About me
It seems a given that all New Zealander’s should have access to appropriate and affordable housing, but for an increasing number of New Zealanders unfortunately this is not the case. While issues around housing affordability and social housing get a lot of attention, demand for action on homelessness has been less high profile. And yet we are often talking about the most vulnerable people with the highest and most complex needs.
Not long after taking on the housing portfolio in 2009 I visited a series of boarding houses with members of the Coalition to End Homelessness and it literally kept me awake at night. In a country as fortunate and wealthy as New Zealand no one should have to be living in these conditions.
I’ve really enjoyed working with the Coalition to End Homelessness and groups like LIFEWISE in my role as Labour’s housing spokesperson. I’ve learnt an awful lot about a highly misunderstood issue and hope to be able to do a lot more in the future to work towards eradicating homelessness in Aotearoa.
Why am I doing the LIFEWISE Big Sleepout?
Homelessness remains one of the most misunderstood social issues in New Zealand. It’s too easy to do nothing because we tell ourselves that homelessness is a “choice”. I hope by taking part in the Big Sleepout I can help raise profile and money for this important cause.
