Lynette Haines is a 76-year-old Tauranga pensioner who wants one simple thing - a home.
"To be honest with you, I never thought I'd be in this position at this point in my life… it feels like I've been left out," she told Breakfast.
She's been living in a caravan since 2010 because it's an affordable option.
"It's hard on days where you get several days in a row that are wet and nasty and there are times where it's cold, especially in the winter time; the nights and early hours of the morning are freezing," Haines said.
Now, well into retirement, she needs a permanent, more suitable place to live that's easier to get around.
But three years into her search, she hasn't been able to secure a place. Why? The cost.
Haines isn't looking for a mansion. She simply wants a one bedroom ground floor unit with a walk-in shower (as opposed to one over a bath). Haines can pay up to $450 a week. It does need to be in the Tauranga area, as that is where all her friends live.
The search for something suitable has been exhausting. The cheapest she's been able to find is $200 above her budget.
"My dad was a Second World War vet and if he was alive, he would be very upset to think this is the way I'm winding [down]," Haines said. "It seems unfair and I know there are lot of people in my position."
In Tauranga, that is especially true. Earlier this year the Bay of Plenty was crowned as having the highest weekly median rent in the country at $670 – higher even than Auckland.
Breakfast posted to Facebook asking for people to get in touch if they were having trouble securing a rental in the Tauranga area – and the post received a whopping 850 comments, many from people on a desperate search similar to Haines.
This in the same week Statistics New Zealand figures revealed what we all know: The cost of living is astronomical.
Data from 2019 to 2023 shows spending on food rose by 30% to $300 dollars a week, transport went up 16% to $250 a week and housing and household costs spiked 15% to almost $400 a week.
It's an extremely challenging time for many, especially pensioners like Haines.
But she said that despite the difficult times she's faced, she's optimistic.
"I'm kind of living in hope really that something will come up that I can move to and unpack all my special belongings."
Do you have a possible rental for Lynette in the Tauranga region?
She’s looking for a one-bedroom ground floor unit with a walk in shower up to $400 per week.
Please email the Breakfast team: news@tvnz.co.nz with the subject line: LYNETTE
By Breakfast senior producer Cleo Fraser and camera operator Norton Isaac.
SHARE ME