Alan Speer bought a run-down, three-bedroom house at auction last year for $63,000 but needs police help to move in with his young family.
The Te Hauke house, 15 minutes drive south of Hastings, was bought at an auction forced by a 2014 court order to recover rates owed to the Hastings District Council,
At the time of the 2014 order $4000 in rates was outstanding. The council currently lists annual rates at $575 and the value of the house, which sits on a quarter acre and visible from State Highway 2, at $106,000.
Speer said he was relieved police agreed to assist - he felt intimidated by the occupant, the son of the deceased owner, who refused to leave until the balance of the sale was paid.
"He's a pretty volatile guy. You only get one life and I want to look after it - I have young kids."