3 July 2026: Pensioner housing

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Pensioner housing

Enquiry

I’m seeking information regarding the future of the Lucas Place pensioner housing complex.

Could you please respond to the following questions:

1. Can the council confirm the current number of occupied and vacant units at the Lucas Place pensioner housing complex?

2. What are the reasons for any current vacancies, and how long have these units been vacant?

3. Does the council have any current or proposed plans for redevelopment, disposal, or repurposing of the Lucas Place site? If so, what stage are these at?

4. Can the council confirm what legal constraints apply to the Lucas Place land under the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Act 1962, and how these affect any decisions about the site’s future?

5. Does any proposed change of use, redevelopment, or disposal require approval from the Minister of Conservation? If so, has any such approval been sought or considered?

6. How would any proceeds from a potential disposal of the land be distributed under the Act, and does this influence council decision-making?

7. Have any Lucas Place residents been advised, formally or informally, that relocation may be required in future? If so, when and in what context?

8. Has the council received any Tenancy Tribunal applications relating to Lucas Place, or the wider pensioner portfolio? If so, how many?

9. Is there currently any programme or timeline for upgrading, replacing, or reinvesting in the Lucas Place housing stock?

Response

From Group Manager - Infrastructure and Assets, Stavros Michael:

Can the council confirm the current number of occupied and vacant units at the Lucas Place pensioner housing complex?

38 tenanted and 28 vacant units.

What are the reasons for any current vacancies, and how long have these units been vacant?

Units may be vacant for a range of reasons, including changes in tenant circumstances, health-related matters, or because refurbishment and upgrading work is required to ensure they meet Healthy Homes standards. The length of time a unit remains vacant varies depending on the individual circumstances and the extent of the work required.

Does the council have any current or proposed plans for redevelopment, disposal, or repurposing of the Lucas Place site? If so, what stage are these at?

Rotorua Lakes Council is committed to better and more sustainable housing and support outcomes for our pensioner housing tenants as well as the wider ratepayer community.

We have always said that as part of our partnership with Emerge Aotearoa, we are keen to explore opportunities to renew and improve our pensioner housing to better meet the needs of current and future tenants.

Lucas Place is a potential site for redevelopment but work to investigate this is still progressing. Tenants who may be impacted have been informally advised that redevelopment of the site is being explored.

As things progress, tenants would be advised and any public announcements would follow.

Can the council confirm what legal constraints apply to the Lucas Place land under the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Act 1962, and how these affect any decisions about the site’s future?

We understand the land may be subject to the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Act 1962, and we are in the early stages of assessing any implications. No decisions have been made.

Does any proposed change of use, redevelopment, or disposal require approval from the Minister of Conservation? If so, has any such approval been sought or considered?

Refer to previous answer.

How would any proceeds from a potential disposal of the land be distributed under the Act, and does this influence council decision-making?

Refer to previous answer.

Have any Lucas Place residents been advised, formally or informally, that relocation may be required in future? If so, when and in what context?

Emerge Aotearoa has been actively engaging with tenants since late 2025 in preparation for the transition to new management of council’s pensioner housing and Lucas Place tenants who might be impacted have been advised of the potential for redevelopment as part of one-on-one discussions held with them.

Has the council received any Tenancy Tribunal applications relating to Lucas Place, or the wider pensioner portfolio? If so, how many?

There have been seven.

Is there currently any programme or timeline for upgrading, replacing, or reinvesting in the Lucas Place housing stock?

Refer to above information.