Glossary

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Mediation

A process where an impartial person (the mediator) helps people with a problem to find their own solution.

Mediation Order

The agreement reached at mediation written down as a Mediation Order which the mediator signs. Usually the landlord and the tenant sign the agreement as well. Each person is given a copy of the Mediation Order.

Minimum contributions

A minimum contribution is the lowest percentage of your income or benefit that you can contribute to your KiwiSaver to be eligible for the deposit subsidy.
From 1 July 2007 to 31 March 2009 the minimum contribution was 4 percent of your income, 4 percent of minimum wage for non-earners or 4 percent of your yearly benefit for beneficiaries. From 1 April 2009, the minimum contribution was reduced to 2 percent of your income, 2 percent of minimum wage for non-earners or 2 percent of your yearly benefit for beneficiaries.
The contribution periods may change. For example you may have been a paid employee for one year, and then self employed for two years. This is acceptable as long as you were contributing the minimum contribution during both those periods, and they both add up to three years. This three year period can be longer than a calendar period, but must add up to three years.

Modified Home

A modified home is one which contains features that enhance the accessibility or suitability of a property for a customer with a disability.

MOH

Acronym for: Minister of Housing
Acronym for: Ministry of Health

MSD

Acronym for: Ministry of Social Development

NCC

Acronym for: National Contact Centre

NU

Acronym for: Neighbourhood Unit

NZ Resident

Someone who is normally and lawfully in New Zealand and intends to stay here, that is, they consider New Zealand to be their home.

NZDS

Acronym for: New Zealand Disability Strategy

OIA

Acronym for: Official Information Act

OT

Acronym for: Occupational Therapist

Other Person

People living at the property who are not tenants or partners or a dependent of a tenant or partner. Other people can include:

- friends
- other children who are financially independent
- relations
- boarders
- flatmates.

Papakainga Lending

Papakainga lending is available to enable people to borrow money to build or buy housing on Māori land in multiple ownership.

Periodic Inspection

Inspections performed as often as necessary to either owned or leased properties to ensure property and tenancy issues are actively managed.

Pre-approval

Pre-approval happens if you have not found a house or land to build on, but want to find out if you are eligible before you start house/land hunting. Pre-approval expires 90 days after it has been granted. It can be extended upon application.

Previous home owner

An individual or group of individuals who have previously owned a house/land before. They may be eligible for the deposit subsidy and first home withdrawal if they meet certain conditions regarding their ownership of assets and their level of income.

Queenstown Lakes District

This is determined by the Queenstown Lakes Council boundary.

QV

Acronym for: Quotable Value

Realisable assets

Realisable assets are belongings that you can sell to help buy a house. This can include savings, shares, land, boats and motor vehicles.
Housing New Zealand considers the following to be realisable:

- Money in bank accounts (including fixed and term deposits)
- Shares, stocks and bonds
- Investments in banks or financial institutions
- Building society shares
- Net equity in property or land (not being used as your home)
- Boat or caravan (if the value is over $5,000)
- Other vehicles (such as classic motorbikes or cars - not being used as your usual method of transport)
- Other assets valued over $5,000.

RFI

Acronym for: Request for Information

RMA

Acronym for: Resource Management Act

RTA

Acronym for: Residential Tenancies Act

SAS

Acronym for: Social Allocation System

Selwyn District

This is determined by the Selwyn District Council boundary.

Shared equity

A two year loan scheme which ended on 30 June 2010.
Housing New Zealand continues to offer the Welcome Home Loan.

Signatory

A person who signs the tenancy agreement.

SOI

Acronym for: Statement of Intent

State House

Property owned or managed by Housing New Zealand Corporation.

State Housing Appeals Authority

External body administered independently of Housing New Zealand Corporation comprising representatives appointed by the Minister.
Acronym: SHAA