New Zealand

Context at a glance

A New Zealander gives a "thumbs up" from the roof of a Habitat house under construction.

Forty years ago, New Zealand was one of the best-housed nations in the world, with one dwelling for every four persons. Today, while many low-income and even middle-income families might still want to build or buy their own homes, rapidly rising house prices, high household debt and the inability to save a deposit are closing the ownership door for them.

A study released in January 2007 by Demographia International, ranked New Zealand as one of the world's most expensive places to live. Auckland, New Zealand's most populous city, was ranked 21st in a list of the world's 159 cities surveyed. In the past year, the prices of houses increased about 10 per cent, significantly more than the rise in people's incomes.

There are people in New Zealand who live in overcrowded conditions with significant social and health related ill-effects. Many pay a large proportion of their income in rent, often 40 per cent or more.

Although the New Zealand government provides a limited amount of rental housing for low-income families, the waiting list is long: as at 30th November 2006, there were more than 11,000 applicants.

For financial reasons, families may choose to live in garages or other substandard accommodation, or to squeeze into properties designed to accommodate only a few people.

Habitat for Humanity Programme

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand built its first home in 1993 in Pukekohe, a small rural town just south of Auckland in the North Island. It has grown into one of the most innovative national programs in the Asia-Pacific region.

HFH New Zealand works through a network of 16 urban and rural affiliates. Nearly two thirds of partner families are of Maori or Pacific Island origin.

A typical Habitat house in New Zealand is 100 sq. m., constructed with timber framing, fibrous cement cladding and iron roof, which are the most suitable and economical building materials. The average build time is three to six months.

HFH New Zealand has an active program of hosting international volunteer builds, hosting an average of 10 teams per year, mainly from the USA. It also sends an average of six Global Village teams overseas for builds in the Asia-Pacific region.

Country Facts

Population: 4.12 million (July 2007 est.)
Capital: Wellington
Area: 268,680 sq. km.
Ethnic groups: European 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8% (2001 census)
Languages: English (official), Maori (official), Sign Language (official)
Religions: Anglican 14.9%, Roman Catholic 12.4%, Presbyterian 10.9%, Methodist 2.9%, Pentecostal 1.7%, Baptist 1.3%, other Christian 9.4%, others 3.3%, unspecified 17.2%, none 26% (2001 census)

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