Tenant Evicted Over Allegations of Cat Shooting and Threatening Neighbours

Kāinga Ora has ended the tenancy of a tenant in Whangārei’s Tikipunga, following allegations that cats were being shot and neighbors were being threatened.

Warning: This story contains details which some readers may find distressing.

Second Eviction in Tikipunga

Earlier, in January, Woodgate was also evicted by Kāinga Ora. He had been living in a two-bedroom property since October 14, 2024.

Kāinga Ora cited multiple violations including assault or threats of assault, and breaches of peace, comfort, and privacy. A nomadic tenant reported that on November 11, Woodgate had shot his cat and killed it, before pulling a slug gun on a neighbor upon confrontation.

Tribunal’s Decision

Tribunal adjudicator Jenny Robson concluded that given the lack of contradictory evidence, it was likely that Woodgate had made threats against his neighbor. Notably, she expressed concern that he may repeat such behavior in the future.

Kāinga Ora also cited other instances of troubling behavior. A neighbor witnessed Woodgate firing a BB gun outside, which led to the discovery of three dead cats near the property. Woodgate was reported to have threatened to harm a neighbor’s dog during a walk. The neighbor was new to the area with young children, raising significant alarm.

Further Allegations of Disturbing Behavior

Another neighbor described Woodgate as yelling and throwing objects in his backyard. On December 5, he reportedly stopped traffic at 8:30 AM, throwing minor items at children on their way to school.

There were also allegations that Woodgate visited a local neighbor’s property, demanding food, drinks, and other items, claiming he might be diabetic. Once invited inside, he reportedly made sexual comments about his actions involving the stumps of his legs. After being asked to leave, he allegedly threatened theft from the neighbor’s home, threw items in the street, and verbally abused passersby.

Historical Context

Prior to the current tenancy, Woodgate’s behavior had disrupted his former residence, making tenants feel unsafe. After only two and a half weeks, they left the premises, ending a seven-year wait for a Kāinga Ora property.

During his current tenancy, Woodgate’s behavior escalated consistently. Despite interventions from Kāinga Ora, police, and other tenants, there were significant concerns about his future compliance with tenant obligations.

Tribunal’s Ruling

Tribunal adjudicator Jenny Robson found that Woodgate’s behavior caused considerable distress to the neighbors. She ruled that terminating the tenancy was an appropriate response to resolve the situation.

At the time of the hearing, Woodgate was incarcerated, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

rnz.co.nz