Housing crisis causing accommodation tensions in tourist towns

Published: March 18, 2021, 4:18 a.m.

Tensions are building in tourist towns where motels are now filling up with people unable to afford a place to live. About 100 people turned up to a meeting in Napier last night, which was organised by the National Party. Many there were concerned about reports of increasing crime and a lack of accommodation. They fear social supports aren't available at motels - some of which are looking after rival gang members along with whānau. It is not just Napier affected - other hotspots like Rotorua and Taupō also feeling the pressure of the country's housing crisis.