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NZ agencies probe Samoan migrants' living conditions

New Zealand Government and local authorities are investigating reports of sub-standard living conditions for Samoan migrants recruited to work at a meat plant in a small Waikato town.There have been reports of families living in Benneydale in homes that are not insulated and have no heating, are isolated and have no public transport or interpreters.One migrant told Radio New Zealand their home had broken windows, holes in the walls and dirty carpet ridden with fleas. Both her children have had to go to hospital with skin infections.In a report to Waikato District Health Board (WDHB), Te Kuiti Hospital manager Thia Priestly says families arrive in Benneydale to work at Crusader Meats unaware the town has no shops or transport.Waitomo Mayor Brian Hanna said the council is investigating reports that some rental homes in Benneydale are in a poor condition.Inspections have been carried out at some of the houses and the council is working with a number of agencies to address the issue, he says.