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A pig farmer converted a sty into four residential flats that she then rented out for $150 a week to Aucklanders desperate for accommodation.
In one of the most unusual tales to come from Auckland's super-heated housing market, a building where up to 150 piglets a week were born was turned into flats that were soon snapped up by eager tenants.
But, when the local council got wind of the unusual redevelopment, it was underwhelmed and took the owner to court.
"Pigs or people - what does it matter?" asked property owner Heather Graham, who said her lawyer was handling the legal action.
"The Waitakere City Council is splitting hairs."
Ms Graham disputed the council's contention that she should not rent the former piggery to people and said she had created four superb flats near the waterfront at Whenuapai.
The case comes after the release yesterday of an international housing affordability study that found Auckland one of the world's most expensive cities - on a par with London.
The survey showed Aucklanders needed almost seven years' wages to buy a house, ranking the city at 29 in a list of 159.
Ms Graham said she was simply responding to market demand. She spent $15,000 on each unit, converting the piggery into four flats.
When the council discovered the renovations it prosecuted her, bringing charges claiming breaches of the Building and Resource Management Acts.
The case is due back in the Auckland District Court soon.
A council official said it was illegal for the former pig farrowing pens to be rented out for human habitation but, because the matter was still before the court, he could not comment further.
Ms Graham said the building was used for sows to have up to 150 piglets a week. She said she did not have permission for the building conversion, which she admitted was illegal. People no longer lived in the building.
"It was great, the places were nicely appointed and I'd have lived there myself," she said.
Eight years ago, she had the piggery walls lined, each place insulated and a new floor laid to create the studio units.
The last tenant left last year.
Waitakere City is also prosecuting another property owner, Phillip Neil Cottingham, over the conversion to residential use of a herb-drying shed and other buildings on Lone Kauri Rd, Karekare.
Mr Cottingham said he hoped to reach an agreement with the council.
The case went before the Auckland District Court yesterday and was adjourned.
