Candidate The Wizard of NZ answers Renters United’s questions

VOTE HOUSING: LOCAL BODY 2022

Renters United asked every Mayoral candidate in Christchurch 17 questions about the issues that most concern renters iin Christchurch. Here are The Wizard of NZ’s responses in full.

Rapid fire questions

Are you a renter? No answer provided
Do you own any properties? Yes
Do you support the Renters United Healthy Homes Commitment? Yes
Do you commit to funding tenant advocacy? Yes
Do you support councils retaining ownership an expanding supply of council housing? Yes
Will you lobby for IRRS to be extended to councils? Yes
Do you commit to densifying inner city suburbs? No
Will you commit to using your platform to abolish the ratepayers roll? Yes

Stable homes

What actions would you take to improve stability and security for private renters?

none at present

How will you ensure all council tenants have security of tenure?

don’t understand.

What steps will you take to end homelessness in Christchurch?

This is a psychological and social issue about to which I have given much thought

Meaningful enforcement

If elected, would you take steps to tackle persistent bad landlords who do not meet their obligations to renters in your area? If so, what?

Avoid bias and injustice on both sides

What do you think Council should do to address power imbalance between landlords and tenants? If nothing, why?

same approach

Fair rent

Would you advocate for additional powers or resources from Central Government to address the housing crisis (such as legislating for Rent Control), if so what and how?

I am suspicious about giving central government even more power to dictate to their “colonial subjects’, the local governments

What do you think are the main reasons rents in Christchurch are increasing? How would you ensure rents in Christchurch are affordable?

A highly complex issue, national governments are still under international pressure to overrule market forces in building new housing

Safe and healthy homes

What actions (in contrast to or in conjunction with our Healthy Homes Commitment) would you take to improve the quality of private rental housing in your ward and in your city?

apply the law

Anything else you want to share?

too hard

If you are a candidate or representative of a candidate and wish to correct or elaborate on the information please contact lbe22@rentersunited.org.nz.

Authorised by Geordie Rogers, geordie@rentersunited.org.nz

About the author:

rentersunited

In: Christchurch, Elections 2022. .