Turia Tariana: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
Turia Tariana: Estimates Debate — In Committee 
[Volume:665;Page:12796] 
Hon TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Maori Party) 
: 
 Mr Chairman tena koe. Tena tatou katoa. One of the good things about not being in the mainstream parties is that one listens to these debates that go on and one compares the previous Government with this Government. I have to say that the performance of the previous Government in housing was not all that hot. 
Today at question time there was a debate about the unacceptably high levels of rheumatic fever in Maori Pasifika and high-deprivation communities. Approximately 146 people die per year from the complications of this condition and the majority of them are Maori and Pasifika. But although the ongoing treatment is estimated to be costing the health sector at least $10 million per year the reality is that this is a condition of poverty and also of very poor housing. It will take a lot more than just the health sector to get it right. Rheumatic fever is associated with poor living conditions socio-economic deprivation and overcrowded housing conditions. 
The case of Porirua woman To’a Finau in my electorate is a classic example of the link between housing and health. The extreme dampness of her State house’s bedrooms forced the family of four to sleep in very cramped conditions in one room. Her son is only 15 months old her 14-year-old daughter has chronic asthma and she has a chronic heart condition. Insulation was supposed to be installed in September 2009 but 9 months later in June this year it still has not happened. However I understand that in recent weeks the family has been moved. 
It is useful to see up front in Vote Housing the recognition from this Minister of Housing that many of the existing State houses are not insulated and need to be modernised and reconfigured. I believe that this Minister will do a great job. I congratulate Minister Heatley on his assurances to the select committee that another 8000 upgrades are planned and the only concern I would have is that it is hard to understand quite where the resourcing might come from when the $124 million stimulus appropriation granted in 2009-10 has come to an end. 
Of course the condition of existing State houses is not the only issue of concern. Our concern is also about priority according to the State housing waiting list. There are some huge issues for us in terms of the number of whanau in severe and persistent housing needs. These whanau are seriously at risk because of their housing circumstances. Their housing is unsuitable inadequate or unsustainable. We know that 67 percent of Maori are renting or boarding with approximately 72000 Maori occupants residing in State houses. More than 55.7 percent of Maori living in State housing are under the age of 20 and we know also that Maori are particularly prevalent amongst the homeless. We are inevitably concerned when we learn of the intention to reduce the waiting list significantly to free up spaces on the waiting lists for people with real needs. The question we ask now is how real need is defined. Is it people located in overcrowded and inappropriate housing young and vulnerable New Zealanders or those who are homeless? 
We also have some concerns about what will happen in the decision to encourage those applicants who no longer meet the category of housing need to apply in the open market for private rental accommodation. It cannot be overlooked that racial discrimination affects our access to housing. A couple of years ago the reality of racism in the housing market became known through the exposure in the media of a south Waikato landlord and a Tauranga property-owner who declared that banning Maori tenants made good business sense and should be allowed. Such comments only scrape the surface of the levels of institutional racism that other researchers have identified. In this context we would put forward to the Housing New Zealand Corporation the suggestion that it could play a role in mentoring potential tenants or by providing them with letters of reference to support Maori Pasifika and ethnic minority tenants to enter the rental market on a strong footing. 
Finally we note the minor but significant paragraph placed at the end of the report which outlines some of the great initiatives the Maori Party has been involved in. Thank you.