Queenstown woman couch surfing due to social housing waitlist

Thursday 22 May 2025 · 4 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 22 May 2025, 3:01pm

In this story Ministry of Social Development

Hine Taylor has been couch surfing for over five months while waiting for social housing in Queenstown. She reported being told that no emergency homes were available. Taylor estimated she knows approximately 10 other people in the area sleeping in cars, on the street, or couch-surfing.

How they headlined it

10:47am1:03pm3:01pm

1. RNZThu 22 May 2025, 10:47am

   The social housing waitlist: Woman told no emergency homes available at all (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab)

2. Otago Daily TimesThu 22 May 2025, 1:03pm

   'Stunned' at lack of emergency homes in South (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZThu 22 May 2025, 3:01pm

   Woman told no emergency homes available on social housing waitlist (opens in new tab)