James, B., & Saville-Smith, K.
Economic Government Housing Need Housing Quality Housing Schemes
Te Puni Kokiri, ,
2019
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This is one of five reports that aims to quantify Māori housing needs in Te Tai Tokerau to inform funding allocation and support scalable methods for similar assessments in other regions.
Four previous substantive reports provide a detailed analysis of current housing supply and demand, housing-related wellbeing, demographics, and the condition of housing stock used by Māori. This report recommends future research requirements of government agencies to assist them to getter target their resources and support whānau of Te Tai Tokerau using the findings of the four previous reports. The research highlights significant housing stress among Māori households, with over 55% of Māori renters experiencing financial strain due to housing costs and a notable decline in Māori home ownership rates to 44% in 2018. At the same time, there are 3,450 households identifying as Māori in the rohe, 9,760 private dwellings in the rohe, although a relatively large proportion, 24% (2,380) were unoccupied. Additionally, it points to a higher incidence of poor housing conditions, including issues related to dampness, cold, and disrepair, disproportionately affecting Māori communities. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted housing interventions and policy adjustments to address the disparities in housing conditions and affordability experienced by Māori in Te Tai Tokerau. As the authors conclude, considerable urgent investment is needed to improve the quality of both rental and owner occupied stock. This assessment provides a crucial baseline for understanding the multifaceted housing challenges faced by Māori in Te Tai Tokerau. By leveraging existing datasets and focusing on a range of factors including supply and demand, wellbeing impacts, demographic trends, and housing conditions, the reports offer valuable insights into the specific housing needs of the Māori population in this region. The research effectively highlights the critical areas requiring immediate attention and future research to enhance housing affordability, quality, and overall wellbeing for Māori communities.