Our Objectives
Our Coordinator Cam Jenkins
- To support the welfare of tenants of the Manawatū region
- To advise, assist and generally support tenants in their dealings with landlords
- To empower tenants to act in their own best interests in regard to their accommodation needs
- To educate the community on the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords
- To network with other government and community agencies
The Manawatū Tenants' Union is administered by a voluntary Board that is elected annually. Our Coordinator is Cam Jenkins, bringing experience as a union representative and advocacy through MaLGRA. Supporting Cam is Daniel Ryland who has been with the Manawatū Tenants' Union since 2014.
Read our Constitution and Rules (pdf 5.5mb).
Read our Constitution and Rules (pdf 5.5mb).
How we help
Support
We provide relevant information to meet your needs and make appropriate referrals to other agencies. Where necessary, we can provide support at Tenancy Tribunal hearings or mediation meetings. We have immeasurable organisational and community experience and memory with which to mobilise housing solutions.
Advocacy
We make submissions to central and local government on issues and laws affecting tenants. We also support and participate in community networks to build tenant advocacy skills. We also directly advocate on behalf of tenants during tenancy disputes.
Education
We provide information to tenants, and seminars to any interested parties about the rights and obligations of tenants. We also engage with the media with interviews about housing issues and run awareness campaigns about important housing issues.
Our History
The Manawatū Tenants' Union was incorporated in 1983 for the purpose of education, support, and advocacy to support tenants and facilitate housing stability. The group began as a collection of concerned activitists seeking social justice and equality in housing. We are a community development organisation with strong networks that include many social service providers, community development organisations, tertiary institutions, government agencies, housing providers, and advocacy groups. We have a well-documented and established history of delivering problem solving services to anyone experiencing tenancy difficulties.
Since our founding, we have been a part of the Housing Network, Housing Needs Monitoring Group, Tenant Advocates' Network, and have remained engaged with local and central government to improve housing policies for renters. See some of our press releases on Scoop.
Kevin Reilly, our Coordinator from 1986 to 2018.
Ben Schmidt, our Coordinator from 2018 to 2022.
Funders and Supporters
