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RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Auckland homelessness spike: Who, or what, is to blame?
Outreach providers say there's been a 90 percent increase in homelessness in Auckland since September last year. Photo: RNZ / Luke McPake Auckland councillors are calling on the government to take action over the growing homelessness problem in the city. Outreach providers say there has been a 90 percent increase in homelessness in Auckland since September last year, after the government tightened up emergency housing eligibility rules . The council's Community Committee wants the government to work with frontline agencies and make sure they are using up-to-date data when dealing with the issue. "No one I know wants to see Kiwis living without shelter, and we're very concerned with the level of rough sleeping and people in cars, and in tents and other things, including in Auckland," Associate Minister for Housing Tama Potaka told Morning Report on Wednesday. Community Committee chair, Councillor Angela Dalton, told Checkpoint on Tuesday recent government policy changes had "made it harder for people to access emergency housing", as had declining people deemed to have contributed to their own lack of accommodation. "I think there's some policies that have been changed that show a lack of compassion because they are making assumptions that people are not trying hard enough." Potaka said there were "a lot of contributing factors and causes" behind the rise in homelessness. "There's a number of things that this government is doing, whether or not it's the build program, making sure we build another 500 social homes in Auckland, Māori housing, Kainga Ora, 1500 new homes with chips, resetting the housing system. You would have heard us talking about granny flats and enabling those… and I look forward to the council actually supporting those actions." Potaka said he had "directed officials to identify some potential target interventions and understand the utilisation rates across transitional housing first, and other support programmes, to make sure we're getting the right utilisation of programmes. "We're also liaising with a lot of those providers like Strive, Auckland City Mission… and a whole range of others in Auckland." He said there was "different data", and "a bit of ambiguity" around how a recent Salvation Army report came to the conclusion there had been a 386 percent rise in people denied help because they had contributed to their own homelessness . "It's very hard to attribute one particular cause… You can't attribute [the rise] just to a policy change. There's a range of causes, and one of the biggest ones, of course, is disconnection with families and with whanau - and that's one of the biggest contributors to people sleeping rough." Ministry of Social Development (MSD) said in June 36 percent of applications for emergency housing were declined, mostly often "because their need can be met in another way", according to group general manager enablement Karen Hocking. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Of those declined emergency housing because it was deemed they had contributed to their own homelessness, Potaka said two-thirds still got some form of assistance. "Overall, the vast majority of people, between 85 percent and 90 percent who apply for emergency housing, get some sort of support for emergency housing." He would not detail what actions could be considered as contributing to one's own homelessness. "There could be a range of circumstances. I'm not going to go into the various types of circumstances that can emerge, but sometimes people do that… "There's a responsibility framework that goes with emergency housing. People who have a genuine need for short-term temporary accommodation in most big towns and cities in New Zealand, there is support, but there is a responsibility framework that goes with it. "For example, you have to undertake some training when you're in emergency housing around budgeting and other things, or getting ready to rent. There's a whole bunch of programmes within the emergency housing framework that are in place to support people to transition out and get to a place which they can stay in a more enduring manner than emergency housing - a catastrophe we all know about." MSD's Hocking gave some examples, however. "We have some concerns that the data used by the National Homelessness Data Project does not adequately reflect the support we are providing New Zealanders," she added. Potaka said rather than just government, it was "actually a whole lot of society that's responsible" for solving the issue, including "councils, whanau, iwi Māori, charitable organisations". "We've got a huge build programme that's in place right now around community housing providers, and a range of others who are actually building homes that hopefully will be suitable for those that have got serious housing deprivation - whether or not that's on the street or people on the social housing waitlist, which, by the way, has come down about 5000 families since we got into administration." Opposition parties have blamed the rise on homelessness on the government's policies . Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
7 days ago
- Politics
- 1News
'Many' link Govt's emergency housing policy to homelessness rise
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka has acknowledged reports of rising homelessness but says it's "not just down to one thing" as he defends the Government's tougher rules for emergency housing. Potaka was grilled on the issue on Q+A, where he conceded the changes to increase scrutiny for emergency housing support applicants have been "reported by many" as contributing to making more people homeless. When asked directly whether the policy changes had contributed to leaving more people homeless, the minister said: "That's a very strong view that many people have." But Potaka refused to make that connection himself, instead attributing claims of a link to "anecdotal" reports and what others had reported. Person helps person up (file image). (Source: ADVERTISEMENT "There's a range of factors that influence [homelessness], and the changes to the emergency housing policy have been reported by many people as being a contributor." The Government introduced tougher eligibility for emergency housing last year, including scrutiny of whether people had "unreasonably contributed" to their own housing need. When interviewer Jack Tame suggested the policy could've "put more people on the street", Potaka said: "Those are the things that we have acknowledged that there are some challenges, and we are responding to those with agility." His office later clarified to Q+A this did not mean the Government was actively considering changing emergency housing settings. Reacting to the minister's interview, the Greens said he was "refusing to take any accountability" for the outcomes of the harsher policies. Govt's policies 'very, very harsh', providers tell minister Speaking to Q+A, the minister confirmed an updated briefing on homelessness from the Housing and Urban Development Ministry had found rough sleeping had increased "in some areas". He insisted the rises may be down to a range of factors. ADVERTISEMENT Tougher emergency housing rules and two-strike warning policy for tenants has meant more young people on the streets, says charities. (Source: 1News) Potaka said the latest insights briefing he had received showed "there's a whole range of potential causes, including that, but a whole range of other things", such as mental health, addiction, cost of living, and other physical health issues. "It does recognise, throughout the country, there are community housing providers [and] councils who are saying, hey, there's a big, big challenge with homelessness." Some providers had described the emergency housing policy as "harsh", Potaka said. "They report that the emergency housing policy is very, very harsh. That's what some of the anecdotal reports are saying." The associate minister said he would release the homelessness insights report "soon", but did not provide a specific timeframe. Potaka maintained there were multiple factors behind rising homelessness: "What they're saying is we've got a whole range of causes." Labour has been pressuring the Government over the report earlier this week. ADVERTISEMENT The senior minister spoke to Q+A's Jack Tame. (Source: Q and A) Housing Minister Chris Bishop denied that homelessness and rough sleeping were rising as a result of the Government's changes in a Q+A interview in March. 'Refusing to take responsibility' - Greens on interview Reacting to Potaka's interview, the Greens' housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul said the Government needed to "admit" that its policy was increasing homelessness. "This Government has cut back on public housing, slashed emergency housing access, and is refusing to take any accountability or responsibility for the impact this is having on the rising rates of people being forced to live on the streets, in tents and in cars." The coalition rolled out changes for emergency housing eligibility in early to mid-last year, including a tougher approach to allowing people into homes in the first place. People seeking support would face greater scrutiny, more requirements for information, and to prove they hadn't themselves "contributed" to their needs for emergency housing. ADVERTISEMENT At the time, officials warned the Government that the changes risked putting more people into situations of rough sleeping. Q+A's Whena Owen takes a look at changes to emergency housing and public housing policy. (Source: 1News) "Making these changes ahead of significant increases to the supply of affordable housing and more preventative wraparound supports does create a risk of increased levels of rough sleeping, people living in cars and overcrowding," they told ministers at the time. Target met but concerns remain Potaka defended the policy changes, saying the Government had also met its target to reduce emergency housing numbers by 75%. The policy intended to move people from emergency housing facilities, such as motels, to more stable housing. "We set up a target. That target was to reduce the number of whānau and households living in emergency housing. We've reached the target, but we've also recognised there are still some challenges and some issues," he said. The associate minister said tracking of people leaving emergency housing had improved, with the Government now knowing where "85-86%" of people went. ADVERTISEMENT "When we came into administration, the teams knew where around 50% of people were going. Now we know that there is about 85-86% of where people are going. In my view, that's actually good progress," he said. Govt not actively considering changes to tougher rules In a subsequent statement, the associate minister clarified to Q+A that this did not mean changes were coming to the Government's policy on emergency housing. "Emergency housing remains available for those in genuine need, and the causes of homelessness are not just about housing," a spokesperson for Potaka said. "A long-term response to the complexities requires consideration across multiple portfolios, for example helping people to face physical or mental health and addictions challenges, they might need help learning financial skills like budgeting, or help connecting and working with support services. "In the housing portfolio, $500 million in funding goes into programmes to help people, for example through the Housing First programme. "To help increase the amount of affordable housing, Budget 2024 allocated $140 million for 1500 new social housing places to be operated by community housing providers. ADVERTISEMENT "The Government has also accelerated $200 million into Māori housing projects across the country that will enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas." In his Q+A interview, Potaka was also questioned about his conservation portfolio and how changes to smoking laws would affect Māori. For the full interview, watch the video above Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Government report shows homelessness ‘appears' to be outstripping population growth
The report comes around halfway through this Government's term, which has included tightening emergency housing rules, and social and transitional housing initiatives. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said although accurate numbers on homelessness were difficult to find, it was 'clear we have a real problem'. 'The Government takes this seriously. All New Zealanders deserve a warm, dry place to stay, and the Government is determined to make progress on this long-running challenge for New Zealand.' Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says it is clear New Zealand has a real problem with homelessness. Photo / Mark Mitchell Potaka said the Government was seeking advice from officials on further interventions to help rough sleepers, saying 'we are also open to new ideas that will make an enduring difference'. Officials defined homelessness as living situations where people have no way of accessing safe and secure housing. This could include having no shelter at all, living in temporary or uninhabitable accommodation, or staying in a house with others, such as couch surfing. The report estimates people living without shelter are more likely to be older, with more than a quarter aged over 65. Twelve per cent were under 15 years old. Concerns from groups, collated in the report, included people and families sleeping rough, in cars, garages or uninhabitable conditions, or couch surfing during winter. They told researchers there were increasing levels of hopelessness and complex needs because of methamphetamine use, anti-social behaviour and severe mental health concerns. Emergency housing The portion of applications for emergency housing that were declined increased from 4% in March 2024 to 32% in March 2025, the report found. This statistic comes after Potaka's emergency housing policy changes in August 2024, which included limiting discretion and tightening rules to ensure it was only accessed 'where absolutely necessary'. Reasons people were declined included that they could meet their needs another way (34.3%), their circumstances could have been 'reasonably foreseen' (22.5%), they were not eligible for a grant (16.7%) or their situation was not considered an emergency (14.7%). Labour leader Chris Hipkins says the Government has no plan for where people go when they are removed from emergency accommodation. Photo / Mark Mitchell Potaka said more than $550 million was being spent annually across a range of programmes run by multiple agencies, including Transitional Housing, Housing First, Rapid Rehousing and many other support services. The minister argued there was a 37% increase in people living in shelters between 2018 and 2023 when the previous Labour Government was in power and that the Government was also dealing with the large-scale emergency housing 'social disaster' it had inherited from Labour. In January, the Government celebrated reaching its target for reducing the number of people in emergency motels by 75% five years early. But it raised questions over where people went when they left emergency housing. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka (left) and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon say the Government has spent half a billion dollars helping people in homeless situations. Photo / Mark Mitchell Labour leader Chris Hipkins accused the Government of kicking 'everybody out of emergency accommodation' without having a plan for where they were to go. 'I think every New Zealander living in a main city can walk down the street and see there are more people living on the street, in cars, and that the Government's actions have contributed to that,' he said. 'When you boot everybody out of emergency accommodation ... this is what happens.' The report said for around 14% of people who left emergency housing, officials were not sure where they went. Others went into a mix of social and transitional housing, or received housing support supplements. 'We do know where 85% [of people] have gone and we're really happy that a lot of kids have come out of emergency housing. Those 14% we don't know where they've gone, but they don't have to tell us where they are going,' Potaka said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters his Government had spent half a billion dollars helping people in these situations. 'Homelessness is a really complex issue. People often come with a complex set of needs, whether its mental health or addiction. No Kiwi wants to see homelessness.' Luxon said he was proud of 'the fact that we have taken 6000 people off the social state housing list'. 'I'm also really proud that we've got 2100 kids out of motels and into really good homes by prioritising those families.' Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Affordable Homes To Address Te Kūiti Housing Shortage
Associate Minister of Housing Mā te hononga ka whai kaha. Te Kūiti whānau will enjoy greater access to modern affordable rental housing thanks to an Iwi-led partnership backed by the Government, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government has approved in principle $17million into a partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto that will build 40 affordable rental homes with infrastructure in Te Kūiti, giving effect to the Crown's Treaty of Waitangi settlement commitment with the iwi. The Iwi will also contribute a significant portion to the development including $11million - representing 50 percent of the housing supply costs - and the land. 'This is an area of high housing need. With over a third of Te Kūiti residents renting, the limited availability of rental properties makes it difficult for whānau to secure stable housing,' Mr Potaka says. 'We're taking action to help address this shortage, which will also help local businesses because employers can struggle to attract and retain staff due to the lack of affordable housing. This mahi can mean a world of difference for whānau in small rural communities that need stable employment and incomes. 'The development, named Te Kirikiri, will feature affordable rentals of a mixed typology to meet the diverse needs of kaumātua and young whānau, consisting of 20 two-bedroom accessible homes for kaumātua, 13 three-bedroom homes and7 four-bedroom homes. 'Work is scheduled to begin next month and will take about two years to complete. 'Te Kirikiri will incorporate tikanga Māori and kaupapa-led design principles, and include the use of wetlands, native grasses, trees, and shrubs to create safe, communal spaces for whānau to enjoy. 'These affordable rentals will support Ngāti Maniapoto's ambition to place 200 whānau in safe, secure, high-quality and affordable homes by 2030.' The Government investment is part of a $200 million commitment announced earlier this year that will accelerate Māori housing projects across the country and enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
MP Tama Potaka & MP Ryan Hamilton: Waikato To Become Home Of New Medical School
Hamilton will become home to New Zealand's third medical school, with Cabinet approving the business case for the new school and the establishment of a graduate-entry medical programme at the University of Waikato, MP for Hamilton West Tama Potaka and MP for Hamilton East Ryan Hamilton say. 'This is a proud day for Hamilton. Establishing a medical school here recognises our city's growing role as a centre for education, research, and healthcare delivery across the wider Waikato and beyond,' says Mr Potaka. 'This has been years in the making. I want to acknowledge the long-standing work of former Hamilton MPs Hon. David Bennett and Hon. Tim Macindoe, and MP for Taupō, Louise Upston, who have strongly championed the case for a Waikato-based medical school. It's fantastic to see that advocacy now delivering real results for our city. 'This investment will give more students from places like Hillcrest, Silverdale, and Claudelands the chance to pursue medicine close to home – while reinforcing Hamilton East as a hub for future-focused learning and health leadership,' Says Mr Hamilton. 'The school will have a strong focus on primary care and rural health, supporting the Government's priority of improving access to timely, quality healthcare across the country. 'It will deliver a more flexible pathway into medicine with a graduate-entry programme, attracting a broader range of students and building a stronger, more diverse workforce.' The Government has committed $82.85 million to the project, alongside more than $150 million in funding from the University of Waikato and philanthropic partners. Construction and planning for new teaching facilities and clinical placements will begin shortly, with the programme expected to provide 120 new doctor training places per year from 2028. The announcement builds on the Government's wider investment in the health workforce, including 100 additional medical school places being added across the University of Auckland and the University of Otago over the term of this Government, and recent expansion of nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes. 'This is a major milestone for the region and a step forward in strengthening New Zealand's health system,' says Mr Potaka. 'It reflects this Government's commitment to investing in regional growth, delivering better health outcomes, and ensuring more people have the opportunity to study and train closer to home.'
