September 29, 2016
Social benefits from strong papakainga
A Maori housing advocate says developing papakainga on traditionally-owned Maori land will have wide benefits for Maori society than just housing.
Reuben Taipari from Te Taitokerau Ahikaaroa Trust Project is one of the speakers at this week’s National Housing Hui in Tauranga.
He says papakainga connect people back to their own land and give them a sense of identity.
It’s something Maori living in cities should support for their whanau back on the hau kainga.
"If they are strong in their regional or suburban areas, that is awesome but I think it would be another strength to give to them to know that their whanaunga and also their maunga and their marae and the communities they whakapapa to are also strong and vibrant," Mr Taipari says.
Trusts like Te Taitokerau Ahikaaroa are able to help whanau work through the challenges and choices involved in funding and building affordable, efficient and sustainable homes.
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