Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

New Zealand’s housing crisis cannot be solved simply by building more homes, according to Professor Anthony Hōete, who says affordability, quality and long-term security must all be addressed together if the country is to improve housing outcomes for future generations.

Joining from London, the Professor of Architecture and Planning says Aotearoa has spent decades grappling with rising house prices, declining affordability and persistent housing stress, yet many of the underlying structural issues remain unresolved.

His research focuses on housing affordability, housing quality and innovative rental models, with a particular emphasis on improving housing outcomes for Māori communities.

Professor Hōete says one of the greatest barriers to delivering affordable housing at scale is the complex combination of land costs, planning constraints, infrastructure investment, financing challenges and construction costs.

While increasing housing supply remains important, he argues it must be accompanied by policies that ensure homes remain genuinely affordable and accessible to those who need them most.

He warns that simply increasing the number of houses does not automatically improve housing outcomes if those homes are unaffordable, poorly designed or fail to meet the long-term needs of families.

Housing quality, he says, deserves equal attention.

Poorly insulated, overcrowded or unhealthy homes contribute to respiratory illness, poorer educational outcomes and wider social inequities, particularly among children and vulnerable communities.

Research has consistently shown that warm, dry and secure housing improves health, educational achievement and workforce participation while reducing pressure on the health system.

For Māori, the challenges are particularly significant.

Māori continue to experience lower rates of home ownership, higher levels of rental stress and disproportionate representation in emergency and social housing statistics.

Professor Hōete believes improving Māori housing outcomes will require greater investment in papakāinga developments, Māori-led housing initiatives, access to affordable finance and planning systems that better support housing on Māori-owned land.

He says kaupapa Māori housing solutions have demonstrated the ability to strengthen not only housing outcomes but also cultural identity, whānau wellbeing and community resilience.

The discussion also extends beyond home ownership.

Professor Hōete argues New Zealand should continue exploring innovative rental models that provide greater long-term security, recognising that many households will rent for much longer than previous generations.

He says stable rental arrangements, stronger tenant protections and professionally managed long-term rental housing can provide families with certainty while supporting more balanced housing markets.

Looking ahead, Professor Hōete believes any successful long-term housing strategy must be built around several key principles: increasing the supply of affordable homes, improving housing quality, investing in resilient infrastructure, supporting sustainable urban development and ensuring Māori are genuine partners in shaping future housing policy.

He also advocates for greater collaboration between central government, local government, iwi, community housing providers and the private sector to deliver housing solutions that meet the needs of diverse communities.

As housing continues to dominate political debate ahead of the General Election, Professor Hōete says the conversation must move beyond the number of houses being built and focus instead on creating homes that are affordable, healthy, secure and capable of supporting thriving communities for generations to come.

For many whānau, he says, housing is more than shelter—it is the foundation for health, education, economic opportunity and a stronger future for Aotearoa.

#Housing #AnthonyHōete #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #Papakāinga #MāoriHousing #HealthyHomes #Architecture #UrbanPlanning #Whānau #Aotearoa #HousingQuality #CommunityHousing #WaateaNews #FutureHousing

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As political parties sharpen their election promises on jobs and skills, broadcaster and commentator Matthew Tukaki says New Zealand has a unique opportunity to rebuild its skilled workforce by placing apprenticeships and trade training at the centre of the country’s economic strategy.

Speaking on Radio Waatea, Tukaki said vocational education should no longer be viewed as a second-choice pathway, but as one of the country’s most important investments in productivity, economic resilience and whānau wellbeing.

His comments come as Labour has pledged to expand the Apprenticeship Boost programme, promising greater support for employers, funded mentoring and practical assistance for apprentices as part of its workforce strategy.

Tukaki said New Zealand has spent too long promoting university education as the default pathway while failing to properly value trades that literally build the nation.

From carpenters and electricians to plumbers, mechanics, engineers and infrastructure workers, he argued the country cannot deliver the homes, hospitals, schools and transport projects it needs without a pipeline of skilled apprentices.

He also believes apprenticeships are one of the most effective ways to address youth unemployment by giving school leavers a direct route into well-paid careers without accumulating significant student debt.

For Māori communities, the opportunity is even greater.

Tukaki has consistently advocated for stronger Māori participation in vocational education, saying trade qualifications provide long-term employment, higher incomes and opportunities for whānau to establish businesses and create intergenerational wealth. He has previously highlighted public support for reviving dedicated Māori trade training pathways similar to the former Māori Affairs Trade Trainee Programme, modernised to meet today’s workforce needs.

He says the challenge is not simply getting more young people into training, but ensuring they complete their apprenticeships through strong mentoring, pastoral care and sustained support from employers and training providers.

Construction, manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure continue to face skills shortages despite softer economic conditions, while Māori remain significantly represented in the construction workforce. Tukaki says apprenticeships should be viewed as part of a broader economic development strategy rather than simply an education policy.

He also argues that greater collaboration between government, iwi, industry and unions is needed to create clearer pathways from school into employment, particularly in regional communities where skilled workers are in high demand.

As the election campaign gathers pace, Tukaki says whichever party forms the next government must commit to long-term investment in apprenticeships that survives beyond a single parliamentary term.

He believes the return on investment extends well beyond employment statistics.

Every apprentice who completes their training strengthens the country’s productive capacity, helps meet infrastructure demand and creates opportunities for future generations to thrive.

For Tukaki, rebuilding New Zealand’s trades workforce is about more than filling vacancies.

It is about restoring pride in vocational careers, creating genuine opportunities for rangatahi and ensuring Aotearoa has the skilled people needed to build its future.

#Apprenticeships #TradeTraining #MatthewTukaki #ApprenticeshipBoost #MāoriEmployment #Rangatahi #Construction #Trades #VocationalEducation #Skills #EconomicGrowth #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #Workforce #Election2026

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As winter grips Aotearoa, youth homelessness advocate Aaron Hendry is warning that too many New Zealanders are being left to endure freezing nights in cars, tents, doorways and on the streets, describing homelessness as a growing humanitarian crisis that demands urgent action.

Hendry, the founder of Kick Back, has spent years working alongside rangatahi, whānau and individuals experiencing homelessness, helping connect people with housing, support services and emergency assistance while advocating for long-term systemic change.

He says winter exposes the harsh reality faced by those without a safe place to sleep.

Cold temperatures significantly increase the risks of hypothermia, respiratory illness, dehydration and mental distress, while rough sleepers are also more vulnerable to violence, exploitation and deteriorating physical health.

For many, simply making it through the night becomes the priority.

Community organisations say the face of homelessness has changed in recent years. While rough sleeping remains the most visible form, increasing numbers of people are living in overcrowded homes, temporary accommodation, garages, cars and other insecure housing.

Young people, working families and older New Zealanders are increasingly represented among those seeking housing assistance.

Hendry has consistently argued that homelessness is not simply about the absence of housing but the result of multiple systems failing simultaneously.

Housing shortages, rising rents, insecure employment, mental health challenges, addiction, family violence and complex welfare processes all contribute to people losing stable accommodation.

He believes many political leaders remain disconnected from the daily realities experienced by people sleeping rough.

Advocates say homelessness is too often viewed through the lens of individual responsibility, rather than recognising the structural issues that place people at risk of losing their homes.

They argue that most people experiencing homelessness have faced significant hardship long before they end up sleeping outside.

With winter conditions worsening, Hendry says practical action is needed immediately.

That includes expanding emergency accommodation, increasing outreach services, ensuring sufficient funding for frontline organisations, providing easier access to welfare assistance and working with local councils to identify safe, temporary shelter options during severe weather.

Community groups also continue to call for stronger coordination between housing providers, health services, social agencies and local government to ensure vulnerable people do not fall through gaps in the system.

Longer term, advocates say preventing homelessness requires sustained investment in affordable housing, earlier intervention for families in crisis, improved mental health and addiction services, better support for young people leaving state care, and welfare settings that reflect the real cost of living.

The issue carries particular significance for Māori, who remain disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness. Māori organisations have consistently advocated for whānau-centred, kaupapa Māori approaches that address not only housing but also the broader social and cultural factors contributing to homelessness.

As temperatures continue to fall, Hendry says no one should be forced to choose between sleeping in dangerous conditions or having nowhere to go.

For those working on the frontline, the solution is not simply more emergency beds, but a housing system that provides every person with the opportunity to live safely, with dignity and hope for the future.

#Homelessness #AaronHendry #KickBack #HousingCrisis #Whānau #Rangatahi #Winter #EmergencyHousing #Māori #HousingJustice #CostOfLiving #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #SocialJustice #EndHomelessness

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He whakaari hou ka rewa i te pae. Ko MĀREIKURA te ingoa o te whakaari hou a Ngā Tīwhas mō Matariki. Ko “Me aro koe ki te hā o Hineahuone” te kaupapa o te whakaari, hei whakanui i te mana me te rerehua o ngā wāhine.

Ka tū ngā whakaaturanga ki Te Whanganui a Tara mai i te 3 ki te 11 o Hūrae.

E whai ake nei ko ngā whakamārama a tētahi o ngā kaikōkiri o Ngā Tīwhas, a Te Hāmama Hōhua, e kōrero ana mō te pūtake o tēnei whakaari.

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I tukuna e te Kāwanatanga he pūtea $8.6 miriona hei tautoko i ngā mahi hanga i te marae o Ngāmotu ki te pokapū o Ngāmotu (New Plymouth). Koinei te marae tuatahi mō Ngāti Te Whiti i tō rātou ake rohe i ngā tau 150 neke atu.

He kaupapa e ārahi ana e Ngāti Te Whiti Whenua Tōpu Trust, ā, ka noho te marae hei wāhi huihui mō te hapori, hei tūrangawaewae anō hoki mō Ngāti Te Whiti.

E ai ki te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, ki a Tama Potaka, mā tēnei marae e whakapakari anō i te tuakiri me te ahurea o Ngāti Te Whiti, ā, e whakakotahi hoki i ngā hapori o te takiwā.

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A landmark legal battle over climate accountability is unfolding in the High Court today, with prominent Māori environmental advocate Mike Smith challenging Government legislation that could prevent climate change lawsuits against some of New Zealand’s largest greenhouse gas emitters.

The case centres on proposed law changes that would block tort-based climate claims, a legal avenue that allows individuals and communities to seek accountability from companies whose activities are alleged to have contributed to climate harm.

Smith argues the Government’s move directly interferes with legal proceedings that are already before the courts, raising significant constitutional questions about the separation of powers between Parliament and the judiciary.

The challenge follows Smith’s major legal victory in the Supreme Court, which reinstated his climate case against several of New Zealand’s largest corporate emitters. That ruling was widely regarded as a breakthrough for climate litigation, allowing the case to proceed to trial and opening the possibility that common law could play a role in addressing climate change alongside existing environmental legislation.

Smith maintains that the Government’s proposed legislation effectively changes the rules while his case is already underway, undermining the ability of the courts to determine the issues on their merits. He argues that allowing Parliament to intervene in active litigation threatens fundamental constitutional principles and weakens judicial independence.

Another major issue raised in the High Court challenge concerns the influence of corporate lobbying. Smith has questioned the extent to which major emitters and industry groups may have shaped the proposed legislation, arguing that greater transparency is needed around the policy development process. He says public confidence depends on New Zealanders knowing who has influenced decisions that could significantly alter access to justice on climate issues.

The Government has defended the legislation as providing greater legal certainty and preventing the courts from expanding climate liability beyond what Parliament intended. Ministers argue that climate policy should remain the responsibility of elected governments rather than being developed through civil litigation.

Smith rejects that position, warning that removing the ability to pursue tort-based climate claims would significantly reduce accountability for major emitters. He argues that without the possibility of legal action, communities most affected by climate change—including many Māori communities facing coastal erosion, flooding and environmental degradation—would lose an important pathway for seeking justice.

The outcome of the High Court proceedings is expected to have implications well beyond Aotearoa. Climate litigation has become an increasingly important legal strategy around the world, with courts in several countries hearing cases seeking greater accountability from governments and major corporations over greenhouse gas emissions.

Legal experts are closely watching the New Zealand case because it could influence how other jurisdictions balance climate responsibility, corporate liability and parliamentary lawmaking.

For Māori communities, the proceedings also carry wider significance. The case reflects ongoing efforts to protect whenua, wai and future generations through both tikanga Māori and the legal system, reinforcing longstanding principles of kaitiakitanga in the face of accelerating climate change.

As the High Court considers the constitutional challenge, its decision could shape not only the future of Smith’s case but also the broader direction of climate justice in New Zealand and internationally.

#ClimateJustice #MikeSmith #HighCourt #ClimateChange #Māori #Kaitiakitanga #Environment #ClimateLaw #Aotearoa #CorporateAccountability #WaateaNews #TeAoMāori #EnvironmentalJustice #NewsNZ #PoliticsNZ

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Schools across Te Tai Tokerau are struggling to meet the growing needs of deeply traumatised students, with principals warning that teachers are increasingly being forced into roles far beyond education as specialist support services fail to keep pace with demand.

Tai Tokerau Principals Association President Pat Newman says classrooms are becoming places where educators spend as much time managing complex social, behavioural and mental health challenges as they do teaching.

Teachers are increasingly acting as counsellors, social workers and crisis managers, helping students cope with trauma, family instability and emotional distress while also trying to deliver the curriculum. School leaders say this shift is placing enormous pressure on staff, reducing valuable teaching time and affecting learning outcomes for every student in the classroom.

The association argues that funding for students with the highest needs no longer reflects the realities schools are facing. Principals say the number of children requiring intensive behavioural and specialist support has grown significantly, but access to psychologists, learning support specialists, counsellors and other frontline services has not kept pace.

Many schools report waiting months for specialist assessments and intervention, leaving classroom teachers to manage increasingly complex situations with limited training and few additional resources.

Concerns are also mounting over an increase in extreme and disruptive behaviour in schools. Principals say current rules governing restraint and intervention have made it more difficult for staff to respond safely when students become physically aggressive or pose a risk to themselves or others.

While acknowledging the importance of protecting children’s rights, school leaders say current regulations often leave teachers uncertain about what actions they can legally take during dangerous incidents, creating additional safety concerns for staff and students alike.

The association is also critical of what it describes as excessive bureaucracy within the education system. Principals say too much time is spent navigating funding applications, assessment processes and administrative requirements instead of delivering practical support directly to students.

School leaders are calling on the Government to simplify access to specialist services, increase funding for high-needs learners, expand the availability of educational psychologists and behavioural specialists, and provide schools with clearer guidance and stronger support when responding to serious behavioural incidents.

They argue that early intervention is essential, warning that without greater investment in specialist support, schools will continue carrying responsibilities that extend well beyond education, placing further strain on teachers already working under significant pressure.

The concerns come as schools across New Zealand continue to report rising levels of student anxiety, trauma and behavioural challenges following years of increasing social and economic pressures on whānau and communities.

The Tai Tokerau Principals Association says meaningful change will require a coordinated approach that recognises schools cannot solve complex social issues alone and that students, whānau and educators all need stronger support if children are to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.

#Education #TaiTokerau #Schools #Teachers #LearningSupport #MentalHealth #StudentWellbeing #SpecialEducation #MāoriEducation #Aotearoa #EducationNZ #SchoolLeadership #Children #Whānau #WaateaNews

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Community leader and advocate Dave Letele has joined this year’s Big Sleep Out, braving one of the coldest nights of winter to help raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness.

The annual event asks well-known New Zealanders, business leaders and community voices to spend a night sleeping rough, offering a small glimpse into the daily reality faced by whānau without safe, secure housing.

This year’s Big Sleep Out is supporting Lifewise and Merge Café, which provides kai, connection and practical support for Auckland whānau experiencing homelessness. Organisers say the need is urgent, with donations helping provide hot meals, nights off the street and pathways into longer-term support.

For Letele, the issue is deeply personal. Through his work in South Auckland and with vulnerable families, he has seen how quickly poverty, housing stress, trauma, addiction, family violence and job loss can push people to the edge.

Events like the Big Sleep Out are designed to do more than raise money. They challenge public attitudes and remind people that homelessness is not a lifestyle choice, but often the result of systems failing individuals and whānau when they most need help.

Letele says the cold makes the message even sharper. While participants return home after one night, many people facing homelessness have no warm bed, no safe room, no privacy and no certainty about where they will sleep next.

The need for support continues to grow during winter, with frontline organisations reporting pressure from families struggling with rent, food, power bills and access to emergency accommodation. For those already sleeping rough, cold weather can make existing health, mental health and safety risks even worse.

Advocates say the response must go beyond seasonal charity. They are calling for year-round action, including more emergency housing, permanent housing pathways, mental health and addiction services, food support, employment opportunities and community-led outreach.

Letele’s participation adds another strong voice to calls for decision-makers to treat homelessness as a national priority requiring compassion, investment and practical solutions.

For many working on the frontline, the message is simple: no one should have to sleep outside in a country with the resources Aotearoa has.

The Big Sleep Out may last one night, but the challenge it highlights remains every day of the year.

#DaveLetele #BigSleepOut #Homelessness #HousingCrisis #Lifewise #MergeCafe #SouthAuckland #WhānauSupport #Poverty #Aotearoa #CommunityLeadership #Māori #Pasifika #SocialJustice #WaateaNews

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Labour’s candidate for the Tāmaki electorate, Kerrin Leoni, is ramping up her campaign with a strong focus on community engagement, Māori participation and ensuring voters are ready ahead of a shortened electoral enrolment period.

With enrolments for the 2026 General Election closing earlier than many previous elections, candidates and community organisations are increasing efforts to ensure eligible New Zealanders understand the tighter timeframe and complete their enrolment before the August deadline.

For Leoni, encouraging strong voter participation is expected to be a major pillar of her campaign, particularly among Māori, who have traditionally faced lower enrolment and turnout rates than the general population.

The former local government leader has consistently emphasised the importance of meeting communities where they are, with grassroots engagement expected to play a central role in Labour’s campaign across Tāmaki. Community events, marae visits, neighbourhood meetings, schools, sports clubs and digital platforms are all likely to form part of efforts to increase awareness of enrolment deadlines and encourage participation in the democratic process.

The shortened enrolment period has prompted concerns that some eligible voters—particularly younger people, first-time voters and those who move frequently—could miss out if they are unaware of the earlier deadline.

Increasing Māori enrolment is expected to remain a priority, with campaign efforts focusing on ensuring whānau understand both the enrolment process and the importance of having their voices represented at the ballot box. Community organisations have long argued that stronger Māori participation leads to better representation and more responsive public policy.

Leoni enters the campaign following Labour’s recent national congress, where the party reaffirmed its focus on rebuilding voter confidence ahead of the General Election. The gathering brought together candidates, members and supporters from across the country to sharpen campaign messaging around the cost of living, housing, health, education and economic opportunity.

The congress also highlighted Labour’s emphasis on reconnecting with communities through local leadership and grassroots campaigning, an approach that aligns closely with Leoni’s record in local government and community advocacy.

Looking ahead, Leoni has signalled that the future of Tāmaki will require investment in affordable housing, improved transport, stronger public services, economic opportunity and better outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities.

She is also expected to campaign on strengthening access to healthcare, supporting local businesses, improving educational opportunities and ensuring families have access to the services they need as the electorate continues to grow.

As campaigning intensifies across Auckland, voter participation is expected to become a defining issue. With the enrolment deadline approaching earlier than usual, candidates across the political spectrum are encouraging voters to check their details, enrol if necessary and ensure they are ready to cast their vote when New Zealand heads to the polls.

For Leoni, the campaign is shaping as an opportunity to combine community leadership with a strong emphasis on participation, ensuring every eligible voter in Tāmaki has the opportunity to have their voice heard.

#Election2026 #KerrinLeoni #Labour #Tāmaki #MāoriVote #EnrolToVote #Democracy #GeneralElection #CommunityLeadership #Māori #Auckland #PoliticsNZ #WaateaNews #YourVoteMatters #Aotearoa

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Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones is under the spotlight following a week of debate over regional job losses, youth unemployment, resource development and New Zealand’s leadership in Pacific fisheries.

The issues have placed the New Zealand First MP at the centre of the Government’s economic development agenda, with questions being asked about how ministers intend to create sustainable employment while balancing environmental protection and Māori interests.

One of the week’s most contentious issues has been the closure of the JNL Kaitāia timber mill, which has left dozens of workers without jobs. Jones has said the mill owners never sought Government assistance before deciding to close the operation, suggesting there was little opportunity for ministers to intervene.

The comments have sparked wider discussion about the Government’s role when major employers shut their doors, particularly in regional communities where alternative employment opportunities can be limited.

The closure comes as youth unemployment remains elevated across New Zealand, with many regional areas facing additional challenges due to fewer large employers, lower economic diversity and limited pathways into skilled work.

The question now being raised is whether Government should play a more active role in cushioning regional economic shocks before communities experience widespread job losses, particularly for young people entering the workforce for the first time.

Supporters of stronger intervention argue earlier engagement with struggling industries, targeted retraining programmes and regional investment could help reduce the long-term impact on local economies. Others maintain Government cannot prevent every commercial decision and that businesses must remain responsible for their own operations.

Jones has also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to unlocking economic opportunities through the responsible development of New Zealand’s natural resources. He says public conservation land remains available for carefully managed projects where appropriate approvals are granted.

The position continues to attract criticism from environmental organisations and some iwi, who argue that economic development should not come at the expense of biodiversity, cultural values or long-term environmental protection. Supporters of the Government’s approach say responsible resource development can generate investment, regional employment and export earnings while operating within environmental safeguards.

Another major focus for Jones has been New Zealand’s leadership role at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Wellington.

The meeting brought together ministers from across the Pacific to discuss sustainable fisheries management, economic cooperation and the long-term protection of one of the world’s most valuable tuna fisheries.

Jones says fisheries remain a cornerstone of Pacific economies, supporting employment, food security and economic resilience throughout the region. For New Zealand, the challenge is ensuring that stronger regional cooperation also delivers practical benefits at home through increased training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, particularly for young people in coastal communities and Māori who have longstanding cultural and commercial connections to the fishing industry.

Industry leaders have highlighted growing opportunities in seafood processing, marine science, aquaculture, fisheries management and environmental monitoring as sectors that could provide long-term careers while supporting sustainable use of marine resources.

As regional economies continue to navigate changing global markets, technological transformation and workforce shortages, the Government faces increasing pressure to demonstrate that its development strategy delivers both economic growth and lasting opportunities for communities across Aotearoa.

For Jones, the challenge will be convincing New Zealanders that investment in resources, regional infrastructure and Pacific partnerships can generate jobs while maintaining public confidence in environmental stewardship and responsible economic development.

#ShaneJones #RegionalDevelopment #YouthUnemployment #Kaitāia #Northland #Jobs #EconomicGrowth #Pacific #Fisheries #Resources #MāoriEconomy #RegionalNZ #Aotearoa #WaateaNews #PoliticsNZ

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