Leaks hit Housing NZ units

By JOHN ARMSTRONG political editor

Housing New Zealand has called in building experts to inspect "at-risk" residential units after discovering evidence of water leaking through wall cladding in one of its Auckland apartment blocks.

The state housing agency has identified 13 of its blocks nationwide comprising 268 residential units which fit risk criteria for "leaky building" syndrome.

Ten of the buildings are in Auckland. One of them is leased.

This is the first time a Government agency has publicly announced it was affected by the leaky building crisis, which a Building Industry Authority report has estimated will lead to a repair bill of $240 million.

The Herald has revealed numerous cases of leaky buildings in Auckland, none of which involves Housing New Zealand properties.

However, in April last year the Herald revealed faults at Housing New Zealand's Takawai Apartments in Otahuhu, including chunks of polystyrene, coated with nothing more than a lick of paint, coming away from window and door frames.

Replying to a written parliamentary question, Housing Minister Mark Gosche said at-risk buildings were determined as those constructed from 1995 onwards with no eaves or monolithic cement board cladding with plaster finish.

Leaks had been found in two Auckland blocks, he said.

In the first case, one unit in a 30-unit leased block constructed only two years ago was showing evidence of "water ingress" through wall cladding.

Some plumbing-related leaks were also affecting the entire apartment block.

These had been repaired.

In the second case, a 10-unit block built in 1995 had shown signs of water entering one unit around a window frame, causing carpet damage.

Initial investigation indicated the leak was the result of faulty window flashing and that repairs had been made.

"Full evaluations of these two buildings will be undertaken by external specialists," Mr Gosche said.

Testing will also be done on the other 11 buildings, even though they show no signs of leaks.

Housing New Zealand refuses to say exactly where the buildings are, citing tenants' privacy and saying it does not want to alarm tenants.

* If you have information about leaking buildings,
email the Herald or fax (09) 373-6421.

Further reading
Feature: Leaky buildings

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