Housing New Zealand has been accused of being patronising after telling tenants they need approval to set up paddling pools, and the water needs to be emptied before they are put away.
Housing New Zealand's advice to tenants is that paddling pools should be no more than 40cm high. Photo: 123RF
The advice, sent out in a summer newsletter, also reminded tenants paddling pools should be no more than 40cm high.
Labour Party MP Trevor Mallard said the advice was gratuitous and having tenancy managers inspect a paddling pool was a total waste of time.
"I would have thought it's easy enough for tenants to measure their own paddling pools," he said.
"I think it's an indication of this government's attitude to people that rent houses. They are very, very patronising."
Housing New Zealand Minister Bill English said the agency was just trying to be a good landlord by giving safety advice.