29 April 2026 
 
 
File Ref: 26-0095  
 
 
 
 
 
Miss M Quicken 
[FYI request #33917 email] 
[email address] 
[email address] 
 
 
Tēnā koe Miss Quicken 
 
Thank you for your emails of 2 March 2026 to Te Kaunihera o Pōneke | Wel ington City Council (the 
Council) requesting the following information: 
 
There are two hostels that have undergone change of use from residential to commercial; 
 
a) House of Pirie (38 Pirie Street, Mt Victoria) 
b) Wellington Wibes Hostel, formerly House of Tawatawa (112 Quebec Street, Owhiro Bay) 
 
In addition both properties trade through other hotel booking platforms as well as AirBnB 
indicating year around use with 20 or more intended occupants in either properties with stays 
of both less than and over 28 days. 
 
Despite al  of this council is charging both of these commercial properties residential rates. 
 
Please provide resource & building consent, change of use applications as well as 
determinations by the council relating to these two properties. 
 
Additionally please provide the documentation how these properties meet residential rating. 
 
In addition please provide al  the notices and orders pertaining to these two commercial 
properties the council has issued which are rated as residential 
 
Please provide the certificate of public use of these two properties; 
 
Your request has been considered under the Local Government Of icial Information and Meetings Act 
1987 (LGOIMA). Please find my response below.  
 
Rates 
Commercial accommodation is defined as Land used for commercial accommodation for which a tarif  
is charged and where the principal purpose is the provision of short stay (28 days or less) 
accommodation.  
 
The properties in question have been listed as residential for as long as our rating records allow us to 
search. We do not have a record of a change of use.  
 
The Council is currently satisfied that the properties are not being operated commercially however, 
your concerns regarding the properties have been passed on to the appropriate Council Of icers for 
consideration. 
Consent Documentation 
 
 
 
 

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Building and Resource Consent information can be viewed and requested through the Building 
consent search, linked here - https://digital.wellington.govt.nz/services/building-consents/search. 
Please note that fees may apply. 
 
I trust this information is helpful. If you have any concerns about this response please contact 
of [email address]. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to raise any concerns 
with the Of ice of the Ombudsman at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602. 
 
 
Nāku noa, nā 
 
 
 
 
Chelsea McHugh 
Senior Advisor Of icial Information 
Of icial Information & Privacy 
Wellington City Council 
 
 
Wel ington City Council   |   2 of 2 
 
 

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