NOTE: Due to the unfolding nature of this topic, check back regularly for further updates which will be included at the end of this article. Thank you.
You may be aware that the Horowhenua’s pensioner houses have been sold as of last week. The announcement came shortly after the secret meeting precluded by the public allowed section when it was clear any last ditch attempts by the Mayor to delay the sale or even the decision to sell were squashed (all at the above link). We have been given eight weeks to hear who bought them but have been reassured that the new owners will be providing wrap around services far superior to what HDC have offered. We were also told they had to sell because of the financial logistics. Not viable. Too much debt. You can read the details of that in the various news reports.
Today, At the Nua, a Horowhenua FB page, posted a very pertinent and intriguing question. It appears someone has been doing a bit of research around the sale of the housing & come up with some interesting information … here is a quote from the page:
“Why on 16 May 2017 has a Wellington Developer, Willis Bond & Co, registered several new companies like “Compassion Horowhenua” and “WB Horowhenua”- so who is BEHIND the companies looking to acquire the community houses?
The councillors have led us to believe that the new owner is the “Sisters of Compassion” but are they just a “front” for a property investment by this Wellington Developer?”



UPDATES
31 May 2017
It’s been confirmed that the sale was/is to the property developer. This information is from At the Nua on FB :
“Confirmed – Wellington Property Development company Willis Bond & Co is behind offer to purchase Horowhenua Community Housing.
This company will be the OWNER of the Community Housing NOT Sisters of Compassion as we have been led to believe…”
In addition read our latest article taken from FB with permission and posted by the Horowhenua Ratepayers and Residents Assn. at their page:
A Horowhenua Group has presented 2,300+ signatures to HDC opposing the community housing sale & raise many unanswered questions about this secret deal (May 31, 2017)
EnvirowatchRangitikei
Oh my Goodness! This is all so wrong.
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Yes it isn’t sounding too good is it 12fluffyduck? We’ll see. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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Confused. Did the newly registered company ‘Compassion Horowhenua’ buy the properties? And if it did, are the directors of the company the Sisters of Compassion or is the common word ‘compassion’ just a red herring?
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We dont’ actually know who bought the properties. The folks at the FB source are clearly just joining dots at this stage & we’re to hear from the horse’s mouth in 8 wks presumably. I’ll post more info if it comes to hand.
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A certain property developer springs to mind!!!!!
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Well yes, it’s all very dodgy to say the least. Especially with the new revelations it sold for an absolute song. The developer initially named was obviously Willis & Bond. Praps folks can see now why HDC wouldn’t open the books. It all needs to be laid bare. Not holding my breath on that one though.
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