Imagine feeling unsafe in your own home, a place that should be a sanctuary. That's the reality for some elderly residents in Rotorua, and it's all stemming from a surprising problem: empty council-owned pensioner units. A recent incident has left one woman "shaken" after a prowler attempted to break into her flat, highlighting growing security concerns amplified by reports of homeless individuals seeking shelter around these vacant properties.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is the council doing enough to protect its most vulnerable citizens?
One resident, who has tragically had her car stolen not once, but twice, shared her feelings of fear and isolation. She's currently the only occupant in a block designed for four, emphasizing the stark reality of the situation: more than a quarter of Rotorua's pensioner housing sits empty. To be precise, out of the 152 units spread across six blocks in Ngongotahā, Fenton Park, Glenholme, and Westbrook, a staggering 46 are currently vacant. And this is the part most people miss: this number has doubled since November 2023, signaling a rapidly worsening problem.
The Kahikatea Street resident, understandably requesting anonymity for her safety, recounted the terrifying moment she became aware of a "prowler" lurking on her doorstep. Describing him as roughly 180cm tall and wearing a beanie, she said he tried to enter her home, but was thwarted by a makeshift security system that alerted her. She jumped out of bed, slammed the door shut, and locked it just in time, sending him fleeing. While she describes herself as someone who "doesn’t scare easily," she admitted that the incident left her deeply shaken, taking days to recover. Now, she's taking her security far more seriously, ensuring all doors and windows are locked every night. She immediately contacted the police to report the incident.
Adding to the unease, the resident revealed that other neighbors had reported seeing homeless individuals sleeping near the empty pensioner units. Council staff subsequently inspected the property and, alarmingly, discovered sleeping materials near the vacant units on the Miller Street end of the block. "It was a bit disconcerting," she stated, adding the obvious but crucial point: "If they were occupied, it wouldn’t be a problem."
Rotorua police Inspector Phil Gillbanks confirmed that a report had been filed but, disappointingly, stated that there were "unfortunately no further lines of inquiry." He also said he was “not immediately aware of any particular instances of suspicious activity” at Rotorua’s other pensioner housing blocks. He advised anyone noticing suspicious activity to prioritize their safety and call 111 immediately.
Rotorua Lakes Council group manager of infrastructure and environment Stavros Michael acknowledged the situation, confirming that while "personal items" were found behind wheelie bins, nothing was discovered inside the vacant units themselves. He emphasized that "the units are locked up and linked to a master system, and council staff or contractors are regularly at the pensioner unit complexes." This raises the question: if the units are secured and regularly monitored, how are people still managing to sleep nearby unnoticed?
In an attempt to address the housing shortage and improve management, the council announced a partnership with Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa in August. This community housing organization will take over property management responsibilities, while the council will remain the landlord. However, Michael explained that "most vacant units required a complete refurbishment before they can be tenanted, and refurbishments occur as council budgets allow." These upgrades, he added, would "need to align with any long-term redevelopment plans” as part of their Emerge partnership.
Under the new partnership, residents will be required to sign a new tenancy agreement with Emerge, which includes raising their rent to market rates from February. This plan was initially scheduled to begin on October 1, but has been delayed due to resident concerns about how rent increases will be covered. The council and Emerge have assured residents that the arrangement will facilitate easier access to government assistance and that those solely dependent on superannuation will be "no worse off financially" for two years. But will that truly be the case? And what happens after those two years?
During last year’s Long-Term Plan process, the council agreed to invest $2.2 million over the next two years in vacant homes to get them tenanted, but plans to reduce capital expenditure on pensioner housing to $590,000 by 2026-27. This begs the question: Is the council prioritizing short-term solutions over long-term sustainability for its elderly residents?
This situation raises several critical questions: Is the council doing enough to ensure the safety and well-being of its elderly residents? Are the refurbishment plans moving quickly enough to address the growing number of vacant units? And are the proposed rent increases truly sustainable for pensioners on fixed incomes? What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you believe the council's actions are sufficient, or should more be done to protect Rotorua's vulnerable population? Share your opinions in the comments below.
