Lower Hutt's state flats known as 'the Bronx' up for refurbishment

Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Police talk about the homicide investigation at two apartments in a Petone HNZ complex at the centre in December. Eugene Baker pleaded guilty to the murder of Frank Tyson.

Two new apartment blocks are being planned for the Kāinga Ora flats at the eastern end of Jackson St, Petone, known locally as “the Bronx” which have been under refurbishment since last year.

The flats most recently came to national attention on 2018 when drug-dealing pensioner Frank Tyson was killed and beheaded with a bread knife by Eugene Baker in a turf dispute.

Kāinga Ora plan on constructing two new apartment blocks at the complex on Jackson St in East Petone. The flats have been the scene of numerous killings.

Kāinga Ora construction and innovation programme director Jonathan Scholes said the new plans would help update the 1960s era complex and increase the amount of state accommodation in the area.

Frank Tyson was killed at the flats in 2018.

* Petone murder victim Frank Tyson was rough but had 'heart of gold'

* Wellington decapitation: Eugene Baker pleads guilty to murder of Frank Tyson in Petone apartments

* Spruce-up for infamous Petone flats

The Jackson St flats were built in the 1960s.

Three of the four remaining 12-apartment blocks were being refurbished.

One of the blocks would be demolished to make way for the new development. Initial designs indicated the total number of flats at the site would increase from 48 to more than 70.

Plans also included community facilities – the state housing provider was consulting with the community as to what would best suit their needs.

Scholes was reluctant to discuss costs or a timeline as the project was still being discussed with stakeholders.

Neighbour Tom Ngarimu said the Bronx comparison – after the New York City borough formerly known for poverty and unemployment – used to be well deserved but the problems with drugs and violence were not as bad as they once were.

In 2013 Sio Matalasi was shot dead by Mongrel Mob members nearby, and in the same year Jessica Lee Keefe, 30, was found not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of her violently abusive Mongrel Mob member partner Sean Verma.

Ngarimu said any work to upgrade the site could only be good news.

Having lived across the road since 1971, he said besides the odd coat of paint, the flats had barely changed in nearly 50 years.

Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen said the complex was in need of attention. “As long as I can remember it’s been neglected.”

She was pleased residents and the wider community were being consulted on the new development. The complex needed to be more than just a roof over people’s heads, but a place where people could be comfortable and be part of a community.

Hutt South based National MP Chris Bishop welcomed the news saying the flats were among the oldest and least desirable of Kāinga Ora’s housing stock in the Hutt Valley.

More social housing stock in the valley was desperately needed, he said.