Absence from New Zealand
Clients on the register must advise MSD if they are leaving New Zealand as absence from the country may affect their need for housing and our ability to refer them to a housing provider to be matched to suitable housing.
Client leaves New Zealand permanently
Clients leaving New Zealand permanently are not eligible to be allocated social housing as they are no longer ordinarily resident.
Client leaves New Zealand temporarily
Clients leaving New Zealand for a temporary period must provide details of their travel dates and a contact address, ideally before departure if they want to remain available for referral during their time outside New Zealand.
For example, a client may need to travel:
- to a funeral
- to represent New Zealand at a sporting event
- to visit a sick relative or
- for a family emergency
Some clients will retain their level of housing need and may want to be considered for a property during their absence.
Client remains on the register
When the client remains on the register, they will continue to be actively managed and their circumstances regularly reviewed (unless they are grandparented clients). If the client fails to respond when contacted and their eligibility cannot be confirmed they will be removed from the register.
However, if a client makes contact within 8 weeks of being removed from the register, their application can be reinstated following a review of their circumstances.
