KEY POINTS:
Housing NZ tenants accused of terrorising neighbours on their Auckland street have been given until midnight tonight to pack up their things and leave.
The family, with five young men understood to belong to a street gang known as "Dope, Money, Sex" or DMS, were evicted from the
Range View Rd property in Owairaka for "serious breaches" of their property agreement with Housing New Zealand Corporation.
A tenancy tribunal hearing held at the Auckland District Court yesterday heard statements from police and affidavits from people living on the street.
Neighbours had frequently complained of acts of violence, intimidation, burglary, drunken and disorderly behaviour, vandalism and theft committed by members of the family against locals.
Graham Bodman, general manager of Housing New Zealand in central Auckland, said their eviction was "a pleasing result" and a relief for frightened neighbours.
"Tenants have to respect their neighbours' rights and I think this result sends a clear message to those tenants that they need to respect their neighbours and their homes."
Mr Bodman said anti-social problems with the young men aged between 16 to 25 and living at the house had been "steadily escalating" over recent months.
Neighbours spoken to previously by the Herald reported being too afraid to open their doors after dark out of fear of the youths who terrorised their street.
It is understood the group are well-known to Avondale and Mt Albert police, and some of them are facing a number of charges.
In one incident, the youths dragged a visitor to a nearby address out of his car, assaulted him and stole his vehicle.
Constable Nigel Turnbull, who has had ongoing dealings with the gang, would not comment when contacted by the Herald last night but said of the evicted youths: "They have been and still are subject to matters before the court for criminal offending".
Mr Bodman said the family's tenancy would be terminated from midnight tonight but they were likely to be allowed the weekend to move all of their belongings.
"The corporation will help the family find alternative accommodation whether that be with other family or in the private or community sectors.
"But one clear point is their next housing will certainly not be with Housing New Zealand."
Mr Bodman said circumstances such as these were particularly rare.
Over the past 12 months the corporation has evicted 18 families around the country out of a total of 67,000 residencies.