What the heck is happening to our nation? We are slowly going down the drain as a safe decent place to live. This article reflects similar problems in many previously beautiful peaceful places across the country. Add in increasing gun violence. Police officers getting shot. It's just not acceptable. Deplorable.
- Al H
All a situation Labour created. Healthy homes, tenancy law changes, tax-deductibility changes - the Government must be super proud of how it all turned out. I'm sure they will be campaigning in 2023 on how well they have done by turning the emergency housing register from 4000 to 25,000+.
- Jan W
Reading articles like this, I won't be visiting Rotorua again anytime soon.
- Peter O
In reply to Peter O: If you're of that opinion yes, stay away. Do you know how many motels and hotels there are? Dozens, and if anything, there was an oversupply of holiday accommodation here in Rotorua before Covid and this alternative means of using them has been a godsend for owners. The opposition has been using this and the homeless issue as an easy target for a while now, in my view, never acknowledging the onus its Government had at the time to address homelessness, poverty and related issues.
- Manu R
In reply to Manu R: I live in Rotovegas and absolutely hate it now. Definitely would not stay in a central motel, not safe on the streets. In my view, Labour has killed this town.
- Steven N
In reply to Steve N: I left - and have no regrets.
- Brian H
Thank goodness for Covid-19 otherwise where were those in need of emergency housing going to live? This is an absolute disgrace and the Government should hang its head in shame. What is the plan for addressing this situation and the social damage being caused? This is not just occurring in Rotorua but this issue is present across many areas of the country.
- Danny M
Disgraceful! I live in Rotorua and it's appalling to see what the town has turned into. I actually lock the car doors when driving here now.
- Ali M
An utter failure of planning and accountability from either major party over many years.
The population has swelled and the housing and infrastructure was not there for it to happen. And the "difficult" communities that we needed to educate and give jobs to are now several generations into welfare dependency and it has become part of the culture. NZ is digging a very big hole.
- Welly G
In reply to Welly G: It was there in 2017 - I mean you can't magic the 20000 people onto the emergency housing. Where were they before Labour came along? My dad's house has two one-bed studios close to the surf - and the two tenants loved it. Wasn't flash but it was $150p/w internet and power. Not a "healthy home" - but the people had cheap rent and lived next to their playground. They were gutted when my dad kicked them out. One is in emergency housing, the other is now paying half his wage as a kitchen hand on a $400 p/w portacom (no power or internet).
- Jan W
A very expensive way to house people, but well worth the effort if it means the extinction of private sector landlords. Private landlords used to service this sector of the accommodation market at substantially less cost to the taxpayer, but as they are now held to be the devil incarnate. We don't want them doing that anymore, do we? Much better to vilify and punish them and then spend much, much more on another option.
- Peter L
A win-win situation - if you are a motel owner. The motel generation. Wonder how the children will be affected long-term.
- Gautam S
It's not win-win, they are forced to offer their rooms at lower rates than normal because the borders have been shut.
- Martigne G
Given the disruption from Covid, I'm glad hoteliers are able to get some returns, somehow.
- Apelu R
- Republished comments may be edited at the editor's discretion.
