10 November 2011

Community “line in the sand” on housing demolition

Members of the Pomare community will take over a local demolition site on Saturday in protest at Housing New Zealand’s failure to act on their housing concerns.

Residents have chosen a former state house property, now a demolition site, to hold a family BBQ and community celebration to highlight their community’s need for state housing.

Pomare Community Voice spokeswoman Dina Awarau said, while Housing NZ was meeting with local organisations to discuss the community’s future, they had continued to demolish state houses.

“Pomare people are upset and angry at the on-going destruction of their community,” she said. “On Saturday we will “draw a line in the sand” and rally around specific goals to launch a new fight to save our community.”

Patria Tamaka, also a spokeswoman for Pomare Community Voice, said Housing NZ was distracting the community with meetings while they demolished homes.

“On Saturday we will celebrate our community and unite with others. We will call on Housing NZ to rebuild 100% of state housing in Pomare and guarantee the relocated residents can return to their community,” she said.

Ms Tamaka said Housing NZ’s goal of reducing state housing in Pomare to 20% and their programme of demolishing homes had forced residents with up to three generations of history in the community to leave schools, churches, health facilities, whānau and neighbours.

Who? Pomare Community Voice
What? Community BBQ on demolition site
Where? Farmer Crescent, adjacent to Taita Drive intersection.
When? 12 noon – 2pm, Saturday 12 November
With: BBQ, music, entertainment, speeches

ENDS

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