The neighbours of an Auckland family accused of terrorising their street are still coming to terms with a ruling allowing them to stay in their state house.
The Tenancy Tribunal decision that Sharon Salt and her family can stay in their home in Range View Rd, Owairaka, hasshocked and angered many of those living around them.
Allegations against members of the Salt family include violence, intimidation, theft and anti-social behaviour.
All of the neighbours the Herald spoke to last night refused to give their names for fear of reprisals.
One said on hearing the news that she would be looking for a house in a "better suburb".
"It's just too hard to believe that they are going to stay, but we are going to move on and find a better place to live," she said.
Another woman said she felt bullied and that her character was "assassinated" when she was cross-examined during the tribunal hearing deciding the Salts' fate.
"Housing New Zealand's lawyer had a lot of integrity and played it quite straight. She didn't get all aggressive and nasty."
Another neighbour questioned the credibility of some of the witnesses who were called in to support the Salt family during the tribunal hearing.
"Some of it was fairly dubious and quite interesting. I mean, most of these people who spoke in support of them haven't lived here for some time."
Housing NZ, the community constable, Victim Support and Work and Income NZ attended a meeting with concerned residents yesterday.
