Jamie EnsorChief Political Reporter·NZ Herald·2 Jul, 2026 06:00 AM6 mins to read‌Housing Minister Chris Bishop (inset) approved the pay bump for Kāinga Ora chairman Simon Moutter. Photos / Dean Purcell, Mark MitchellThe head of housing agency Kāinga Ora has received a $54k pay hike despite previously saying he expected his organisation would shrink in “both scope and scale of the outcomes it is accountable for”.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop, who approved the pay increase, said it reflected updated guidance on