of an apartment in Auckland’s CBD.

The tenant was later fined and possibly evicted for damage to a HNZ property.

The tribunal’s ruling said the Auckland District Health Board advised HNZ to test the premises for contamination. At the time, the tenant was attending drug and alcohol rehabilitation at the DHB, the court papers said.

“Housing NZ duly arranged to have the test done and the evidence today shows that the premises were indeed contaminated.”

Waitemata¯ District Health Board is in charge of alcohol and drug treatment for the region. A spokesman said drug and alcohol services did not have a policy of sharing patient information with Housing NZ.

Richard Williams, acting group manager of courts and tribunals at the Ministry of Justice, said he would not comment on judicial decisions.

“However, any party who disagrees with a Tenancy Tribunal decision has the right to seek a rehearing, or, if the amount in dispute is $1000 or more, to appeal to the District Court.”

The tenant was ordered to pay $2300 for the cost of the test and a further hearing was scheduled to determine remediation costs.