Winiata, W.
Culture Government Housing Need Housing Quality
New Zealand Māori Council., ,
1983
Winiata’s report provides a comprehensive collection of submissions on Māori housing, offering a critical perspective on the housing issues faced by the Māori community in New Zealand.
This work, released under the auspices of the New Zealand Māori Council, serves as an aggregation of viewpoints, concerns, and recommendations related to Māori housing, reflecting a wide array of voices from within the Māori community. As Winiata writes at the outset: “This paper takes the position that it is the right of every New Zealander to be satisfactorily housed and that the housing which is being built or purchased by the Housing Corporation and the Department of Māori Affairs is an acceptable measure of what is satisfactory. Moreover, those members of our community who from their own income and financial resources cannot afford to meet the financial commitments which are associated with the purchase of satisfactory homes through the Housing Corporation or through the Department of Māori Affairs should be offered arrangements which make home acquisition possible for them.” The report was commissioned in response to the Cornwall Report, and argued that a special housing programme was vital because of cultural difference, the lower average socioeconomic status of Māori, and overt racism in the housing market. Winiata’s compilation is also significant for its inclusive and participatory approach, capturing the diverse and often underrepresented perspectives on housing needs and policies affecting the Māori population. The submissions included in this work cover a range of topics, from the analysis of existing housing conditions and challenges to the exploration of potential solutions and policy recommendations. The document delves into issues such as housing affordability, access to adequate housing, cultural appropriateness of housing solutions, and the impact of government policies on Māori communities. A key feature of this compilation is its advocacy for policy changes and resource allocation that are more attuned to the unique needs and circumstances of the Māori people. The submissions collectively call for greater involvement of Māori in decision-making processes related to housing and emphasise the need for housing strategies that are both culturally sensitive and effective in addressing the disparities faced by Māori communities.
