Shaping the Future
HOBANZ is taking a stand and working towards a warm, dry, safe and healthy home for every New Zealander, in a community that cares. All our initiatives, and those we support or partner with, are in line with this aspiration. We’re about modelling a new housing standard for future generations.
Here are some highlights of what we are already doing to break the mould.
Our Support and Services Offerings
HOBANZ provides independent guidance and support to homeowners who are often facing seemingly unfathomable dilemmas with their homes. We offer the collective wisdom of many other homeowner experiences to the individual homeowners we assist. Visit our support and services pages.
Trusted Provider Programme
HOBANZ is currently developing a Trusted Provider Programme to lift standards and give home owners a resource they can rely on. The Programme will not only focus on qualifications, but also on a provider’s business practices and approach.
The HOBANZ Trusted Provider Programme will allow home owners to provide feedback on their experiences so that those who are doing it right can be applauded. Where things are not so good providers will be given the opportunity to address issues and improve their performance, rather than being immediately consigned to a black list. Give feedback on a provider you have used.
Unique Litigation Funding
It is often too hard to stand up strongly as an individual homeowner, or even a body corporate, in the face of the “big guys”. A current case HOBANZ is working on involves 'Mum and Dad' type investor owners, who assumed that their investment was secure due to Housing NZ’s involvement, but found themselves to be the owners of a now derelict worthless apartment building. HOBANZ has come alongside the owners in a creative new way. We brought in the assistance and grunt of litigation funding partners. Now these home owners can stand up in court to the Auckland Council, to Housing NZ, and any other potentially liable party, and carry forwardwhat we consider a ground breaking case. This is exciting work in progress. Many thanks to the owners for their willingness to keep fighting and to LPF Group (www.lpfgroup.co.nz) for providing the resources enabling them to do so.
Not for Profit Membership Association
Rather than setting ourselves up as a commercial entity and doing this alone we are forming a non-profit membership association, utilising a social enterprise model. The belief behind this is that New Zealanders can have a collective voice this way and they can take charge of their homes and neighbourhoods by making choices, informed by those with their mutual interests at heart (other home owners). Free online membership is open now and full membership will be available in the near future.
Colleen Dicks Project
Colleen Dicks was one of the first leaky home cases to go to court, so obviously attracted our attention. It was an appalling example of injustice from many perspectives. Many other New Zealanders in business, industry, and as individuals thought so too. HOBANZ got together with them and jointly they rebuilt Colleen’s home (read the full story here). Not only was this a fantastic charitable act on behalf of these sponsors, but also the methods and processes they were able to demonstrate helped to break the mould. We have some awesome products, ideas and people available in New Zealand. HOBANZ wishes to highlight what is possible and this was a great step in that direction.
Aligning National Policy with Home Owner Expectations
HOBANZ is already being invited to housing related government policy discussions. It is essential that ultimately our nation’s laws support and embody best practice and are informed by multiple voices. The voice of homeowner is of vital importance when the government is making decisions about home ownership and how we live in our homes and communities.
