Wellington social housing tenant evicted after alleged broomstick assault
Wednesday, 29 April 2026
A Wellington social housing tenant has been evicted after allegedly hitting another tenant over the head multiple times with a broken broomstick.
Te Toi Mahana, the independent trust that took over the running of Wellington City Council housing, took Carlos Borell to the Tenancy Tribunal and successfully terminated his tenancy at the Daniell St flats in Newtown.
Borell did not attend the hearing, but four other tenants in the complex did.
The victim, who lived in the complex, said that on February 27 he realised something was missing from his house and asked Borell, who had allegedly taken things from him before, if he had taken it. Borell denied this.
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The next day, the victim knocked on Borell’s door to again ask him but, when Borell came to the door, he allegedly punched him twice in the stomach then in the back with both feet, knocking the victim to the ground.
The victim said he got up and started walking towards his house, but Borell got a broken broomstick and hit him on the back, arm, then three times to the head.
“[The victim] said he did not have any physical injuries and was not in pain after the attack, but had the wind knocked out of him as he fell to the ground and that it was very painful at the time,” the ruling says.
“[The victim] confirmed he feels very scared and threatened and is worried about the tenant returning to his flat. He said he locks his door all the time now and is very worried about his safety.”
Another tenant gave evidence that Borell was known to take items from other flats and that, on the day of the assault, he heard arguing and saw Borell holding a broomstick though did not see him hit the victim.
Yet another tenant said he heard the victim calling for help and saw Borell holding the victim to the ground.
“[He] said he has had other dealings with Mr Borell, when he has tried to force his way into [the tenant’s] flat and another incident when [he] woke up from a nap to see a man, whom he thought was Mr Borell, standing in his flat and then he said the man ran out when he confronted him.”
A final tenant confirmed he saw Borell and the victim struggling. Borell told Te Toi Mahana he had only pushed the victim out of his flat.
Te Toi Mahana told the tribunal police had arrested Borell with the case before the court, although it was not certain what became of the case.
The tribunal found it “more than likely” Borell assaulted the victim and terminated his tenancy immediately.