Ricky Houghton
Cost of living will lead to hardship, disobedience - advocates
Social service providers are worried soaring living costs will lead to hardship and even civil disobedience.
They say people could be forced to take what they need to live. Petrol, food and house… Audio
Rising cost of living crushing those already struggling - advocate
Social service providers are cautioning rising prices crushing those who are already struggling.
Food prices increased by 4.5 percent in 2021, rents are jacking up and people are expecting petrol to… Audio
Māori not sure of proposed water infrastructure reforms
As the Government unveils its ambitious new plan for water, hapū and iwi are worried their voices won't be heard in the four mega agencies proposed,
One example is rural Māori in the North, who… Audio
Covid-19: NZ in the eye of the storm - Māori social housing provider
A Māori social housing provider says it feels like New Zealand is in the eye of an economic storm.
Treasury forecasts released yesterday reveal the country has emerged from this year's lockdowns… Audio
Green Party wants to ramp up social housing construction
The Green Party's policy to ramp up construction of social housing is being hailed by one community leader as a game changer but the National Party has dismissed it as just "wishful thinking" that it… Audio
Housing help can't come fast enough - social housing provider
A Māori social housing provider says families renting in the Far North are living in third world conditions and a Green Party policy to build thousands more affordable homes a year is desperately… Audio
From sleeping rough to path to Kaitaia home ownership
Sub standard dwellings, high rents, Aucklanders on the move and a lack of suitable housing are all factors contributing to the housing crisis in the Far North. Audio
Governor-General urges young to learn Te Reo Maori
Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy has been introduced to life in the Far North this week on her first official visit to Kaitaia. Over three days, she's been welcomed by school children, held a… Audio
He Korowai Trust's mission to make a difference
He Korowai Trust in Kaitaia established Whare Ora, a rent-to-own housing scheme that has benefited a dozen families, and this year will launch a Māori Trade Training Academy. Te Ahi Kaa has a kōrero… Audio
Auckland 'halo' effect reaches Far North
The so-called 'halo' effect of the Auckland housing market has finally reached the Far North. What the locals call the real Far North, that is. The town of Kaitaia - after years in the economic… Audio
Sweet-As Academy to train young Kaitaia Māori in trades
A Far North trust that's been housing the homeless, and helping needy families into their own homes, is embarking on a new project. He Korowai Trust is starting a trades training academy in Kaitaia… Audio
Meth involved in 50% of psychosis in young Northland men
A Northland psychiatrist says methamphetamine is taking a growing toll on mental health in the region. Dr Murray Patton says the drug's now a factor in 50 percent of psychosis admissions involving… Audio
Papakāinga – an insight into Māori housing
Reuben Taipari has lived in a whare uku, a home made of clay and rammed earth for a decade, he says it's an affordable way to live on ancestral land. Ricky Hougton is set to add ten more homes to his… Audio
Lack of job opportunities hitting Northland hard
We cross to Northland where Statistics NZ figures show unemployment is running at double the national average - at 10.6 percent. New figures show 131 thousand people were unemployed in the three… Audio
Kaitaia hit by spate of suicides
Kaitaia is a community in crisis, as mental health services struggle with demand. There's been a spate of suicides, including five in just over a week, community leader Ricky Houghton says. Video, Audio
Old pub to house homeless in Kaitaia
An old Kaitaia hotel has been renovated as an emergency shelter for homeless families in the Far North. He Korowai Trust has installed every service a whanau in trouble could need. Lois Williams… Audio
Families move into new village
Saturday was moving day for a group of low income Far North families who are now settling into their new homes. Audio
Northland ex-state houses for needy families
There's just one more hurdle to jump before nine needy Northland families can move into their very own ex-state houses. Audio
Government go-ahead for He Korowai Trust
A Far North trust which has been working to get homeless families into renovated state houses is relieved to learn it won't lose its charitable tax status. The trust's manager Ricky Houghton says the… Audio
Housing trust wary of key hand-over
The Far North trust trying to help needy families into their own homes says it can not afford to give them the keys until it knows for sure it will not lose its charitable status. Audio