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March 25, 2026
#national: Housing System Continues to Fail Māori and Pacific Whānau, Expert Warns
Dale Husband
Posted On March 25, 2026
A leading Māori architectural historian says Aotearoa’s housing system is not just underperforming – it is structurally failing Māori and Pacific communities, with the consequences now visible in overcrowding, housing insecurity, and generational inequity.
Professor Deidre Brown, whose work examines the intersection of architecture, planning, and Māori wellbeing, points to a long-standing pattern of policy settings and market dynamics that have consistently disadvantaged whānau Māori and Pacific families.
At the core of the issue is a housing system that has prioritised market outcomes over social and cultural needs. Despite decades of inquiries, strategies, and political commitments, the gap has persisted – and in many cases widened – as housing affordability has declined and access to secure tenure has become more difficult.
Brown’s analysis highlights how planning decisions and land costs have played a central role. Urban development models have often failed to account for Māori and Pacific realities, including larger whānau structures and the importance of intergenerational living. Zoning restrictions, limited access to affordable land, and escalating property values have combined to push many families into overcrowded homes or unstable rental arrangements.
The design of the housing market itself has compounded the problem. A heavy reliance on private ownership and investment has meant that those without existing assets – disproportionately Māori and Pacific – face significant barriers to entry. At the same time, the supply of state and affordable housing has not kept pace with need, leaving many whānau with few viable options.
For those on the ground, the impact is immediate and visible. Overcrowding places pressure on health, education, and overall wellbeing. Insecure housing arrangements disrupt whānau stability and limit the ability to plan for the future. These are not isolated issues, but part of a broader system that continues to produce unequal outcomes.
Brown argues that meaningful change requires a shift in both policy and investment. That includes increasing the supply of genuinely affordable housing, particularly through public and community-led developments, and enabling models that reflect Māori and Pacific ways of living. Papakāinga housing, shared ownership schemes, and iwi-led developments are among the approaches that could deliver more culturally appropriate and sustainable outcomes.
There is also a need to rethink planning frameworks to allow for more flexible, whānau-centred housing solutions. This includes removing barriers to building on ancestral land and ensuring infrastructure investment supports these developments. In parallel, targeted funding and financing mechanisms are needed to support Māori and Pacific providers to lead housing initiatives at scale.
Looking ahead, the risks of inaction are significant. Without intervention, housing inequities are likely to deepen, entrenching disadvantage across generations and placing further strain on health and social systems. The broader impact is a loss of potential – for individuals, for whānau, and for communities.
A future-focused housing system, Brown suggests, would place equity and cultural integrity at its centre. It would recognise housing not simply as a commodity, but as a foundation for wellbeing, identity, and connection. That means designing homes and communities that reflect the needs of Māori and Pacific peoples, supporting pathways into secure housing, and ensuring decision-making includes those most affected.
As the housing crisis continues to shape the national conversation, the message from those working in this space is clear: without structural change, the system will continue to fail the very communities it should be serving.
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