6. Question No. 6—House (Public Housing)TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)Question No. 6—House (Public Housing)6. TEANAU TUIONO (Green) to the Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing): Does she stand by her statement that the Government is monitoring what happens with rent rises and will take action if necessary"; if so does she think action is necessary now?Hon POTO WILLIAMS (Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)): Kia orana Mr Speaker. Yes the Government has taken action by making a number of changes to support renters by limiting rent increases to once a year banning rental bidding banning letting fees removing no-cause terminations and increasing the rates for the Accommodation Supplement for the first time since 2005. I would encourage those who have experienced a rent increase to get in touch with the Ministry of Social Development and access the support available and if they think their rent is too high to seek a rent reduction through the Tenancy Tribunal. We will continue to keep a close eye on rent prices and will take further action if necessary.Teanau Tuiono: How does she respond to this month's ANZ Insight report regarding inflation and in particular their statement that "for a poor household whose budget can barely cover the essentials even when inflation is low the choice quickly becomes: do I have lunch this week or pay the rent?"Hon POTO WILLIAMS: I have sympathy for people who are finding themselves in difficulty. There are a range of opportunities for people to take. If they feel their rents for example are too high—to access support through the Tenancy Tribunal and as I stated in the answer to the primary question there are also opportunities to seek assistance through the Ministry of Social Development.Teanau Tuiono: Is she concerned that according to Stats New Zealand's household income and housing costs-statistics: year ended June 2020 one in four tenants in New Zealand spend 40 percent or more of their income on rent?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: That does concern this Government which is why we have as I have already stated put measures in place to support tenants but also we have done far more in supporting families around their costs.Teanau Tuiono: Does she think it's fair for the onus to be on tenants to dispute annual rent increases through the Tenancy Tribunal and why does this responsibility not lie with landlords to justify why rent is increasing?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: Because that is the mechanism that is in place. We know that there have been cases taken to the Tenancy Tribunal that have been successful in that regard and I would also suggest that tenants get the support and advice from Tenancy Services.Teanau Tuiono: Does she think it is fair that rents in New Zealand have increased by 8 percent in the last year; and if not does she think that rental prices should come down?Hon POTO WILLIAMS: There are a number of measures for rent prices. We use Stats New Zealand rental price index which provides the most accurate and complete view of rent prices and changes. What I do want to say is that COVID has had an impact on the current spike that we are experiencing in rental prices because there were restrictions upon people being able to access view and get into new tenancies during the current lockdown. We're keeping an eye on that we're monitoring the situation and we will act if needed."