After Stuff told his story, paralysed man’s five-year housing wait is over
Saturday, 11 July 2026
A man paralysed after a stroke who waited more than five years for a disability-friendly state house has finally had one arranged
Trevor Potter, 67, suffered a massive stroke in May 2020, which caused paralysis in one side of his body.
Trevor and his friend and full-time carer, Chris Clark, have waited years for a suitable state home, and their plight was featured in a Stuff story last year.
A housing error contributed to stroke survivor Trevor Potter waiting years for help. Now, he finally has a state home. Nicholas Jones reports.
A man paralysed after a stroke who waited more than five years for a disability-friendly state house has finally had one arranged, after Stuff reported on his plight.
Trevor Potter, 67, suffered a massive stroke in May 2020. His flatmate and friend, Chris Clark, saved his life - getting him to Auckland Hospital within half an hour, through Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and in time for doctors to remove a clot and restore blood flow to the brain.
However, the left side of Trevor’s body was left completely paralysed. After 12 weeks in hospital he returned in a wheelchair to the private rental he shares with Chris, on Kitchener Rd and bordering Sandringham Village, Auckland.
Chris became his friend’s full-time carer. A grant from Auckland DHB paid for a wheelchair ramp to the home, but it otherwise isn’t suitable for someone in Trevor’s condition.
The toilet and bathroom areas are cramped, with the shower over a narrow bath. Thick carpet means Trevor, a former barber, can not use his non-powered wheelchair, and it’s hard to move between rooms and doorways.
The area is very busy, and the home is sandwiched between a community centre and fast food restaurant and a café, which is open until the wee hours. There’s a pub further along, and more restaurants and food carts on the other side of the street.
Trevor tires easily and is more sensitive to noise after his stroke. Chris also struggles to sleep, and both nap during the day to try and cope with the disruptions.
They cannot afford a better rental, however, given Trevor is on the pension and Chris paid by Work and Income to care for him.
The friends applied for a state house in March 2021. After years of no action Chris approached Stuff in desperation.
Our story in July 2025 revealed they had been mistakenly dropped off the state housing register by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), which manages it, because the agency was waiting for more information to be supplied.
MSD apologised and reactivated their application, and about a month ago Chris was phoned by an employee of Kāinga Ora, and told they finally had a home, on nearby Kiwitea St.
“They did see your article. He said it was sad, and that he was quite shocked by the condition of our house, but was very pleased to offer us a property, if we were interested.”
They were, and the “thrilled” friends will move on Tuesday.
“It’s fantastic,” says Trevor. “It’s in a very good condition, and is a quiet street … I’ve got a vista to the front road, and a vista to the garden, so it’s going to be quite refreshing to have something to look at.
“The kitchen has been modernised, so I’m actually going to be able to start doing things in the kitchen.”
The noise on their current street often lasts until 2 or 3am, Trevor says, and being able to sleep at night again will be a massive relief.
John Tubberty, Kāinga Ora’s regional director central and east Auckland, told Stuff the agency was pleased to have been able to offer an accessible home in the same suburb.
“The home is better suited to their needs, with accessibility features including a ramp and a wet-area shower.
“Trevor and Chris have told us they are ‘stoked’ to be moving into their new home, and we’re looking forward to handing over the keys.”
Jules Lynch, MSD’s regional commissioner for Auckland South, said MSD was happy to know Trevor and Chris had secured a property, and had helped them pay moving costs.
“If people on low incomes are struggling to afford [moving house], we encourage them to contact us and discuss what they may be eligible for.”
Trevor and Chris recognise their good fortune isn’t yet shared by others who need accessible public housing, but remain on the wait list.
“It needs to be a separate list completely, so only those [modified] properties are earmarked for disability, because there are people who aren't disabled living in disabled-modified homes,” Chris says.