An Auckland mother says grocery vouchers and a motel offer from Housing New Zealand are an insult, given how much her mouldy home has cost her in medical bills for her son.
Te Ao Marama Wensor in her mouldy home. Photo: Radio NZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Earlier today, Radio New Zealand revealed that doctors and health workers have said the mould in Te Ao Marama Wensor's Housing New Zealand home in Glen Innes has contributed to her seven-year old son's life-threatening lung and heart problems.
Ms Wensor said contractors turned up in numbers at eight this morning, and spent just 20 minutes nailing plywood boards over the mould.
She said Housing New Zealand officials then slapped $300 in Pak'n Save vouchers on her table before leaving.
Photo: Radio NZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Ms Wensor said that would not stop her son's strokes from happening or get him a new set of lungs.
Housing New Zealand also offered to pay for her family to stay in a motel until a new home can be found, but this has been rejected by Ms Wensor.
The mouldy interior of Te Ao Marama Wensor's home. Photo: Radio NZ / Kim Baker Wilson
This morning, Housing New Zealand's chief executive Glenn Sowry said Ms Wensor's situation was unacceptable and that it would pay for a motel for as long as it takes to find a new home.
He said the family was offered another house but Ms Wensor chose to remain where she was until something was available in her chosen areas. Ms Wensor disputes this.
"We can only provide a home where one is available. If the areas that Ms Wensor wants to move has no vacancies we simply need to find some accommodation."
Mr Sowry said he would be looking at why repairs were not fully carried out Ms Wensor's home.
Te Ao Marama Wensor's son Iriah, in hospital. Photo: RNZ/Lauren Baker
