KEY POINTS:
The family at the centre of a Tenancy Tribunal hearing is looking at bringing a civil case against the police.
Housing New Zealand tried to evict Sharon Salt from her state home in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert after neighbours claimed her family had terrorised them.
But an adjudicator yesterday ruled there was not enough evidence and refused to ratify the eviction order.
Salt family lawyer John Foliaki said a specialist human rights lawyer is now looking into the case.
"Mrs Salt is gathering the information together and another solicitor will review it to advise whether there is a sufficient claim to take a civil claim against the police," Mr Foliaki said.
He said there were five complaints before the Police Complaints Authority, filed by Mrs Salt.
Mr Foliaki said his client was happy with the finding of the tribunal but very tired by the experience.
At the hearing, Mrs Salt said she had been harassed by police, including having a patrol car sound it's siren outside her house at 3am.
She also claimed the police helicopter circled her house 15 times this year.
Mrs Salt said during a bail check on one of her sons, 29 police officers turned up in over ten cars and a wagon.
Meanwhile Housing New Zealand and police are working to support the Salt family neighbours living on Range VIew Road.
Housing NZ CEO Lesley McTurk says the state landlord may appeal the tribunal's decision, but in the meantime she is concerned for Mrs Salt's scared neighbours.
She said the agency will work with them to ensure they understand the situation and feel safe.
Ms McTurk told Newstalk ZB that she was surprised by the Tenancy Tribunal.
"We thought we had a good case with the evidence from seven neighbours and four police officers, we saw that as significant but the tribunal didn't share our view," Dr McTurk said.
She said Housing New Zealand was seeking legal advice on the possibility of an appeal.
"We want to encourage any neighbours of our tenancies to feel free and be able to come forward with complaints.
"We would encourage them to document their issues and the incidents they experience because that's the thing that's going to be more effective in the event of giving evidence," Dr McTurk said.
Neighbours said they were stunned by the tribunal's decision and said they just want to live in peace and without fear for their property and safety.
Some said the family's recent good behaviour was a result of scrutiny by the media.
However, one resident said the fact that Mrs Salt no longer allows the worst of her nine children to live at the house is a step in the right direction.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
