Auckland Council’s Governing Body has held a workshop with Haumaru Housing to discuss the way Haumaru provides updates to the council and to discuss two recent cases that have featured in the news.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss what could be learned from recent cases.
Environment and Community Committee Chair Councillor Penny Hulse says the workshop provided councillors with the opportunity to hear from its chief executive and board members.
“Establishing Haumaru Housing was a decision that the council, in consultation with the public, considered very thoroughly and with the needs of older Aucklanders first and foremost.
“We set expectations for Haumaru, to ensure that our duty of care to our tenants is delivered – these last few weeks have shown the relationship with the Haumaru team needs to be improved,” she says.
Councillor Hulse notes that while Haumaru Housing is not a full-service care facility but offers independent living opportunities to its tenants, it also connects them with wraparound care and support.
“It is really important that Haumaru carries out its role; that other tenants feel they can contribute as a community and the families of tenants are also involved.
“As elected representatives, we have an interest in the wellbeing of our constituents and expect that they will come to us for support and advocacy.
“Councillors and local board members will always have an interest in Haumaru – as they have always had in the council’s older-adult housing,” she says.
As the council’s partner and majority shareholder in Haumaru Housing, The Selwyn Foundation Chair Kay Hawk says the foundation is keen to work actively on building a strong ongoing relationship between the governance partners and Haumaru.
“We’re also keen to clarify the way we can work closer together on all levels and in the interests of both our tenants and the councillors’ constituents,” she says.
