Housing frenzy hitting Whangarei rents for Maori

Whanau Maori in Whangarei are being priced out of housing by Aucklanders wanting to get on the property ownership ladder.

That’s the view from Huhana Lyndon, who is standing in a by-election for a seat on the Whangarei District Council.

She estimates out of town buyers have pushed up prices 15 to 20 percent, and the rents have been jacked up to cover their mortgages – which has a real impact on the large number of whanau Maori who are renters.

"I’m really mindful the cost of housing in Auckland is huge compared to Whangarei but equally in Whangarei city those prices have been driven much higher by increased demand for our housing stock as a result of what is happening in Auckland, because we’re so close," Ms Lyndon says.

She is hoping for government action to tackle the housing crisis, including the promised ban on overseas residents buying existing housing stock.

HUHANA LYNDON INTERVIEW

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