State Housing Appeal Authority

You can appeal to the State Housing Appeal Authority, which we administer, if you are dissatisfied with Housing New Zealand’s review of your income related rent or your eligibility for a Housing New Zealand house. The Appeal Authority is independent of Housing New Zealand.

Who can apply?

You can only apply to the Appeal Authority if you have received the result of a Housing New Zealand internal review. 

If your circumstances have changed since you received the result of a Housing New Zealand internal review, please contact Housing New Zealand  to discuss the change in circumstances. 

How to appeal

You must send your appeal to the Appeal Authority within 10 working days of receiving the result of your review.

Get a State Housing Appeal Authority application form (call free 0800 223 022).

Complete the form:

• Explain why you are dissatisfied with the Housing New Zealand Review.
• Include any other information you may have to support your reasons for appeal.
• Explain what outcome you are seeking from the Appeal Authority.
• Please let the Appeal Authority know if you need an interpreter at the hearing.

Send the completed form to us:

State Housing Appeal Authority
PO Box 50394
Porirua

Fax: 04 237 0850
Call free: 0800 223 022 

What happens next?

• When your appeal is received, the State Housing Appeal Authority will get your review file from Housing New Zealand.
• The Appeal Authority will arrange for your appeal to be considered by a panel, consisting of a chairperson and two members. (Panel members are selected from the community.)
• Your appeal will be heard in the location closest to where you live. (The Appeal Authority currently sits in eight locations.)
• At the hearing, you will be asked to explain the reasons for your appeal and Housing New Zealand will explain the reasons for the review decision. You may bring a support person to the hearing. Solicitors are only permitted under special circumstances and only with the consent of the Appeal Authority.
• The panel will consider your appeal, make a decision and send to this to you and Housing New Zealand.