Kāinga Ora won’t say how many offers were received on controversial sale of Wellington houses

Link: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9._f0.YIZs2-J2FpwgcBcJJb29s1vXmFAWHLh_p1oUyv-l-RA/business/2081464/kainga-ora-won-t-say-how-many-offers-were-received-on-controversial-sale-of-wellington-houses

Kāinga Ora is not revealing how many offers it received on the controversial sale of a Wellington public housing property, after the sale deadline passed on Wednesday.

RNZ asked Kāinga Ora if any offers were made but the housing agency declined to answer "to avoid prejudicing potential negotiations and to protect Kāinga Ora's commercial position".

Regional Director Greater Wellington Sarah Willson said it could take several weeks to work though the next steps of the sale process.

"We appreciate there is strong community interest in the sale of the property, and we will share the outcome as soon as we are able to do so," she said.

The possible sale of Kāinga-Ora-owned 4,6,8 Nuku Street, Strathmore, has attracted community backlash, with the Green and Labour parties voicing their opposition to the sale going through before the election.

Most of the Wellington City councillors – including Mayor Andrew Little and Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty – wrote a letter earlier this week to housing ministers and Kāinga Ora asking for the sale to be paused.

The deadline for offers was Wednesday at 4pm.

Strathmore Housing Action called on Housing Minister Christopher Bishop to intervene.

The minister had previously declined to comment on the sale as it was "an operational decision for Kāinga Ora".

But Strathmore Housing Action's Lizzie Pringle disagreed, saying the involvement of politicians, community voices and local organisations had escalated the matter beyond an operational decision.

"Why is this sale being rushed? How much could taxpayers lose by selling public land in the current market? The public deserves answers before an irreversible decision is made."

She said there was still time to pause the sale to ensure it was in the public's interest.

"Even if the tender process has closed, Kāinga Ora does not have to make an immediate decision."

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