Kingi, V., & Viriaere, H.
Government Housing Need Housing Schemes Land
Resource Management Journal, November Edition, 1-7
2015
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This article examines the evolution of the housing space in New Zealand, with a specific focus on the challenges and developments concerning Māori housing, particularly on multiply owned Māori and treaty land.
It delves into the political and social aspects of housing affordability and the quality of living conditions for Māori. The paper highlights the historical factors that have contributed to the current state of Māori housing, including colonial practices and government policies. The authors explore the historical context of Māori housing, from communal settlements to the impact of colonial policies, leading to modern challenges like low homeownership rates and poor housing conditions. The paper also outline current Māori housing need, using statistical data to emphasis the growing requirement for Māori housing. There is also a focus on recent developments and collaborative efforts to improve Māori housing, offering insights into innovative strategies being employed to address affordability and quality. The trials faced by tangata whenua groups, such as Mangatawa and Horaparaikete Trust, in building papakāinga on Māori land are discussed in detail. The article highlights successful models by Ngā Pōtiki and Mangatawa, suggesting these as potential templates for other land and treaty settlement trusts. These experiences have influenced government, council, and agency policies towards better support for such initiatives. Papakāinga are typically small-scale developments providing affordable rentals, but there is a growing interest in larger-scale, mixed-use developments, which they authors argue should be a significant focus of central government. The case of Ngā Pōtiki, a treaty settlement tribe planning a significant residential project, exemplifies this shift. collaboration among Māori organisations, local and central government is emphasised as crucial for addressing these challenges and achieving large-scale, sustainable housing solutions. The article argues such support for large-scale affordable housing projects should be seen as an investment in various social outcomes like housing, health, education, employment, and productivity, contributing to regional economic growth and the development of productive members of society.
