Kainga Ora's changing up how it helps tenants keep on top of rent

It's toughening up on rental debt and will end the tenancies of people skipping rent and don't attempt to get back on track.

But it says consistently-paying customers who owe more than 12 weeks' rent, will have debt forgiven and reduced.

Kainga Ora Chief Executive Matt Crockett says under the Go Forward policy they'll get on to tenants earlier when their rent starts mounting.

But he says if they're unwilling to engage or work out repayment plans - they could lose their tenancy.