Houia, W., Dewes, K., & Mahuika, A. T.
Culture Economic Government Housing Need
Housing Corporation of New Zealand, ,
1988
In their report for the Housing Corporation, Houia and colleagues address the challenges faced by Māori in securing housing.
They point out significant barriers such as the difficulty in saving for a deposit, the high cost of housing, and the necessity for dual incomes and family support to afford a home. The report underscores high unemployment and low income as key factors contributing to the challenging housing situation. The authors note a decline in home ownership rates among the Māori, leading to a reliance on the private rental sector. This shift poses a particular challenge for rural communities, where rental properties are often scarce. Additionally, the report highlights a common issue in rural houses: small main rooms, which are not conducive to the Māori cultural practice of hosting whānau. Houia et al. also discuss policy changes in the 1980s, expressing concern over the Department of Māori Affairs’ diminished role in housing, which was transferred to the Housing New Zealand Corporation (HNZC). The report raises concerns about HNZC’s commitment to providing housing for the Māori, especially in rural areas where the Department of Māori Affairs was previously the primary housing provider. Another critical issue discussed is the impact of zoning regulations on the development of housing, particularly papakāinga housing. The traditional concept of papakāinga encompasses family housing and food cultivation areas on ancestral land, allowing for multiple houses on the same property. The report argues that district council zoning regulations often impede the development of papakāinga land for housing, highlighting a significant obstacle in preserving this traditional housing arrangement.
