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A decision by Housing New Zealand to appeal against a Tenancy Tribunal decision allowing the Salt family to stay in their Owairaka state home has delighted neighbours.
The tribunal last week found in favour of Sharon Salt and her family, allowing them to stay in their home at Range View Rd saying Housing NZ did not present enough evidence to have them evicted.
Neighbours and police had earlier claimed some of Mrs Salt's teenage and adult sons - alleged members of a local gang - and their associates were responsible for disorderly behaviour, vandalism, assaults, property damage and intimidation of neighbours.
Housing NZ chief executive Dr Lesley McTurk said in a statement yesterday she was concerned the tribunal's decision was saying the type of behaviour of those living at the Salt's house did not interfere with the reasonable rights of neighbours.
"As a Government agency, Housing New Zealand had a special obligation to balance the rights, concerns and feelings of neighbours with the rights, concerns and feelings of tenants," she said.
Mrs Salt would not comment when approached by the Herald last night but confirmed she had been advised the appeal had been lodged.
Mrs Salt's lawyer, John Foliaki, could not be reached for comment last night.
But some neighbours said they were delighted the appeal was going ahead.
"It's fantastic news," said a woman who lives nearby and did not want to be named.
"I'm not sure of what the exact details are but my fingers are crossed. Let's just hope Housing NZ gets it right this time."
Dr McTurk said Housing NZ would "fulfil our obligation to the tenant" in helping Mrs Salt and her family to find alternative accommodation in the private sector if its appeal was successful.
