Kerrin Leonie on homelessness amongst rangatahi in Tamaki

Waatea Team Paakiwaha | Kerrin Leonie

Download Audio

Kerrin Leoni, Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate, is committed to tackling youth homelessness in Auckland by collaborating with community housing and poverty action groups, especially in light of reduced central government funding. Dale spoke with Mayoral aspirant Kerrin:

In the heart of Aotearoa’s largest city, a silent crisis is unfolding. Increasing numbers of rangatahi (young people) are experiencing homelessness in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) – not just rough sleeping on the streets, but couch-surfing, living in cars, or cycling through unstable emergency accommodation. Behind the statistics are young lives disrupted by family breakdown, poverty, racism, and systemic failure.

While homelessness is often associated with adults or older men, a growing body of research and frontline evidence shows that young Māori and Pacific rangatahi are overrepresented in this crisis – many of them emerging from state care, unsafe homes, or falling through the cracks of an overloaded social system. Unlike adult homelessness, rangatahi homelessness is often invisible. Most young people without a safe place to stay are not seen sleeping in parks or under bridges. Instead, they move between friends’ houses, overcrowded homes, or shelters. They avoid detection, fearing involvement with Oranga Tamariki or police, and are often reluctant to seek help.

A 2020 report by the Auckland City Mission and Lifewise found that Māori rangatahi were disproportionately affected, with many reporting trauma, violence, and disconnection from whānau and culture. The most common pathways into homelessness include:

• Aging out of the state care system without stable housing
• Escaping family violence or unsafe environments
• Discrimination in the private rental market
• Poverty and intergenerational housing instability

For some, being homeless starts as early as 14 or 15 years old. Many experience mental health issues, substance use, and barriers to education or employment as a result of prolonged instability.

RELATED NEWS

Paora Sharples: sacred meaning of traditional Māori facial tattoos Willie Jackson on why we need to focus on the Government Regulatory Standards Bill submission workshops underway