Category Archives: New Zealand

Local media has again erupted after Benedict Cumberbatch revealed that he loved his 2020 stay in New Zealand. But something stinks about his story.

This week Benedict Cumberbatch made the mistake of mentioning, for about the three thousandth time, that he loved being in New Zealand while filming Jane Campions The Power of the Dog in 2020. Spending over five months here, including during the first Covid-19 lockdown, Sir Cumbers has been extremely generous in his praise of our country, gushing to various media outlets about this welcoming place that he loved and considered a new home.

But theres one crucial detail missing in the latest round of crooning Cumberbatch coverage: the notoriously yum-smelling actor chose to absolutely stink himself up while he was here. To fully embody The Power of the Dogs brooding ranch owner Phil Burbank, Cumberbatch stopped showering in preparation for filming. He told Esquire that he craved a layer of stink on the character, saying: I wanted people in the room to know what I smelt like.

It didnt stop at bathing, either. Phil Burbank goes hard on the durries, so Cumberbatch went hard on the durries. I gave myself nicotine poisoning three times, the Esquire article also revealed, when you have to smoke a lot, it genuinely is horrible. This, combined with the fact that he asked wardrobe to stop laundering his costumes, creates quite the tang in the minds nose. The minute I put those clothes on, I was [Phil]. I could smell him, Cumberbatch said, .

Given that this is not even the first time that a stinky actor has plagued our pristine shores, The Spinoff has crunched the data and done the relevant contact tracing to try and stop the stench. Here are the locations of stink-terest visited by a possibly ponging Benedict Cumberbatch while he was in Aotearoa, a place that he allegedly loved, nearly two years ago.

Ponsonby Social Club, Auckland

If you were in Ponsonby Social Club on Saturday June 20, 2020, you are a close contact of the Cumberstench. As reported by Newshub, Benedict Cumberbatch and co-stars Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons were said to enjoy top shelf stuff at the Ponsonby Road hotspot, including some Japanese whiskey and tequila. Sounds like some pretty pungent liquor. Sounds like somebody trying to cover their tracks. Sounds like the exact kind of stinker who would move into a more private area (smell-proof chamber?) as the night progressed.

Summerlee Luxury Retreat, Hawkes Bay

In one of the most impressive examples of investigative journalism of the last decade, an eagle-eyed Hawkes Bay Times reporter spotted a bookshelf in the background of Benedicts Zoom call that looked a lot like the bookshelf in Summerlee Luxury Retreat in the Hawkes Bay. According to their website, Summerlee Luxury Retreat boasts plenty of places to bathe, including a pool, a spa and seven bathrooms.

But, using the power of important journalistic tool of red circles, I would like to draw your attention to ANOTHER crucial detail that suggests NONE of those facilities were utilised by the Batch.

Do you see? His nostrils are flaring. His mouth is upturned in disgust. All my modeling points to one possible scenario: Cumberbatch is smelling himself in this moment. Given that Summerlee is within easy reach of New Zealands largest gannet colony, and that gannets are famously New Zealands stinkiest bird, you have to once again ask coincidence or cover-up?

Unnamed Sushi restaurant, New Zealand

Cumberbatch has repeatedly shared an anecdote about director Jane Campion inviting him out to a sumptuous sushi lunch while he was, as The Spinoff understands, in a state of peak stench. I was literally emanating I had a biohazard zone around me, he told USA Today. It was not a good time to cuddle up to Cumberbatch and take a selfie. Retelling the story again on Late Night with Seth Meyers, he recalled walking five feet in front of the director, and that his malodorous musk caused selfie hunters to run in the opposite direction.

To be safe, anyone who went to any sushi restaurant in New Zealand in 2020 should probably have a shower.

Uptown Bounce, Auckland

The Spinoff has spoken to an anonymous source who spotted Cumberbatch at popular Auckland trampoline park Uptown Bounce in July, 2020. Most memorable thing from him being there was that he was wearing trackpants but they seemed like the most expensive/luxurious trackpants in the world, they said, and he stunk.

Anyone who has been on or near a trampoline in the last two years is being asked to spray themselves with Impulse and/or Lynx Africa.

Camberley Dairy, Hastings

As reported by Hawkes Bay Today, the go-to publication for all things Cumber and Batch, a dubious source claimed to have seen the star at the Camberley Dairy. Pretty sure he shoplifted a bag of Burger Rings, they recalled. The Spinoff has no further comment to make without a lawyer present, apart from that Burger Rings are one of the top three chips, and that anyone who has come into contact with Burger Rings in the last two years is deemed a legend.

Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke Island

Sometimes I forget that I work at a bougie winery, said Haylee Oliver, assistant vineyard manager at Mudbrick Vineyard, but today I was cruising by the winery restaurant on my tractor and saw Benedict Cumberbatch sitting there. The key words cruising and tractor suggest that the exposure event was both fleeting in duration and physically distanced, so Waiheke residents are advised to self-monitor for any alarming aromas.

Craggy Range, Hawkes Bay

Saw him at Craggy Range for lunch! I fangirld out BIG TIME! Nic Olsen told The Hawkes Bay Today. He wasnt keen on a selfie. Theres no mention of what he smelled like during his visit, but the selfie rejection suggests it was most likely because of the fumes. I would also like to point out another chilling detail from my very own Craggy Range reporting from 2019.

See the caption on this rump shot from my own trip? Oh misty eye of the mountain below is of course a lyric from the song I See Fire by Ed Sheeran, which was of course commissioned for the soundtrack for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in 2013, which of course stars Cumberbatch as the titular Smaug. Coincidence? Almost certainly. Interesting? Barely. More to come on this story as it develops.

Did you smell Benedict Cumberbatch in 2020? Get in touch alex@thespinoff.co.nz

This article has been updated to reflect the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch was spotted, and possibly smelt, at both Craggy Range and Mudbrick Vineyards.

Read the original here:

Benedict Cumberbatch loved New Zealand he also stank it out - The Spinoff

New Zealand ranks at the top of the world on many measures. Photo / Michael Craig

New Zealand has been ranked as the best country in the world for financial freedom, based on measures including stability, tax, fighting corruption and the transparency of our financial systems.

And we are also No 1 when it comes to safety and security in east Asia and the Pacific, according to a report out this year which studied 187 countries and how attractive they are to extremely wealthy people.

GS Global Partners' world citizenship report ranked New Zealand ahead of Denmark, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany for its financial freedom, non-corruption and transparency.

The report studied people who sought second citizenship, often to enhance their own lives or wealth.

"The financial freedom motivator measures the ability of a jurisdiction to provide a favourable and stable regulatory climate for the establishment and functioning of businesses, as well as the holding of personal and business assets," the report said.

Tax efficiency for people and businesses were a key motivator for wealthy people who sought out places that offered them the best opportunities, the report said.

They wanted countries "without excessive government oversight and corruption", it said in what could have been a nod to the story of billionaires like New Zealand citizen Peter Thiel.

New Zealand beats Japan, Australia, Singapore and Taiwan when it comes to safety and security in this part of the world too.

Across a number of other measures, New Zealand was ranked as the best English-speaking country globally, heading off the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Although our borders are shut, that might just be why so many thousands are scrambling to get here.

29 Jul, 2021 01:48 AMQuick Read

5 Oct, 2021 09:09 PMQuick Read

New Zealand is the fifth best country in the world to live in based on economic, financial, lifestyle, mobility and safety measures, only headed off by European powerhouses Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

Overall, we ranked sixth, ahead of the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Canada, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, France and the United States.

Five key factors or measures put us in that sixth place:

Safety and security: the ability to enjoy greater social safety and security for oneself and family and as a safety-net against being trapped in a dangerous territory;

Economic opportunity: our ability to access major business hubs and increased access to better employment prospects and wider business opportunities;

Quality of life: accessing territories with higher social and institutional stability and higher standards of education and healthcare;

Global mobility: our freedom to travel for leisure and lifestyle and our ability to buy insurance to compensate and help with medical or safety emergencies;

Financial freedom: geographical diversification, protecting assets from government overreach or corruption and facilitating wealth structure in a tax-efficient manner.

New Zealand ranks second in the world behind Iceland for safety and security, 15th for economic opportunity, 17th for quality of life and seventh for global mobility.

Last July, the Herald reported how New Zealand was named among five countries likely to survive a global society collapse.

Researchers say it comes as no surprise, with billionaires reported to be buying land for bunkers in New Zealand in preparation for an apocalypse.

This country was found to have the greatest potential to survive a collapse somewhat unscathed because of its geothermal and hydroelectric energy, abundant agricultural land and low population density.

Other places ranked highly to survive are Iceland, the UK, Tasmania and Ireland.

The CS Global Partners' report studied people with multiple citizenships who look for the best opportunities in the world "otherwise unattainable in one's birth country or country of origin".

"As many parts of the globe progressively recover from Covid-19, individuals are relinquishing hope in the ability of governments to manage crises of various nature, including pandemics, climate change and wealth inequality. Consequently, mass affluent markets are assessing in which countries it is most profitable to become global citizens, in order to attain their needs," the report said.

CS Global Partners specialises in residence and citizenship by investment. It said the report gave a data-based overview of almost every country on the globe based on five key motivators.

New Zealand has also been named as one of the world's most welcoming countries and the greatest country on earth for the seventh year in the Telegraph travel awards.

Continue reading here:

New Zealand ranked top country for financial freedom - New Zealand Herald

John Kirk-Anderson/Stuff

Blackjack Gary Lawson is still in contention to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in July.

A date has been set for mediation with Blackjacks bowler Gary Lawson nearly seven months after serious conduct allegations and complaints were made against him.

Lawson is still in contention to represent New Zealand at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July.

The complaints followed a Stuff story in July 2021, that uncovered allegations regarding Lawsons conduct, including the alleged use of homophobic slurs, sexist remarks, verbal abuse and threatening behaviour, as recent as May 2021 and spanning 25 years.

Derek Flynn/Stuff

Gary Lawson was suspended from bowls in December for one month following his use of profane and indecent language towards an opposition player (file)

The investigation also uncovered allegations of a normalised culture within bowls, where Bowls New Zealand, Bowls Canterbury and bowling clubs knew of Lawsons alleged conduct, and allowed him to continue to play.

Several bowls community members feared speaking up because of perceived repercussions, including the likelihood of being threatened again, and the damage they believe it might do to their chances of representing New Zealand.

READ MORE:* Allegations of homophobia and sexism in the world of elite bowls * Gary Lawson stood down from bowls for 'indecent language' on the green* Bowls NZ starts Gary Lawson investigation; Grant Robertson and Sport NZ urge community to speak up following allegations

Bowls Canterbury has organised the mediation, which will take place in the middle of February, general manager Lorraine McLeod confirmed.

Stuff understands the process will occur across two days and will address more recent allegations regarding his conduct. If a resolution is not achieved, the complaints may go in front of a judicial panel appointed by Bowls Canterbury, which Stuff understands includes Christchurch lawyer Ian Hunt, educator Gillian Heald and police officer Maurice Phiskie.

The delay in addressing the complaints was in part due to Covid-19 restrictions, Lawsons Auckland-based lawyers told Stuff in October. They said at the time Lawson was committed to resolving matters and has not done anything to delay matters.

Questions put to Lawson by Stuff regarding the mediation went unanswered.

John McCombe

Gary Lawson, left, Andrew Todd, Richard Girven and Russell Meyer, won gold at the World Bowls Championships in 2008.

But another complaint against Lawson has been dealt with quicker. Following a formal complaint about his use of profane and indecent language towards an opposition player at an event in October 2021, he was suspended from the sport for a month.

His suspension was lifted before the national bowls championships held in Christchurch in early January. He placed second in the pairs and was knocked out in the round of 32 in the singles.

In December, and at the time of Lawsons most recent suspension, Bowls New Zealand said in a statement that bowls prides itself as an inclusive sport and community, one that is based upon clear values whereby we respect each other and those within our community.

The use of profane, indecent or improper language on a bowling green is therefore not acceptable, the statement said.

According to the Bowls New Zealand disciplinary guidebook, use of any profane, indecent or improper language; verbal abuse, including but not limited to . religion, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation; engaging in offensive or insulting behaviour, and disrespecting the authority of match officials all carry a maximum suspension of 52 weeks.

Threatening actions or words towards club, centre, Bowls NZ officials or representatives carries a maximum 260-week suspension.

It was not the first time the 14-time New Zealand champion and world champion has been suspended from the sport. In 2010 he was found guilty of match fixing at a tournament in 2009, and was suspended for six months. He was invited to rejoin the Blackjacks in 2011, but did not return until 2019, following the appointment of new Bowls New Zealand administration.

Lawson was named as one of 46 within the wider Blackjacks squad vying for a spot on the Commonwealth Games team in July 2021. The final squad is due to be announced in May.

More here:

Complaints against New Zealand bowls great Gary Lawson go to mediation - Stuff.co.nz

Fears are growing among rail travellers that two of New Zealand's iconic long-distance train services have been permanently axed.

New Zealand has been closed to almost all international tourists since March 2020.

As a result, the inter-city Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific trains have been suspended due to lack of visitors.

The Northern Explorer is the only rail service between the capital, Wellington, and biggest city Auckland. It was formerly known as The Overlander.

The South Islands Coastal Pacific connects Christchurch, the biggest city, with Picton the port for ferries from Wellington on North Island. It allowed a rail-sea-rail journey between Auckland and Christchurch.

Both were suspended in August 2021 due to lack of visitors. But last month the state operator, KiwiRail, announced: We have tried everything in our means to stay on track since Covid-19 rocked the world in 2020.

With mixed emotions, we have paused our Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific services while we look towards a new future.

The operator, which markets the trains under the name Great Journeys of New Zealand, says it is planning a restart in July 2022. But it says: Our new vision is to create multi-day experiences that showcase the best of New Zealand, both on and off the track.

A multi-day experience will allow passengers to truly unwind and experience our relaxed New Zealand nature at the gentle pace it deserves.

Staying overnight in rural towns and dazzling cities, visiting world-famous activities and charming local attractions, our dream is to showcase the best of New Zealand beyond the beaten track.

These are the dreams we are currently researching.

The statement appears to indicate an end to both trains as standard, inter-city services.

Mark Smith, the international rail guru known as The Man in Seat Sixty-One, said: It will be the end of normal train service between New Zealands major cities Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

He said the rolling stock will be used for rarefied multi-day tourist-only 'land cruises.

A petition aimed at Michael Wood, the transport minister, has attracted more than 500 signatures.

It says: We call on the government and KiwiRail to commit to maintaining existing inter-city passenger rail services.

Furthermore, we ask for a comprehensive national strategy for future passenger rail services built around concern for climate action and economic development.

KiwiRail says: Our vision is to expand our experiences, so our passengers can see and do more in the regions we travel to and through.

While both the Coastal Pacific and Northern Explorer train routes are acclaimed scenic spectacles, they are both long journeys deserving of more than a single-day experience.

Prior to closure, the Northern Explorer covered the 423 miles between Auckland and Wellington in around 10 hours 45 minutes.

The 215-mile journey from Christchurch to Picton on the Coastal Pacific was scheduled to take five hours.

Continue reading here:

Could two of New Zealands most iconic trains hit the buffers? - The Independent

There are two original glass plate negatives of a photo of the artist Charles Goldie, but Webb's auction house is not selling them - it's selling the NFT of each photo, a unique digital code.

"But here's the interesting thing, if you buy the NFT, you get the plate with it," head of art at Webb's auction house Charles Ninow says.

"We are taking something made on a specific day and specific time and is really important to New Zealand's history and in a way we are making it immortal."

Webb's is New Zealand's first major auction house to do this, but it's nothing compared to the NFT craze sweeping the virtual world.

Last year, digital artist Beeple could not believe the price an NFT went for.

"$69 million - I think it means digital art is here to stay;" he said.

Unique digital avatars are also fetching huge sums, with a Cryptopunk selling for US$10 million.

There's celebrity endorsement with Paris Hilton and Jimmy Fallon using Bored Ape avatars, while All Blacks Ardie and Julian Savea have Party Bears.

"Yes, there is an incredible amount of money being thrown around in the industry and it's definitely in a bubble of sorts," co-founder of New Zealand NFT maker Fluf World Alex Smeele says.

If someone buys a bunny avatar they can get access to a metaverse, or virtual world, where you can perhaps socialise with rapper Snoop Dogg.

"When it comes to NFT digital art and the metaverse as well, there is a lot of opportunities to actually redefine yourself and really express yourself as you feel and that's a really empowering experience," Smeele says.

That's a real-world away from when Goldie was snapped in his studio.

A price guide for this Friday's auction is $5000 to $8000 per NFT and there's a twist involving

the glass negative and a hammer.

"Perhaps you might want to make it permanently digital. Smash it? Smash it," Ninow says.

Welcome to a world where the digital means more than the physical.

See more here:

New Zealand auction house becomes the first to auction NFTs - Newshub

Mahuta said she's concerned about the continuing and unprecedented build-up of Russian military forces on its border with Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) issued a warning on Wednesday that said the situation was "highly volatile" and that Kiwis in Ukraine should consider leaving.

"New Zealanders whose presence in Ukraine is not essential, should consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so," the Ministry said.

"New Zealand's ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Ukraine is very limited.

"There have been reports of increased Russian military activity near Ukraine's border with Russia and in Crimea.

"Security conditions at the border may change at short notice. New Zealanders in these areas are advised to regularly monitor local and international media."

The ministry does not have an embassy in Ukraine but New Zealand does have an honorary consul in the country.

Russia has amassed 100,000 troops near Ukraine but continues to deny planning military action against the country they share a border with.

The Russian Embassy of New Zealand told Newshub on Wednesday that Russian troops are following international law and have no plans to invade Ukraine.

"In light of the ongoing speculations around the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border the Embassy would like to remind that the Russian troops are carrying out maneuvers strictly in the national territory in full compliance with international rules, and, as was repeatedly confirmed, have no intention to invade anyone," the Russian Embassy of New Zealand said.

"The case thus remains totally within the framework of Russian internal affairs. The Embassy therefore calls upon all responsible governments to act in a manner consistent with international law, i.e. not to interfere with internal affairs of sovereign states"

In reaction to this, the US put about 8,500 troops on alert to be ready to deploy to Europe if needed.

"What's happening now is getting them ready on a shorter tether," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

"Today, we're not talking about deployment orders. We have no deployment orders to speak to."

Read the original here:

New Zealand calls on Russia to ease tension with Ukraine, reduce 'risk of a severe miscalculation' - Newshub

Friday, 28 January 2022, 6:07 amPress Release: UTM Music Group

This Quiet Room is the first new album in 37 yearsfrom New Zealand post-punk / new wave / indie veterans Vietnam,and the bands final, definitive statement.Officially released today (Friday, 28January, NZ Time) on Vinyl, CD, and digital formats, ThisQuiet Room can be ordered online from Vietnamnz.com,Bandcamp,FlyingOut, Marbecks,and JBHiFi, with more to follow.

Initially active from1981-85, and reforming in 2017 to celebrate the reissue oftheir self-titled 1985 debut, Vietnam went on to record thebrand-new album This Quiet Room between 2019 and2020. Now based between Sydney, Australia, and Wellington,New Zealand, the bands new album remains true to theirroots in the moody post-punk and quintessentially NewZealand indie jangle of the early eighties, but is matureand confident enough to make forays into new territory, withmoments of dark, brooding jazz cabaret, and even disarminglygentle ballads.

This Quiet Room from Vietnamcomes in a limited edition of 300 individually numbered LPs,pressed on 180-gram Clear Vinyl, and is also available in CDand digital formats. Covid-restrictions permitting, the bandhope to play one final New Zealand tour later in2022.

Meanwhile, the new video for the albumspoignant second single, Where is My Happiness?, wasreleased earlier this week, premiering on Stereo EmbersMagazine (US) witha beautiful write-up from Dave Cantrell, followed by afeature on Undertheradar.co.nz.

PREVIEW

Privatepromo stream of the album via Soundcloud: here

NEWZEALAND RETAIL DISTRIBUTION: UPDATED

ThisQuiet Room by Vietnam is distributed in New Zealand byRhythmethod,and is available now from Flying Out (Auckland), Marbecks(Auckland), Real Groovy (Auckland), Spellbound Wax(Gisborne), Vinyl Countdown (New Plymouth), Slow Boat(Wellington), Rough Peel (Wellington), Pennylane(Christchurch), Relics (Dunedin), and all JB HiFi outletsnationwide.

Follow Vietnam: Bandcamp| Facebook| Instagram| YouTube

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This Quiet Room: The Long Awaited Album From New Zealand Post-punk / Indie Veterans Vietnam, Released Today - Scoop

Asia Martusia King/Supplied

Kiwi animal species having fun as students in Dunedin forms the basis of a new dating game.

Asia Martusia King had never designed a game before, but she has gone all out building a dating game involving New Zealand species.

The University of Otago student has created and submitted the game as part of her master of science communication degree.

King wanted to combine learning with something fun, and ended up with The Ugly Club essentially a dating simulator, based on the annual Bird of the Year competition.'

SUPPLIED

Asia Martusia King worked on the game as part of her masters degree at the University of Otago.

Science games do exist but, to be frank, a lot of them are really boring and lack story, so my primary aim is to communicate these concepts in a way which is fun and silly and integral to a plot, King said.

READ MORE:* Exporters of services fighting more barriers post-Covid: OECD* South Otago student wins Prime Minister's scholarship to Asia* Week in Review: Confetti and the heartbreakers

The game has a plot line which will take some beating, and involves some uncharismatic New Zealand fauna an Archeys frog, a wtpunga and a short-tailed bat aka the ugly club, who a player ends up flatting with at the University of Otago.

When a player receives an invitation to the Bird of the Year annual ball, they go on dates with their flatmates to decide who they want to bring.

Asia Martusia King/Supplied

The game, named The Ugly Club, features famous New Zealand fauna.

King said those dates range from partying on Dunedin's infamous Castle St, or playing the popular student drinking game possum in the botanic gardens.

Dating simulators are essentially visual novels, so as long as I did the art and the writing I figured I could teach myself how to put it all together, and it would be way less difficult that teaching myself how to code, King said.

I had heaps of fun with it. I dont think anyone outside of New Zealand would appreciate the game at all ... but I dont care.

The beauty of the game was that people would learn about the species they go on dates with without even realising it.

But it wasnt without its twists, King said, including some of New Zealands most famous native species trying to woo players away from their dates.

King said her game included prominent judges John Campbell, the Gore trout and a tern named Jacinda Artern.

Asia Martusia King/Supplied

Judges in the game include, from left, Suzy Cato, the Gore trout, and John Campbell

She hopes to create another game for the official New Zealand Bird of the Year competition, which is run by Forest and Bird, with the current title holder belonging to the long-tailed bat.

King is yet to receive her marks for the game, which is now available to be downloaded for Windows users.

Continue reading here:

Dating game for New Zealand species - welcome to The Ugly Club - Stuff.co.nz

Chair of Transparency International New Zealand Anne Tolley said international recognition of low levels of corruption is vital for New Zealand's trade-dependent economy.

"Solid credit ratings and lower costs of contracting and compliance allow us to remain competitive internationally. Maintaining active vigilance against corruption has significant financial value to the country."

The organization said the Government's decision to move New Zealand to red in the COVID Protection Framework was not evidence of corruption.

"We expect complaints from people who believe that curtailing our rights under red light restrictions are evidence of corruption," Haggie said.

"We don't agree with that - the restrictions are necessary to protect public health. New Zealanders are more likely to accept restrictions if they know that they are timebound, rolled back as soon as possible, and if there is transparency around the decision-making processes."

This 2021 index showed that corruption levels remain at a standstill worldwide, with 86 percent of countries making little to no progress in the last 10 years. South Sudan finished last with a score of 11.

Read the original here:

New Zealand named world's least corrupt country for third year straight - Newshub

The median weekly rent is $700 a week and rentals are hot property. Photo / 123RF

Porirua has been named the most expensive rental market in the country - with a median weekly rent of $700 a week. Rentals are hot property in the city.

Housing Action Porirua's Jasmine Taankink told Morning Report the prices were the result of negligence from successive governments.

"Initially, eastern Porirua, like Waitangirua and Cannons Creek, were mainly state-housing areas and were also an affordable place for people to buy their first home," Taankink said.

"Over the years, a lot of that state housing stock has been sold off, the majority of which now sits in the hands of the investors so they now have the monopoly of the rental housing."

Since 2018, the state housing waiting list since 2018 had fluctuated between 200 and 300, and emergency housing was often full and hard to get into, she said.

"It's absolutely really difficult."

Even when private rentals were available they were about $650 or $700, she said.

"For a minimum-wage worker, that's their whole pay or more."

As a result, some families were moving to places like Levin or further afield.

"This means that it is more difficult for them to get jobs or higher education and all that's going to do is drive the prices up there."

One person in the community has had to move twice since 2018, resulting in them having to pay $15,600 more in rent each a year, Taankink said.

"That person is only entitled to an extra $12 a week with the accommodation supplement.

"It's meaning communities part, it means that people have to leave the places they've grown up in.

"Families are definitely going without things. If one whole wage is going towards rent and the accommodation supplement isn't keeping up with the increases in rent, this means people are having to make choices about what to go without."

There was no quick solution to the problem but it required a change in political will, Taankink said.

"It's quite clear - over the last few years there's always been around 20,000 people on the state housing waiting list around Aotearoa and 2[00] to 300 of those in Porirua - that we need a significant commitment to increasing the state housing stock."

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Porirua named most expensive rental market in NZ - New Zealand Herald