Summit Welcomes Government Commitment to Improving Housing Outcomes for Māori in Auckland
24 April 2018
The Auckland Māori Housing Summit has welcomed the government’s recognition of the impact of Auckland’s housing crisis and government housing policy and decisions on Māori in Auckland. The Summit also heard a clear commitment to improving those increasingly drastic housing outcomes.
The Summit was hosted by Te Matapihi he tirohanga mō te iwi Trust on the 23rd of April and supported by the Independent Māori Statutory Board.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Hon Phil Twyford, addressed the Summit speaking in depth about the government’s housing programme in Auckland, and how it is expected to deliver outcomes for Māori and Auckland through increases in housing availability across the spectrum from social housing to open market housing.
The Minister of Māori Development and Local Government, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, discussed housing from a Māori Development perspective by shifting the kaupapa from housing to kāinga, and through community based, community informed planning and development which recognises kaupapa Māori and Māori housing aspirations.
Hon Phil Twyford acknowledged the seriousness of the housing crisis for Auckland Māori with the home ownership rate among Māori now tracking below 30%. The Minister highlighted the impact this has on intergenerational wealth and resources, reducing opportunities to accumulate wealth to pass on to the next generation. This creates critical long-term impacts that must be addressed.
Responding to the kaupapa of the Summit and the strong attendance from among Auckland Mana Whenua and Mataawaka, the Ministers reinforced the government’s ambition to deliver housing solutions in partnership with Māori with Māori housing outcomes in mind.
Independent Māori Statutory Board member Tony Kake focused the Summit on improving outcomes experienced by whānau. “We need to acknowledge where Māori are at, and develop a model and a strategy that recognises Māori housing issues in their entirety and presents actions that will deliver better outcomes. That’s our litmus test.” Mr Kake said.
Mr Twyford said he is committed to working with Māori and iwi to develop a resourced Māori housing strategy as part of a new delivery-focused national strategy. The Minister expected that Māori would see the strategy as a means “to hold the government accountable”.
Te Matapihi and the Board have agreed to coordinate a further Summit in six months to test progress against expectations expressed by the Summit, and commitments made by government.