Key Takeaways
- The owners of Farmhouse Lodge, Novia and Dawson Bliss, claim that a search warrant executed by Hastings District Council on November 26 was traumatic for their tenants, many of whom have mental health needs.
- The search, which lasted for six hours, resulted in tenants being kept outside without access to their rooms, toilets, vehicles, food, or medication.
- The council disputes some of the claims made by the Blisses, including that the stove was left on and caused a fire, and that tenants were detained during the search.
- The search was related to suspected building and activity-related offences under the Resource Management Act.
- The council has not yet made a decision on whether further action will be taken against the Blisses.
Introduction to the Incident
The fire that occurred at Farmhouse Lodge has compounded the stress of events that took place a month earlier, which remain raw for owners Novia and Dawson Bliss. On the morning of November 26, Hastings District Council compliance officers arrived at the door with police, asking Novia and all tenants to leave the property. The tenants were not allowed back inside for about six hours as authorities picked through the lodge and cabins one-by-one. This event has had a profound impact on the tenants, many of whom have mental health needs and were placed at the lodge by government agencies.
The Search Warrant
The search warrant was executed under the Resource Management Act and the Search and Surveillance Act, investigating suspected building and activity-related offences. A spokeswoman for Hastings District Council stated that an officer responsible for searching the Bliss residence had advised that the stove was turned off during the search. However, Dawson and Novia claim that the stove was left on and caught fire when they were finally allowed back inside. The council disputes this claim, stating that the officer had turned off the stove. The search was a traumatic experience for the tenants, who were kept outside for six hours without access to their rooms, toilets, or medication.
Impact on Tenants
The way the search warrant was carried out was particularly distressing for tenants with mental health issues. There was no support person present during the execution of the warrant, and several tenants were prevented from re-entering their cabins to use the bathroom or take medication. Some doors and private caravans were forced open during the search, with Dawson claiming that about five doors were broken. The council stated that a locksmith was on site to open locked doors and that any broken locks were replaced once the search was completed. The experience was traumatic for Novia, who felt she was "treated like a terrorist" and was left crying and screaming.
Lack of Communication
Dawson claimed that he was given no prior warning of the search and that he and his wife had received no updates from the council since. The council stated that residents were asked to leave the building or room they were occupying during the six-hour inspection for safety reasons and that they were free to leave the property to seek any services or support they required. However, the Blisses claim that they were not given any information about what the search was for or what they were doing wrong. Novia stated that if there was something wrong with the property, the council should tell them, so they could fix it.
Aftermath and Next Steps
A Hastings District Council spokeswoman stated that the property was revisited on December 2, 2025, when information was handed to Mr. and Mrs. Bliss regarding the search. Mr. Bliss was asked to put his questions in writing, but no correspondence has been received. Council compliance manager Sam Hayes stated that information gathered during the search was still being assessed, with no decision yet made on whether further action would be taken. The warrant was in relation to suspected offences under the Resource Management Act, relating to buildings and other activities. The Blisses are still waiting for answers and are concerned about the impact of the search on their tenants.