Tetraplegic disputes $30k motel bill
A tetraplegic man is fighting ACC and the Ministry of Social Development over a $30,000 debt, accumulated after he was put up in a motel when there were no suitable homes with wheelchair access.
Both organisations stopped funding the motel even though John Horsfield, 53, had nowhere else to go. He was thrown from a scooter in February 2015, while travelling at 70 kilometres an hour.
”I landed squarely on my back. If I had rolled I would’ve broken my arms and legs,” he said.
Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Gagau Annandale-Stone said Horsfield didn’t qualify for emergency housing support, because he had significant cash assets, including a large ACC pay-out. “We advised John that we were no longer able to make the emergency grant non-recoverable, and he would need to pay it back,” he said.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.5% Yes
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8.1% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
Roger Hall's latest play at Circa Theatre
Roger Hall is back! With his latest comedy, End of Summer Time.
Experience Sir Roger Hall's End of Summer Time, the third instalment of the lovable character Dickie Hart, starring Gavin Rutherford.
Dickie Hart is told by wife Glenda they have to move from Wellington to Auckland. How will Dickie cope with apartment living, meeting new people, Covid lockdown, getting a new driver's licence…and possibly even having to support The Blues?
"Once again, clever Sir Roger Hall strikes comedy gold…End of Summer Time is a great night out. Don’t miss it!”
- Ross Jolly, Director.
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