National - FFS!

[Bjauck]

..I think it should be strict and a tenancy bond is not a good reason.

It is very good reason if that would be the only way to move your family into a home. Not everyone would be able to afford home ownership even with Kiwisaver contributing to a deposit.

Anyway I think Kiwisaver should not be accessed early unless there is terminal illness.

[artemis]

It is very good reason if that would be the only way to move your family into a home. Not everyone would be able to afford home ownership even with Kiwisaver contributing to a deposit.
Anyway I think Kiwisaver should not be accessed early unless there is terminal illness.

There are varieties of welfare available to help people pay ingoing for a rental. Not necessary to be on a benefit. Loans, grants, TAS. Possibly Sustaining Tenancies initiative that is designed to support tenants to stay in their rental if they are in danger of being given notice to terminate.

Have to say, though, that the prospective landlord will know soon enough if they can't pay the initial requirement. Either because s/he will be asked to supply information to MSD or because the money doesn't turn up so the contract is cancelled.

[moka]

There are varieties of welfare available to help people pay ingoing for a rental. Not necessary to be on a benefit. Loans, grants, TAS. Possibly Sustaining Tenancies initiative that is designed to support tenants to stay in their rental if they are in danger of being given notice to terminate.

If you are on a benefit or the minimum wage it probably won’t cover your living expenses, let alone having any money left over to save for a rainy day, or a bond.

https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/housing/move-house/bond-and-rent-in-advance/bond-grant.html#null
Bond grant. If you're moving into a private rental and don’t have enough money to pay bond, we may be able to help.
We can pay up to the lesser amount of either:
4 weeks of rent, or
$2,000.
You don’t have to pay this money back.
You can only get one bond grant over 12 months.
If your application’s approved, we’ll pay the bond directly to the landlord.