Community frustration at boarding house owner boils over

Members of a Green Bay community are calling for a drug and alcohol ban at two local boarding homes after a string of incidents.

A heated public meeting was held at Green Bay High School last night where residents met with the owner and manager of two properties operated by Roberton Lodge Boarding Houses.

The properties house up to eight tenants each, which are referred to Roberton Lodge by Corrections, Probations Services, and Work and Income New Zealand.

Although only nine Green Bay residents attended the meeting, emotions were visibly high, with Titirangi Community Constable William Flapper present to keep the peace.

The resident hosting the meeting, who did not wish to be named for safety reasons, explained that Roberton Lodge tenants regularly held loud parties and consumed alcohol, noting they had heard voices shouting abuse, including ‘Go hang yourself’.

On Thursday, a tenant allegedly threatened the resident after he claimed a probation officer said the reason he was being moved was due to the person living next door.

“I was worried there was a chance he could retaliate towards me and my family,” said the resident.

There have been a series of problems reported at the properties previously, most publicly the admittance of a sex offender due to the proximity to local schools.

Fellow Green Bay resident Gavin, who did not want his last name used, said the issues stemmed from the same small group, and felt the main concern surrounded the consumption of alcohol and drugs.

“The community shouldn’t have to act in a policing role and I’m concerned we’ll start to see vigilante action.”

Gavin said he believes there needs to be a working relationship established between the community and the owner to find a solution to the problems.

“He’s a businessman . . . if he doesn’t live next door to them, and I don’t believe for a minute he would, he’s never going to respect what the community needs.”

“The properties need to be drug and alcohol free,” added Gavin.

Peter Wheeler, the owner of Roberton Lodge Boarding Houses, said they are no longer accepting tenants referred to them by Corrections.

The lodge did not focus on sourcing tenants from Corrections, he said, but due to tenancy laws some unsuitable tenants became difficult to evict when problems occurred.

“Out of 50 people [across the four properties he owns], we’re talking about five or six [problem tenants],” said Mr Wheeler.

Mr Wheeler said one tenant breached probation a number of times before being removed, and was returned to the property after an appeal in court.

“They have overruled [the eviction] and let him come back to us . . . then it falls back on the landlord and we get in s**t with the neighbours,” said Mr Wheeler.

Lucy Swanky attended the meeting on behalf of New Lynn MP David Cunliffe, and extended an invitation to meet with Mr Wheeler to discuss the ongoing issues.

“This is very serious . . . when people are shifting out because they are too damn scared, nobody should have to do that, they choose their home,” said Ms Swanky.

“This is the Honourable David Cunliffe asking you, sort it out, please,” she said on behalf of the politician.