"The Tenancy Tribunal issues around 20,000 orders a year and the public will now be able to access decisions online though the Ministry of Justice website," Barker says.

The database will be made up of current Tenancy Tribunal decisions and orders. Landlords and tenants will be able to search a website containing all Tenancy Tribunal decisions, although these will be historic - the appeal period for each decision having passed.

Users will be able to search for orders using the Tenancy Tribunal application number, the address of the residence, or the name of one of the parties involved.

NZ Property Investors’ Federation (NZPIF) president Martin Evans says the initiative reduces the risk for both landlords and tenants by making the information accessible to both parties. “The end result is that good landlords and tenants will be better protected, leading to a better industry overall.”

“With over 300,000 landlords in New Zealand and over 464,000 residential rental properties worth around $150 billion, the database should prove to be an extremely useful tool for private landlords, who are currently, and will continue to be, the largest providers of good rental accommodation in New Zealand,” he says.

"I encourage people to make use of this service and provide feedback and suggestions," Barker says.

To access Tenancy Tribunal orders online visit www.tenancytribunal.govt.nz