24 Aug 2023

New Zealand's housing crisis persists after four decades

From , 6:00 am on 24 August 2023
An empty state house with over grown lawns in Glen Innes that has been empty for 3 months

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Over a hundred thousand people in New Zealand are experiencing homelessness.

This is according to New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt who says a housing crisis has persisted in the country for four decades.

Hunt says every increasing property costs are an economic burden, affecting the living standards and mental wellbeing of  families. 

A report released this year shows that Pasifika are the hardest hit, with 40 percent living in overcrowded homes.

RNZ Pacific's Finau Fonua spoke with Paul Hunt