Who we are

My name is Bruce Gordon, and I’m the founder of TenantSupport.org.nz and the Tenants Support community. I’ve been a renter for most of my life, and like many tenants across Aotearoa, I’ve dealt with damp homes, ignored repairs, confusing rules, and landlords who simply wouldn’t listen. After seeing the same problems happen again and again — both in my own rentals and in the stories shared by thousands of other tenants — I realised something needed to change.

I started the Tenants Support Facebook group to create a place where renters could get clear answers, share experiences, and support each other without judgement. What began as a small community quickly grew into one of the most active tenant support spaces in the country. People came together to help each other navigate a rental system that often feels stacked against them.

As the community grew, a team of dedicated volunteer admins stepped up to help. Every one of them is a tenant with real‑world experience — people who’ve faced the same challenges, fought the same battles, and know how overwhelming renting can be. They give their time because they care about fairness, clarity, and community.

TenantSupport.org.nz is the next step in that journey: a central hub where tenants can find reliable, plain‑English guidance on everything from repairs and rent increases to Healthy Homes standards and Tribunal hearings. No jargon. No judgement. No agenda — just support.

We believe informed tenants are empowered tenants. And we’re here to make sure no renter in Aotearoa has to face the system alone.

Our Mission

• Provide clear, accurate, plain‑English information for renters
• Help tenants understand their rights and take confident action
• Offer practical support for real‑world problems
• Build a nationwide community where renters can help each other
• Make renting in Aotearoa fairer, safer, and less stressful

Our Admin Team

Our admin team is made up of volunteers from across Aotearoa who bring their own experience, strengths, and perspectives. We’re tenants ourselves — not landlords, not property managers, not lawyers. We’ve lived through the same issues our members face, and we’re committed to keeping the community supportive, accurate, and safe.

Each admin contributes in their own way: answering questions, guiding discussions, helping tenants understand their rights, and making sure the group remains a calm, respectful place for everyone.

Meet the Admins

Bruce Gordon— Founder

I’m Bruce, a long‑time renter who’s seen more than enough of the challenges tenants face in Aotearoa. Over the years I’ve dealt with damp homes, ignored repairs, unclear rules, and landlords who simply wouldn’t communicate. I’ve watched other tenants go through the same things — often with even less support than I had. After seeing how confusing and stressful renting could be, I decided to build a place where tenants could get straight answers, real support, and a community that actually has their back. That’s how the Tenants Support group began, and it’s why TenantSupport.org.nz exists today.

Jessica — Admin

I’m Jessica, and I joined the Tenants Support admin team because I genuinely love helping people and learning new things. I spend a lot of time studying the Residential Tenancies Act and digging through the Tenancy Services website so I can give tenants clear, accurate information when they need it most.

I’ve been renting for around ten years, and like many tenants, my experiences have had their ups and downs — with most of the challenges coming from negligent property managers rather than landlords themselves. Those experiences are a big part of why I’m here. I want to make renting less stressful for others by sharing what I’ve learned and supporting tenants to stand up for their rights.

Amy -- Admin

My name is Amy, and I have been a renter for almost 20 years. Throughout this time, I have had a lot of negative and intimidating experiences with property managers and noticed a big power and knowledge imbalance. I have unfortunately ended up applying to Tribunal multiple times and found a lack of support for tenants in this area. I studied and kept up with the changes of the Residential Tenancies Act and offer to support to those who are in need. My aim is to help tenants gain the knowledge and confidence to assert their legal rights and stop tenants from being taken advantage of.

Anya Smith — Admin

I am Anya, I’ve been a tenant for more than 20 years and have experienced firsthand how confusing and unfair the rental system can be when tenants don’t know their rights. I’ve made mistakes, learned from them, and gained a deep understanding of how tenancy law actually works in real life — not just on paper. I now use that experience to support tenants, help them stand their ground, and hold landlords and property managers accountable to their legal responsibilities. Knowledge is power, and tenants deserve access to it.

Catherine — Admin

I joined this group following a recommendation from another member. At the time we shared a property manager who wasn’t particularly nice and was doing some shady and illegal acts. Some of the things I saw, heard and experienced during this time prompted me to learn more about tenants’ rights and the RTA. I have been here ever since.

As an admin, my role is to help tenants as much as I can but also keep those pesky landlords and property managers out of the group and attempt to keep them honest in their dealings by arming you with the knowledge and encourage you to stand up for your rights.

Admin Name 5 — Role / Focus

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Why We Built TenantSupport.org.nz

Facebook is great for community, but not for finding information quickly. Important posts get buried, answers get lost, and tenants often have to ask the same questions again and again.

This website fixes that.

TenantSupport.org.nz gives renters a place where:

• information is organised
• guides are easy to find
• templates are ready to use
• urgent help is one click away
• everything is written in plain English

It’s built by tenants, for tenants — and it will keep growing as the community grows.

Our Commitment to Tenants

We promise to:

• keep our information accurate and up to date
• write in plain English, not legal jargon
• stay independent and community‑driven
• support tenants without judgement
• continue improving the site based on what renters need

We’re here to help you feel confident, informed, and supported — no matter what rental challenge you’re facing.