Ōtara flat deemed uninhabitable by Kāinga Ora after staff find extreme filth

A state house in Ōtara was found to be so unsanitary that it was declared uninhabitable, prompting intervention by Kāinga Ora staff. The severity of the conditions required personnel to don full protective gear before entering the property.

During a recent inspection, Kāinga Ora staff encountered a strong, unpleasant odor emanating from the flat. The smell was attributed to animal excrement, rotting food, and a general lack of cleanliness that had accumulated within the residence.

To gain access to the severely neglected property, staff were compelled to pick the lock. This action underscores the extreme measures taken to address the state of the house and ensure the safety and well-being of potential future occupants, as well as the inspection team.

Scott Tuapola, a senior housing manager, was among those who witnessed the squalid conditions firsthand. The discovery highlights significant issues with property maintenance and tenant responsibilities within the state housing system.