A misleading headline
A headline in the HoS:
Housing New Zealand closes offices in favour of call centre
So this makes it sound like Housing NZ is closing offices.
People in desperate need of housing will soon have to call a national call centre rather than visit a Housing New Zealand office, a change that has angered voluntary services.
And this also makes it sound like Housing NZ is going to a phone only model.
People in need wanting to meet Housing New Zealand staff will have to pre-arrange an appointment through an 0800 number or via their website.
Later on you find that in fact the only thing changing is that people need to make an appointment in advance. There will still be dozens of offices with hundreds of staff meeting and helping people.
So a very misleading headline. Note the article writer does not write the headline – they are made up by sub-editors.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
As far as headlines go, it’s not misleading. It is a blatant lie. Subeditor needs to be punished analy to deter this kind of lies in the future.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Headline has no representation to the truth of what occurring is that HNZ requires you to ring and make an appointment.
Big deal, you shouldnt expect to turn up to a HNZ office unless there is someone with some free time available to see you. Otherwise you impact the HNZ staff ability to help other people who have made an appointment and need help.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
You’re spinning faster than a washing machine Farrar – the HNZ spokesperson confirmed this morning on National Radio that there will be job losses as a result of this at HNZ.
How is someone who only has a pre-pay mobile (and no internet) meant to get in contact with HNZ? They’ll get charged for the call including all the time that they’re on-hold waiting to speak to a human. Isn’t it time that National started listening to the voluntary sector that is being overloaded picking up the pieces because of failure in Govwernemtn policy.
[DPF: The headline said the offices were closing. They are not. And have you not heard of 0800 numbers? idiot]
February 27th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
0800 numbers cost money to call now?
February 27th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@MikeG because 0800 numbers (aside from Vodafone) get charged. The point of 0800 is that they are free.
Who’s spinning what now
February 27th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Oh. I was under the impression shops were actually closing. That impression was formed with Radio NZ leading with the same untrue headline.
So thanks media, your credibility is further into negative territory.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
dime – they do on pre-pay plans
February 27th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
@MikeG, which Telco are you with they’re free on Vodafone and 2 Degrees (I haven’t checked Telecom)
Of course if you phone IRD on a mobile you get this delightful voice message from IRD telling you to phone from a landline, but that’s IRD being idiots and you’re not charged for the 0800 call.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
ah ok.
well in that case. who cares. go to the library and use the net.
February 27th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Oh come on dime. If they had that much initiative and work ethic they wouldnt need Housing NZ.
Jesus next you’ll be suggesting they use a pay phone, borrow a nieghbours land line, cancel the sky to get a phone….
February 27th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
can’t use the library dime, phool’s on it all day.
February 27th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
PIA not at the rate he’s being banned from major NZ political blogs
February 27th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Sorry, I was wrong – it’s based around the holder of the 0800. However, my point still remains – this is making it harder for the tenants to contact HNZ, and it must not be forgotten that they (HNZ) exist as they provide a social service, they are not (or should not be) just a landlord.
February 27th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Mike G @ 1.12pm The HNZ spokesperson on Radio NZ this morning DID say there would be job losses but not as many as the 300 the interviewer suggested. (Wrong again).
February 27th, 2012 at 3:35 pm
trout – she wouldn’t say how many there would be – “it is still being worked through” were her words I think.
ok, so Farrar calls me an idiot – how about addressing the points I raised (in addition to the 0800 number) rather than abuse? I think I hit a nerve there! idiot
btw, I have apologised about the 0800 error.
February 27th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Two things here:
1. There is indeed a problem with 0800 from mobiles – some 0800 holders allow such calls, some bar them. Since landline ‘penetration’ is starting to decline this is a matter 0800 holders need to address. Cell companies could take a lead there by offering agencies a reasonable charge for receiving 0800 calls from their cell phones and agencies could negotiate with cell companies for direct lines from the cell networks to the call centre.
2. Frankly, I would welcome a means where one could ‘book’ via internet a face to face meeting or a call centre chat – you could give a time ‘window’ and someone would ring back when things are a bit slack.
You would not bowl up at your accountant’s or other professional’s office and expect to be seen immediately – why not for Government agencies?
February 27th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
I don’t think that HNZ ‘clients’ have an accountant, so don’t have that sort of expectation. You seem to be forgetting that the large percentage of people living in HNZ houses are the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum, and often have trouble with English, not to mention a poor literacy level. These are the poor and vulnerable in our society, and HNZ is making it even harder for their voice to be heard.
February 27th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
I gather you drew the short straw this afternoon MikeG.
Tough luck!
You’ll need to do better though. Start with “What about those with only pre-paid ‘phones and no money on them?”
Won’t get you a better hearing but won’t sound as bloody silly either.
February 27th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Do the councils that run the public libraries know that their staff are going to become de facto Housing NZ staff and help people contact HNZ? The letter encouraged those without a phone to try logging on to the HNZ website at a public library. The current contact form requires a phone or email address which many people still don’t have – http://www.hnzc.co.nz/contact-us This process could take time……
February 27th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
Thanks for the advice Tinman – I’m a big boy so I can take it. I’m just annoyed that it diverted from the real issues that the changes will create.
February 27th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Quick tip if you’re a Westpac customer and use phone banking via your mobile. Use 0800 400 600 – NOT 0800 172 172 (as they suggest on their website) and you won’t get charged.
February 27th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Thank you for the tip Noskire! It works, so thank you very much!