HNZ tenants' eviction appeal thrown out

A High Court judge has thrown out an appeal by three women with gang connections who face eviction from their Lower Hutt homes.

The women appealed to the High Court at Wellington on Wednesday against a Housing New Zealand (HNZ) eviction order.

They had earlier appealed against eviction at the Tenancy Tribunal, then in Lower Hutt District Court.

In a decision released today Justice John Wild said he saw no error of law in the decisions of the district court or the tribunal.

He ordered the women to leave the properties by midnight on October 30.

In March, the women, tenants in Farmer Cres in the suburb of Pomare were given 90-day eviction notices, after a neighbour left her state house, saying she had been terrorised by gang members associated with the women.

Armed police later raided houses in the street, arresting more than 10 people.

Justice Wild ordered HNZ to pay costs for both sides of the case because "it was a test case that would be of general benefit to HNZ".

- NZPA