On the 21st of October we had the pleasure of being invited to the 2025 National Maori Housing Conference at Waitangi.
Trustee Elinor Niha and Housing manager/Trustee Kevin Anderson were part of an interactive panel discussion on Accessible Housing.
The main speaker at this session was Ronelle Baker (Chief Advisor Māori at the Ministry of Disabled People, Whaikaha).
The session was overseen by Tamati Shepherd-Wipiiti (Chief Executive Officer of Ngāti Hine Health Trust).
The key messages of the session were:
- Importance: Accessible housing is essential for health, independence, and participation of whānau hauā and tāngata whaikaha Māori.
- Universal Design for whānau: Design that anticipates diverse abilities and stages of life, reducing or eliminating the need for retrofits.
- Whānau-centred approach: Involve whānau from the outset; cultural values and needs must shape design and delivery.
- Collaboration: Co-produce solutions across government, disability sector, housing providers and iwi/hapū.
- Policy and investment: Need for funding streams, regulatory alignment, and incentives to mainstream accessible housing.
- Liveability outcomes: Safe, adaptable homes support tamariki, kaumātua, and tāngata whaikaha to thrive within whānau and communities.
