New Zealand State Housing Research

State Housing in NaeNae, Wellington

- The number of households in NaeNae has been increasing at a slower rate than the population growth, implying that the number of people (and possibly families) per household has increased.

- Naenae has an ethnically diverse population.

- About 13 percent of Housing New Zealand ’s households and 24 percent of all households in the areas had lived at their current address for less than one year. This suggests that Housing New Zealand may have a stabilizing influence on tenure. 

- A smaller proportion of Housing New Zealand tenants (13 percent) lasted under one year, which is lower than other residents (24 percent) in the area. This suggests that Housing New Zealand may be a stabilising influence, or that Housing New Zealand tenants are less able to be, or desirous of being, mobile. 

- Naenae is a highly socio-economically deprived area. 

- Residents of Naenae were more likely to report that they did not own their dwelling than regional or national averages.

- Households in Naenae tended to have more residents compared to the average for Lower Hutt City, or the Wellington region.

- A greater proportion of residents of Naenae received income from government means-tested benefits than national and regional averages.

- Housing New Zealand is a major landlord in Naenae.

- Dwellings in Naenae tended to have fewer rooms than regional or national averages.

- About three percent of residents in Naenae reported not heating their dwellings. Some families were living in poorly maintained dwellings.

Research into State Housing in my hometown (Auckland City): Redevelopment of Glen Innes

The Northern Glen Innes Redevelopment Project is part of a national Housing New Zealand redevelopment programme that aims create mixed communities with better quality state houses that matches demand, and more affordable home ownership and social housing opportunities.

About the project:

In northern Glen Innes, we have expensive state houses on big sections in an area close to the city and we need to use that land wisely to help address Auckland’s growing housing problems. This is a priority area for both Auckland Council and Housing New Zealand. To achieve our goals for the area, they plan to redevelop 156 properties to create at least 260 new houses, including:

- 78 owned by Housing New Zealand

- At least 39 other market-based affordable houses 

- And the remainder for private sale.

The project also involves modernising another 40 state houses in Glen Innes, and exterior upgrades to a further 276 state rental houses across Glen Innes and Panmure.

Community partnerships:

Housing New Zealand has supported and welcomed the formation of the Tamaki Redevelopment Company (TRC) aimed at bringing the urban renewal of Tamaki to life. The TRC is accountable for delivering the Tamaki Transformation Programme. They share the TRC’s vision of making Tamaki a safer, prosperous and vibrant place to live. As a partner agency, we will work closely with the TRC to contribute towards the TRC’s overarching plan while progressing the Northern Glen Innes Redevelopment Project.

Tenant liaison:

At some stage, all of the tenants in the state homes earmarked for redevelopment will need to move to alternative state homes and we will assist them with that. Tenants affected by the Northern Glen Innes project will be transferred to another state house in an area of their choice, including Glen Innes. Of the families that have moved to new houses, those that have wanted to remain living in Glen Innes have done so. To date, they have made every effort to relocate families to locations that suit them, including being close to schools, work and community networks. Housing New Zealand has paid for reasonable relocation and reconnection costs. They will continue meeting with all tenants to discuss their needs and options well before they are required to relocate.

I decided to visit Glen Innes to personally evaluate the process of the redevelopment. By transforming the state house in NaeNae into a sustainable, comfortable living space, it too, will become "safer, prosperous and vibrant place to live."