Young family seeking better life in Rotorua struggling to find an affordable home

Corin Van Erven, his partner Amiee Murphy and their children Malaki, 6, Sophia, 3, and Savannah, 8 months, have been trying to find a rental in Rotorua for four months. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A young family who came to Rotorua for a better life and more opportunities may have to leave because they can't find anywhere to live.

Corin Van Erven, Amiee Murphy and their three children, aged 6, 3 and 8 months, have been looking for affordable rental accommodation in Rotorua for the past four months after moving to the city from the Waikato.

They have been staying with Mr van Erven's parents, but with seven people living in a small house in Owhata life has become a bit cramped.

Ms Murphy said she had lost count of how many properties they had visited.

"It's been really hard. We went for a house viewing today and only got 10 minutes to see it with about 20 other people looking at it as well."

She said some properties were well overpriced and others not even fit for purpose with leaks in bathrooms and mould on windows.

"Some are not worth the price and you are competing for one house with multiple other people.

"We moved here from the Waikato and are looking to live here permanently, but it's so hard finding a home.

"We're coming to the point where we think we may have to leave, but we really like it here and our son has started school and he really likes it.

"We do like living in Rotorua, there's are lots more opportunities here than where we came from."

She said their son had learning difficulties and Rotokawa School had already made great progress with him getting him the help he needs.

"It would be a shame to leave.

"We'd like to live somewhere near the school, but we'll take almost anything we are getting that desperate," she said.