| 26.10.06
:: Terrence Aschoff, Manager CHRANZ
The Centre for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ) has released today research that investigates Māori housing experiences and aspirations to identify emerging trends and issues. The research by the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit and Research Centre for Māori Health and Development – Massey University was jointly funded by CHRANZ and Te Puni Kōkiri.
The key findings include:
Despite low and declining homeownership rates of less than 50%, most Māori have a strong desire to own their own homes.
The main barriers to homeownership (especially for larger and younger Māori families) are low incomes, high debt levels, poor access to finance, high property prices and lack of information about homeownership.
Māori householders and renters are generally positive about their housing experiences but face particular challenges in rural and urban areas, including housing supply, quality, pricing, and variation in landlord practices.
Māori housing preferences and experiences must be understood in terms of Māori cultural practices, the importance of proximity to whānau and whānau land and lineage-based shared property rights. Proximity to whānau is crucial in preferred house location with Māori households often accepting substandard housing as a result.
Housing policy responses have been inconsistent and uncoordinated between delivery agencies. Some current polices have been positive for Māori, others are still being assessed. Consequently, the gap between Māori housing realities and aspirations continues to widen.
In response, the authors recommend building on existing housing policies to develop new initiatives to overcome barriers to improving Māori housing circumstances.
A full copy of the research report is available online. A copy of the CHRANZ Research Bulletin is available online.
For further information please contact:
Terrence Aschoff
CHRANZ
terrence.aschoff@chranz.co.nz
Phone: 04 439 3326
or
Jaewynn McKay
Te Puni Kōkiri
jaewynn.mckay@tpk.govt.nz
Phone: 04 819 6008
Phone: (027) 246 9076
or
Charles Waldegrave
Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit
Phone: 021 671 673
Phone: 04 566 44 91
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