Māori housing conference explores housing solutions

By Online News 12:20pm, Thursday 29 September 2016
Source: ​https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/maori-housing-conference-explores-housing-solutions

​The National Māori Housing Conference held in Tauranga is a three-day biennial conference, exploring local, regional and international housing solutions.

The prestigious conference, held from September 29 to October 1, will hear from a number of high-profile speakers and guests from Australia, Hawaii, Canada and New Zealand, including Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and Minister for Social Housing Paula Bennett.

Speakers include Heeni Hoterene and Rueben Porter of the Te Taitokerau Ahikaaroa Trust Project, which has been helping families in Northland develop affordable, efficient and sustainable homes; the Turner whānau from Waikato, who are building a 13-bedroom home to ensure their whānau’s future home ownership; and Henare Cherrington of the East Coast Hemp Organisation (ECHO), which is sharing its research around sustainable building materials.

Tauranga Moana National Māori Housing Organising Committee Chairman Puhirake Ihaka says, “As whānau, hapū and iwi here in Tauranga Moana, we're excited to be able to host this biannual Maori housing conference. This year’s theme is ‘Ma whero ma pango ka oti ai te mahi’ - Collaboration and Strategic Relationships.”
The event aims to produce a high-level national document that identifies strategic solutions for the current and future housing needs of Māori in New Zealand. 
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Te Kāea reporter Mere McLean will have more tonight at 5.30pm, Māori Television.