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.
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