Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
Wednesday 2 December 2020
Back to back
Tasman are back-to-back Mitre 10 Cup premiership champions after edging out Auckland in a thriller at Eden Park on Saturday night. They returned triumphant into Nelson on Sunday as they were mobbed by fans. Full story on page 22.
Demand soars for rentals Kate Russell
Levana Noema Grout and her one-year-old daughter long for a place to call home. The 19-year-old single mum has been living in a Nelson motel room since July, as she navigates an evertightening Nelson rental market.
“I’ve probably applied for 60 to 70 places, and I look five times a day, every day.” She says she’s doing everything she can to impress landlords but feels her “young mum status” along with her lack of rental history puts her at the bottom of the list.
“I’ve written a letter about myself and my situation. I present myself really well and talk to the owners or agents, but I still don’t get anywhere.” Levana says it’s hard to call a motel room “home”. “I can’t really call it a home. It doesn’t have an oven. People
are constantly watching me and there’s not much privacy.” Levana moved to Nelson from Porirua two years ago and wants to stay here to pursue a career in animal care, which she is gaining from the Nelson Young Parents School. She is looking at all areas of
Nelson and Richmond and is open to any number of bedrooms. “I’m not fussy, I just need a home.” Levana says she is exploring all options and is also on the Ministry of Social Development’s housing
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