Son comes to rescue of pensioner about to lose his home

A pensioner about to lose his home for unpaid rates is resting easy after his son made an arrangement with the council that wanted him out.

Stuff reported on Thursday that 75-year-old retired engineer Justin Gregory was facing the loss of his house due to unpaid rates.

His home was one of two advertised as up for sale after Napier City Council gained High Court orders under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.

Another homeowner, Sharon McCleary, was also facing the loss of her home.

By mid afternoon, relatives of McCleary and Gregory, had contacted the council.

A council spokeswoman said “we are pleased that family members of both Mr Gregory and Ms McCleary have been in contact with council, and we are hopeful that a good outcome can be reached for everyone involved.”

More messages from your neighbours

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff Enter Here