housing new zealand newsletter issn 1175 …€¦ · · 2017-06-18baby teeth matter – ... 80...

It’s festival time in Auckland – all hands on deck to help at ASB Polyfest

This year Housing New Zealand had an on the ground presence at ASB Polyfest – the largest Polynesian festival in the world. Stakeholder engagement manager Marion Humphrey says it was a great way for Housing New Zealand to be seen in Māori and Pacific communities. Marion says the four day event was an opportunity for us to meet with some of the almost 80,000 festival goers.

“Being seen in our communities is going to help people understand the work we do and how we are here to help our tenants.”

Around 20 Housing New Zealand staff volunteered their time at ASB Polyfest, sharing information about our planned programmes like Warm and Dry, Driveway Safety and our new developments. Marion says the feedback was positive, especially around the designs of our houses. She says people mostly commented on how modern they look. The following weekend we hosted a booth at Pasifika, a yearly event that attracts Aucklander’s to experience the Pacific culture we are all part of – it was wonderful for Housing New Zealand to be represented there.

The Housing New Zealand team, enjoying the vibe at Polyfest. From left to right: Dom Sam, Rhonda Benson, Sidney Kershaw and Atama Williams, front: Peyton Benson and Marion Humphrey.

Your health and wellbeing are our #1 priority

Winter is here – turn the page to find handy hints about how to keep your family warm and dry in the coming months.

Housing New Zealand is working towards making all our homes warm and dry – in the last two years we have upgraded many homes to improve the lives of our tenants and will continue to, including installing:• curtains in the living area, dining

room and bedrooms• a fixed form of heating in the living

area – to meet our standards• an extraction fan in the bathroom

and range-hood in the kitchen – for three-bedroom properties and larger

• carpet over bare floors in living areas.

If you’re worried about the condition of your home, please let us know – call us on 0800 801 601.

Issue 45 | MAY 2017

02 05 08Keeping your home warm and dry this winter.

Baby teeth matter – brush them twice a day.

Family loses everything in fire but they still have each other.

Winner of the Close to Home recipe competition.

HOUSING NEW ZEALAND NEWSLETTERISSN 1175-8058

Close to Home

12

WHOLE HOUSEOpen curtains in the morning and close them just before dark to keep in the warmth.

Keeping your home warm and dry this winter Every household releases around 8 litres of moisture into the home every day from activities like cooking, showering and breathing.

The more moisture there is in the air, the harder and more expensive it is to heat.

Here are some simple things you can do to help reduce moisture, making it easier to heat your home.

WHOLE HOUSEUse thermostats and timers so your heaters only come on when you need them and automatically turn off once the right temperature is reached.

WHOLE HOUSEAir rooms in the daytime with an open window.

WHOLE HOUSEWipe condensation off walls and windows.

Create as much space as possible between the heads of sleeping children.

Try ‘topping and tailing’ if your children share a bed.

Try not to have lots of people sleeping together in one room.

Prevent the spread of germs

02

Close to Home MAY 2017

KITCHENWhen you’re cooking:• keep lids on pots, and make

sure the pot fits the element and the lid fits the pot

• use your rangehood• open the window.

BEDROOM• Keep beds and furniture

away from the walls.• The trapped air can

cause condensation to form between the two, and mould will be in among your shoes and clothes before you know it. Always leave a gap so the air can circulate freely.

• Keep wardrobe doors slightly open.

• Avoid putting mattresses directly on the floor.

WHOLE HOUSEStop cold air coming in under the door by blocking its path with a ‘door snake’. You can make one by rolling up a towel or filling up an old rugby sock.

BATHROOM• Open the window when showering

and keep your bathroom door closed up to half an hour after showering.

• Use your extractor fan.

To remove mould and mildew spray on a mixture of 80 percent white vinegar and 20 percent water. At the same time try to identify and deal with the source of the moisture that causes the mould.

Use firewood that has been dried for a year.

Woollen blankets are warmer.

Wash your clothes with cold water and dry them outside if the sun is shining.

Quick tips:

03


You, or your family/whānau, may be able to get free flu vaccination.

Flu vaccinations are free from a doctor or nurse from March till the end of July, if you’re in one of these groups:

• Anyone aged 65 years or over• People under 65 years of age

(including children) with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma that requires regular preventive therapy), kidney disease and most cancers

• Pregnant women (any stage of pregnancy)

• Children aged four and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness.

It’s best to get immunised before winter so you’re protected before flu season strikes. Even if you don’t fit into one of the groups above, you may still be able to get free vaccination from your employer, or for a fee from a doctor, nurse or some pharmacists.

Flu can be anywhere, so you can easily catch it or spread it to other people.

And it isn’t just a ‘bad cold’ – it’s a serious disease that can make other existing conditions, such as breathing or heart problems, even worse, with some people ending up in hospital and some dying.

H E A LT H L I N EIf you need advice about influenza, immunisation or any other concerns about you or your family’s health, call Healthline.

0800 611 11624 hours, 7 days a weekAll calls are taken by a registered nurse.

Extra help to keep families warm and healthyYou may be able to get some extra help from Work and Income if your children are unwell or you can’t keep warm in your home.

Some types of help are only for people on a benefit, and others are for people on a low income.

You can find out more on the Work and Income website www.workandincome.govt.nz or by calling them on 0800 559 009.

If you need help with keeping warmIf you need bedding, blankets, curtains and heaters but can’t afford to pay for them, help might be available through an Advance or Recoverable Assistance Payment (which you’ll need to pay back) or a Special Needs Grant.

And if you need help paying your power bills, you may be able to get an Advance or Recoverable Assistance Payment (which you’ll need to pay back).

If you need help with health costsGetting a Community Services Card means you’ll pay less for some health services simply by showing your card.

You may also be able to get a Disability Allowance, Special Needs Grant or Temporary Additional Support.

Visit www.fightflu.co.nz today to find out whether you qualify for free flu vaccination. To talk to someone about the flu vaccine, call your doctor or nurse, or call 0800 IMMUNE 0800 466 863.

Your annual flu vaccination may be free

04


You may have seen the adverts on the TV about a tooth fairy that visits a parent in the night to remind him about brushing his child’s teeth.

Caring for baby teeth can help your child to eat and sleep well. Problems with baby teeth can cause your child pain and can lead to problems with their adult teeth. Last year, many Kiwi kids had their teeth pulled out.

Brushing twice a day helps protect baby teeth and avoid the pain of tooth decay. Brushing needs to be with family fluoride toothpaste and children need help from adults with tooth brushing until they are 8 or 9 years old.

Baby teeth matter - brush them twice a day

0800 611 11624 hours, 7 days a weekAll calls are taken by a registered nurse.

CHILDREN NEED HELP FROM ADULTS WITH TOOTH BRUSHING UNTIL THEY ARE

8 or 9 YEARS OLD

Te Aorangi is so excited her new place is just the right size – and there’s a yard too!

Enrol your baby with your local community dental service for free dental care. All children are eligible for free dental care until their 18th birthday.

For other tips on how to protect your child’s smile go to www.letstalkteeth.co.nz

Twenty-seven-year-old Te Aorangi Corbett can barely articulate how she felt when she moved into her new, two-bedroom home in Waterview’s Torea Place late last year.

Te Aorangi spent some time in emergency housing and then most recently three years in an old state house in New Lynn before being allocated a new house in Waterview.

Te Aorangi’s home is one of 17 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses which have replaced three 1940s brick duplexes, houses that were old, cold and damp.

The 17 homes stand on an almost 3,500 square metre site and are typical of the work Housing New Zealand is doing across Auckland to provide more homes, modernise our stock and more efficiently use our land.

“I love being in this house,” Te Aorangi says. “It’s easy to keep clean and I’ve only had to use the heater once since we’ve been here.”

“In our old house it was freezing come 6pm and you’d have to wrap up in blankets. Even in summer it could be quite cold.”

The comfort levels aren’t surprising, as all the homes have double-glazing, insulation, thermal quality curtains, and carpet, and are positioned to make the most of the sun.

05


LIDS ON POTS USE THERMOSTATS AND TIMERS

5 MINUTES

1+ MIN.

TURN OFF!

AWAY FOR

S AV E P O W E RS AV E M O N E Y

Water usageIf you get a note left in your letterbox from your local water provider telling you that your water usage has increased, please let us know – we will send out a contractor to see why the usage has increased. You may have a leaky pipe, leaky taps or a broken toilet cistern or hot water cylinder.

Water leaksLet us know right away if you think there is a burst or leaking water pipe in your home – we will send a contractor around to fix it.

Why ‘doing the right thing’ is the right thing to doHousing New Zealand looks after millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money. Spending and accounting for this money is a responsibility we should all take very seriously.

If you suspect crime or fraud is being committed nearby let us know. All calls are free from any phone in New Zealand and are confidential.

You can tell us about fraud by tenants, by Housing New Zealand staff and contractors, and by the public.

Report crime in confidence – call 0800 TELL HNZ (0800 8355 469).

If you live in Auckland and you’re interested in moving to another area in New Zealand then you may want to consider the Ministry of Social Development’s ‘Relocation from Auckland’ package.

Relocation from Auckland

Boy, the moonbeam cockatiel, longingly eyes ripening apricots in anticipation.

© Peter Lowrie All rights reserved without limitations.

From a tenant’s fruit tree...

The offer is voluntary and helps reduce the cost of moving for people and families. Up to $5,000 towards the cost of moving is being offered as well as a payment of either $2,000 (if moving to social housing) or $3,000 (if moving to private accommodation).

If you’re interested or want to know more, contact the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 559 009, visit www.housing.msd.govt.nz, or talk to your tenancy manager.

06


Housing New Zealand or MSD... not sure who to call?ISSUE CALL HNZ CALL MSD

Apply for house ✘

Change in contact details for example: • New phone number

Change in the number of people living in the household for example:• New partner moving in• New baby• Other family members moving in• Absence from property

Change of income for example:• If it goes up or down

✘

Need a repair done for example:• Leaky tap• Oven not working• Broken window latch• Fence problems

✘

Neighbourhood disputes ✘

Rent: Income-related rent assessment ✘

Rent: Problems paying your rent at this time *

Tenancy reviews ✘

Your tenancy agreement ✘

* Yes, if you need assistance or wish to check your level of income-related rent.

New rubbish bins in Manukau Our houses in Manukau will soon have new rubbish bins thanks to Auckland Council. They will be the same as the wheelie bins used in Auckland for general rubbish purposes.

The new bins will be delivered during June and July ready for September use.

When a sole tenant passes awayWhen the sole tenant of a Housing New Zealand rental property passes away, adult children who may have lived in the property for a number of years or may have been declared as boarders cannot automatically inherit the tenancy.

On the death of a sole tenant, Housing New Zealand will always agree when a tenancy will end with the personal representatives of the family or, next of kin. The leaving date is usually a minimum of 21 days

notice in writing to leave the property. In some circumstances a later leaving date could be negotiated.

As the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is now responsible for determining eligibility for all social housing, we’ll also encourage any adult occupants living in the property to contact MSD, to see if they are eligible for social housing in their own right.

If eligibility for social housing is confirmed by MSD, they would then be placed on MSD’s social housing register to be matched to a suitable home.

M AY

• Plant seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and spring onions.

• Feed citrus trees with fertiliser.

• Plant garlic, shallot bulbs and strawberries.

• Last chance to plant spring bulbs.• Start collecting autumn leaves

for composting.

• Feed lawns to boost growth and suppress weeds. Bare areas of lawn can be raked over and reseeded.

Get some free budget adviceThere are lots of organisations around the country that can give you and your whānau free budgeting advice. The advice is completely confidential.

Most of these organisations are part of the Federation of Family Budgeting Services.

You can find one close to you. Just go to familybudgeting.org.nz, email them at [email protected] or call freephone 0508 283 438 – your call will be answered by a budget adviser Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4.30pm.

07


When fire destroyed Tim and Fiona Noble’s Housing New Zealand home in Auckland, it was 16 years of memories and cherished family possessions that went up in smoke.

“We stayed at our son’s house following the fire, and expected a long wait for a new place to live, but within two days Housing New Zealand were talking to us about where our family could relocate to and by day five we were in this house in Massey,” says Tim.

The Nobles say they miss their old neighbourhood; however they see the relocation as a new beginning.

Tim and Fiona felt very well supported by people in the community, who generously donated so much to them, and by the staff at Housing New Zealand Henderson office, who went out of their way to make sure the family was resettled in their new home.

Family loses everything in fire but they still have each other

J U N

• Raise vegetable beds as the weather cools and the rain arrives, so you can plant a wider range of vegetables.

• Plant seedlings of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, winter lettuce, spinach and silverbeet.

• Sow seeds of pea, onion and lettuce.

• Plant pots with pansies, polyanthus and primulas for winter colour.

• Prune hydrangeas. Apply garden lime to improve pink colours and aluminium sulphate for blue.

• Slow down watering of house plants and move them away from draughts.

West Auckland Tenancy Manager Dom Sam, Fiona and Tim Noble with their four year old grandson Jizyah.

“The fact we all made it out alive is the most important thing of all,” says Tim. The shock of the fire still scares him.

Fiona says that aside from replacing official documents, the hardest thing to come to terms with is the loss of family photos and mementos, which can never be replaced.

The couple’s grandsons were playing with a lighter on the deck when an old couch quickly caught fire. Fiona says that before anyone realised what was going on, the fire was out of control.

There were 11 people in the house at the time, including four children under five – and they all made it out safely.

“We were lucky our smoke alarms were working and everyone knew to just get out of the house,” says Fiona.

“We were lucky our smoke alarms were working and everyone knew to just get out of the house.”Fiona Noble

08


STOP insect infestationPrevention is the best approach:• Store food in sealed plastic or

glass containers.• Get rid of food scraps straightaway

and put them in sealed rubbish bins or bags.

• Keep things tidy – pests like cockroaches love boxes, bags, clothes and other hidey holes, especially items that stay in one place for any time.

Before moving in household furniture or whiteware, spray items with fly spray to kill the bugs.

1m

J U L

• In warmer areas, sowing of many vegetable crops can begin in July. If the soil is too heavy and wet, sow in seed trays for planting out later. Keep building up vegetable beds with compost.

• Plant seedlings of artichoke, cauliflower, lettuce, onions,

potatoes, rhubarb, silverbeet and cabbage. To allow earlier plantings to germinate in cooler districts, protect seedlings with an empty 2-litre soft drink bottle with the neck cut off.

• Sow seeds of broccoli, cabbage, broad beans, cauliflower, peas,

lettuce, onions, radish, spinach, silverbeet, swede and turnips. In warmer districts sow carrots, parsnips and beetroot.

• In the flower garden, prune or plant roses, and prune hydrangeas and fuchsias.

1 Crawl low and fast to escape smoke. ‘Get down, Get low, Get out’

2 Shut doors behind you to slow the spread of fire.

3 Meet at your planned meeting place. Once out, stay out – never go back inside. Phone the Fire Service on 111 from a safe place.

FREECALL 111 for fire emergencies VISIT www.fire.org.nz for more fire safety tips

Working smoke alarms save livesKeep yourself safe from fireTest your smoke alarms often to make sure they’re working.

In the kitchenKeep an eye on what you fry!Don’t drink and fry! Save the beers for after you finish cooking.

Be aware of fire hazards

Keep everything at least one metre away from a heater or fireplace as most clothing and textiles will burn and can cause injury or death. This includes yourself, furniture, bedding or clothes that you want to dry. Never place or hang clothes on a heater to dry.

What to do in a fire

CLOSE TO HOME IS ONLINE

Read more stories, find more tips, ask us questions.

It’s a two-way street and we’d love to hear your stories and any tips that might help others.

www.close2home.co.nz

09


FOR KIDS, ABOUT KIDS

Euw! Okay Mum.

Your favourite – Mac’n’cheese with loads of ham.

Hi Mum.What’s for dinner ?

What’s for dinner ?

Can you pleaseempty your schoolbags – I can’twait to see whatbooks you have toread to me tonight.

Slow down!

Thanks Mum!

Mum,do you know wheremy marble racer is?

This big pot of pastais making lots of steam. It’s betterthat goes out the window than fogs up the house.

Tane,can you please openthe window for me?

Tane, can you please open the window - I’m busy with the baby. I’ll find your marble racer after dinner.

Why do I haveto open the window? It’s coldoutside and it will make us cold inside.

Fog in the housesounds like fun!

You won’t think it’s fun when we have to clean themould and mildew everywhere.

Q. What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs?

A. A clock!

Q. What is the easiest way to double your money?

A. Put it in front of the mirror of course!

Q. What has a thumb and four fingers but is not alive?

A. A glove.

The school year is well underway, with everyone settling into new classes or schools, making new friends and learning all about the world we live in. The second term means winter is here, no need for the sun-hats outside anymore.

Have a look at the stories on these pages. These are ways you can help at home to keep your house nice and cosy, and save some money – for more lemonade ice blocks next summer.

Q. What has a neck but no head?A. A bottle.

Q. What gets wetter as it dries?A. A towel.

Q. What goes up and doesn’t come back down?

A. Your age.

Q. What belongs to you but is used more by others?

A. Your name.

Riddle me this riddle me that!


Ruby, Tane,it’s time for bed.

Why do we closethe curtains at night time?

It keeps all the cold air outsideand keeps you nice and snug inside.

I’m just puttingmy dolls to sleep.

Make sure they’re tucked up tight and close the curtains.

But I brushed them this morning.Why do we have to do it again?

You’ll get a rotten tooth and it will have to bepulled out. Remember, just like your cousin?

Remember to brush

your teethbefore you go to bed.

I’ll open them inthe morning tolet the sun in!

Great idea. That way the suncan warm your room upwhile you’re at school.

If you don’t brush your teeth thebugs will get in. Do you know what happens when the bugs get in?

Tell me! That sounds gross. I’llbrush my teeth

I’m hoping thetooth fairy willcome tonight.

Not if yourteeth aren’t clean!

It’s notnice . . .

I’ll do it rightnow!

I know it’s scary butit’s important we turnoff the lights whenwe leave a room.

Hey,who was in the bathroomlast? You left the light on.

Does that meanit will cost usmoremoney?

Now, let’s get a good night’s sleep.

Yes -and that

means lessmoney forice blocks!

The longerthe lights are on,the bigger the power bill.

I’m scared ofthe dark.

Me too.

Good work today. Love you,see you in the morning.

I’ll make sure allthe lights areturned off.

Love you too, Mum. Can we get an ice block afterschool tomorrow?


Contact Publication enquiries should be made to [email protected] www.hnzc.co.nz

Printing This document is printed on Sumo Offset, an environmentally responsible paper manufactured using pulp harvested from sustainable, well managed forests and bleached using an elemental chlorine-free process.© Housing New Zealand Corporation 2017.

Unless otherwise indicated, copyright in this magazine is owned by Housing New Zealand Corporation. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Housing New Zealand Corporation.

Email option If you would prefer to receive this publication via email, send your email address to [email protected]

A U G

• Plant seedlings of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, silverbeet and spinach. Lay seed potatoes in a tray in a sunny place for 7-10 days until the ‘eyes’ sprout, then plant.

• Cabbage, celery, spring onion, onions, silverbeet, spinach and lettuce seeds can be sown in trays for transplanting later.

• Divide up the perennial herbs and plant out as the soil warms. Lift and divide clumps of rhubarb.

• Prepare the garden for spring planting, digging in generous amounts of compost.

• Plant new season flowering annuals in containers.

Winner of the Close to Home recipe competition in the ‘dessert recipe’ sectionThis recipe is truly delicious, thank you to Vivienne Esray Greenfields for sending it in.

Thanks to:Banana Fudge Ripple CakePre-heat the oven to 180°C, grease a 20 x 20cm cake tin and line with grease proof paper.

YOU WILL NEED:

125g butter

¾ cup of raw sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp of vanilla essence

1½ cups flour

1½ tsp baking powder

2 tbsp milk powder

A pinch of salt

½ cup of water

Cream butter and sugar, beat in one egg at a time, add the vanilla essence. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately with water, until all are mixed together.

FILLING:

60g grated butter

½ cup sugar

2 tbsp cocoa

¼ cup sultanas

¼ cup coconut

1 or 2 bananas – not too ripe

½ tsp ground ginger or ground cloves

Combine all ingredients except the bananas.

Putting the cake together takes a bit of time. Put 1/3 of the cake mix in the tin, a layer of filling, then a layer of sliced banana. Repeat the three layers, finishing with a layer of cake mixture. Bake in a moderate oven for 45 minutes, or until cooked.

Sift icing sugar, or ice with lemon or chocolate icing if you so desire.

1ST If you need to talk to us, call0800 801 601 [email protected]

Non-urgent calls between 8am and 8pm weekdays only.

Urgent calls 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Local offices open for drop-in between 9am and 4pm weekdays only.

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housing new zealand newsletter issn 1175 …€¦ · · 2017-06-18baby teeth matter – ... 80...

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