10.08.07 :: Terrence Aschoff, Manager CHRANZ

The Centre for Housing Research, Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ) has today released research that investigates the housing experiences and aspirations of Pacific people in New Zealand, and identifies developing trends and issues for Pacific Housing. The research also identifies potential solutions to current and future housing problems. The research was carried out by Koloto & Associates Ltd, in collaboration with the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, and Gray Matter Research Ltd. It was jointly funded by CHRANZ and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.

The key findings include:

• Pacific people share the same aspirations for home ownership as other New Zealanders. However, census data reveals declining home ownership ratios from 1991-2006 with Pacific home ownership ratios well below those for other groups.

• The Pacific population in New Zealand is, on average, younger, poorer and growing faster than for the New Zealand population as a whole.

• The cultural factors that underpin home ownership aspirations are very strong, and Pacific people face challenges in achieving them, including matching requirements for the size of house with relatively low household income levels, cultural expectations (hospitality, regular family meetings and rituals) and difficulties in accessing information.

• Cultural factors provide both opportunity and constraint. The strong expectation that Pacific people will contribute financially to family, church and community can be offset by opportunities to call on family for financial support.

• Research participants found it hard to access housing information. Many were unaware of the support that is currently provided by Government agencies.

The authors of the research recommend that the initiatives set out in the New Zealand Housing Strategy for Pacific people are progressed and that stronger links with Pacific groups are needed to:
- improve access to housing information, services and finance,
- market the range of services and programmes already provided,
- develop initiatives to allow Pacific people to benefit from Pacific cultural practices, including income sharing among extended families.

The authors also recommend that Housing New Zealand Corporation continues to improve the supply of state housing in terms of quality and design for larger Pacific households and improves its services as a landlord.

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

Dr ‘Ana Koloto
Koloto & Associates Ltd
ana@koloto.co.nz
Phone: 09 270 6437

or

Angie Enoka
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs
04 4718 245
027 672 3497