11 Oct 2016

Pasifika need to be considered in any homeless solution

From , 4:03 pm on 11 October 2016

A researcher has encouraged the New Zealand government to take into account Pasifika families when addressing housing deprivation or homelessness.

Otago University's Kate Amore examined the last three censuses which showed homelessness growing at accelerating rates since 2001, to the point where one percent of New Zealanders were homeless in 2013.

Dr Amore says Pasifika are the hardest hit when it comes to housing deprivation

She told Koro Vaka'uta 92 percent of homeless Pasifika have been found to be staying with family or, to a lesser degree, friends.

People living in a garage in a South Auckland suburb

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly