Youth homelessness is getting worse this winter, and many rangatahi and tamariki are being left without safe housing.
Homelessness Among Youth
- Around 11,000 young people are estimated to be homeless in Auckland alone, with rangatahi (youth) making up a large share nationwide. One study suggests nearly 40% of the country’s homeless are under the age of 25
- Māori Disproportionately Affected
Māori youth face homelessness at a rate far higher than the general population. They are over-represented both in rough sleeping and insecure or overcrowded housing situations
Root Causes
- Intergenerational Trauma & Colonisation
Historic land loss and cultural disruption undermine family stability. Māori youth are more likely to experience intergenerational poverty, disconnection from cultural identity, and systemic barriers in education and health - Mental Health & Addiction
Rangatahi Māori show disproportionately high rates of depression, self-harm, and substance misuse, often compounded by lack of access to culturally responsive services - Falling Through Systemic Gaps
Youth exiting Oranga Tamariki care, teen parents, or those impacted by crisis may not receive adequate support, leading many into homelessness
Kaupapa Māori Initiatives: Whānau-Led Solutions
- He Pā Piringa (Mā Te Huruhuru Charitable Trust)
- South Auckland’s pioneering kaupapa Māori transitional housing, offering up to 52 weeks of support for young people aged 17–21.
- Focuses on cultural reconnection through waiata, whakapapa, pūrākau, and tikanga learning
- As of April 2024, 18 beds are in operation-with demand far outstripping supply .
Manaaki Rangatahi Collective
- Reports a 53% increase in rough sleeping youth in South Auckland (from 426 to 653 between Sept 2024 and Jan 2025)
- Hosts community hui to design a Youth Emergency Housing Crisis Plan based on rangatahi-led insights
- Advocates for embedding papakāinga and wānanga methods into housing solutions
Policy & Funding Developments
- The MAIHI Action Plan embeds kaupapa Māori principles (“tino rangatiratanga, whanaungatanga”) across national homelessness strategy
- $24.7 million was allocated for He Ara Hiki Mauri, a Māori-led housing initiative spanning emergency to long-term support
- However, recent budget cuts (2024/25) removed a $20 million youth transitional housing fund, jeopardising rangatahi services.
- Under the new National-led coalition, roles specifically addressing Māori and youth housing (e.g., associate ministers for Māori housing and youth homelessness) have been disestablished-raising concerns of diminishing focus.
What This Means
- Escalating crisis: With youth rough sleeping rising sharply, rangatahi Māori continue to bear disproportionate impact.
- Success in kaupapa Māori: Community-led initiatives provide meaningful, culturally grounded support-yet remain small-scale and underfunded.
- System fragility: Loss of tied funding and ministerial roles threatens sustainable, long-term solutions.
