Notes on Housing for the Māori Population

Overview of Māori Housing

  • Housing tenure and security are crucial aspects in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
  • The report analyzes housing conditions across different tenures: owner-occupied vs rental.
  • Tenure Data Sources: Census data is utilized for demographic analysis regarding housing tenure.

Historical Context of Māori Home Ownership

  • Māori home ownership peaked in the 1930s (70.5%), significantly higher than the national average.
  • Trend Over Time: The rate of home ownership for Māori has declined, especially as urban migration increased.
  • By the 1990s, Māori home ownership rates fell below that of the European population (
    73.8% at national peak in the early 1990s).

Age and Home Ownership

  • Older populations are more likely to be homeowners compared to younger individuals.
  • Demographic Influence: The Māori population is younger compared to Europeans, with half under 25.
  • Lower home ownership rates are partially due to this younger demographic.
  • Census Data Insight: Discrepancies persist across all age demographics, with significant home ownership gaps noted.

Home Ownership Disparities

  • Disparities are evident with varied proportions of Māori and Europeans living in owner-occupied homes:
    • Aged 20-24: 9 percentage points gap.
    • Aged 10-14: 24 percentage points gap, with only 43% of Māori children in owner-occupied homes compared to 66% of European children.

Impact of Renting and Tenure Security

  • Tenure Security Disparities: Research indicates higher mobility among renters, particularly Māori (8.7% moving 5+ times in 5 years).
  • Lease Ending Reasons: Māori often gave tenancy cessation as a reason for moving.
  • Homeownership correlates with better residential stability and wellness outcomes.

Housing Affordability and Quality

  • Perceived versus Actual Affordability: Māori report higher instances of housing being unaffordable (13%) compared to European counterparts (8.8%).
  • Quality of Housing: Māori are more likely to live in damp, mouldy conditions (40% for Māori vs 21% for Europeans).

Housing Suitability and Crowding

  • Housing suitability is assessed through access to amenities and adequate space.
  • Census Outcome: 84% of Māori rate their home as suitable, yet face issues with transportation availability.
  • Crowded Conditions: Māori continue to experience higher rates of crowding, with 1 in 5 Māori living in crowded conditions (compared to 1 in 9 total population).

Cultural Connection and Wellbeing

  • Kaitiakitanga: Engaging in environmental sustainability initiatives was shown to correlate positively with home ownership.
  • Ahurea Māori: Engagement in cultural practices remains higher among non-homeowners, with those in secured housing feeling more connected to their cultural identity.

Health and Social Wellbeing Correlations

  • Home ownership linked to better health outcomes among Māori adults, with 56% in owned homes reporting excellent health status compared to lower numbers in rented contexts.
  • Home conditions affect overall life satisfaction and sense of control over life events.
  • Whanaungatanga: Relationships influenced by stable housing conditions were shown to enhance family wellbeing.

Recommendations and Policy Implications

  • To improve outcomes, housing policy should integrate Māori cultural values and connectivity to ancestral lands.
  • Addressing affordable housing through community-focused development can bridge gaps between economic disadvantage and cultural enrichment.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of housing on Māori cultural practices and wellbeing.

Conclusion

  • It is evident that historic and ongoing disparities in home ownership for Māori have profound implications on intergenerational wealth, health, and cultural maintenance.
  • Strategic planning towards suitable and affordable Māori housing must incorporate sociocultural dynamics for holistic improvements in Māori wellbeing.