The Department of Anthropology at the University of Auckland has recently published the findings of research undertaken for for Housing New Zealand’s Housing Pathways Longitudinal Study.

Researchers Kathryn Scott (Housing New Zealand Corporation), Julie Park (University of Auckland) and Patricia Laing (Housing New Zealand Corporation) - all members of the Society of Medical Anthropology in Aotearoa - carried out interviews with households with children who were living in, or applying to live in, state housing in South Auckland.

Housing Children: South Auckland The Housing Pathways Longitudinal Study is the result of an analysis of what parents and caregivers said in relation to children and housing in the Housing New Zealand Housing Pathways study. The key findings are that safe, secure, stable housing is crucial, but it needs to be accompanied by adequate household income, and safe, well planned, and adequately serviced neighbourhoods to achieve the most benefit, Tenants in state houses often become hubs for wider family. While this has benefits it can lead to crowding. The authors argue that considering the changing ecology of housing over time for families and individuals - housing pathways - is fundamental to understanding housing issues.

The goal of Housing New Zealand's Housing Pathways research series is to develop an evidence base about the way that housing pathways and life circumstances influence outcomes for Housing New Zealand Corporation applicants and tenants. You can read more about the research series on the Hub (a resource containing social science research undertaken, commissioned, or funded by central government in New Zealand) or via Housing New Zealand's online publications.