An exploration of the Māori housing-health nexus during the mid-Twentieth Century

Rout, Matthew; Walker, Grace

Abstract – Tuhinga Whakarāpopoto

Māori died at seven times the national rate during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic. Government officials noted what they described as the shocking housing conditions experienced by Māori. Despite the connections between Māori health and housing being apparent, the interwar years saw little government response. From the late 1950s and through the 1960s, Māori were able to access both mainstream and Māori-specific housing programmes allowing them to acquire a state rental or purchase a new home in increasing numbers. These houses, while far from perfect, were of a far higher quality than those Māori had lived in previously. During this same period, Māori physical health also improved across a number of indicators, including those specifically identified as being connected to the low quality of Māori housing. However, mental and social health declined, as Māori increasingly lived in Western-centric housing and suburbs that did not facilitate traditional patterns of life or consideration for Māori values. This tempers the apparent success of some of these policies. It also provides a path forward where both material and cultural housing outcomes and physical as well as mental and social health are considered in a holistic fashion.

Keywords – Kupu Hāngai

Housing, Māori housing, wellbeing, Māori health, state housing policy, mid-20th century housing policy

Fields of Research – Āpure Rangahau

Māori housing; Housing insecurity; Mental Health and Wellbeing; Health impacts of housing

Date – Te Wā Whakarewa

2021-08

Type – Te Auaha

Journal Paper

Collections – Kohinga Kaupapa

• Te Tai Tokerau / Northern Aoteoroa New Zealand
• Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
• Hauraki-Waikato / North Western North Island
• Waiariki (Tauranga, Whakatāne, Rotorua, Taupo)
• Te Tai Hauāuru / Western North Island
• Ikaroa-Rawhiti / East Coast and Pōneke / Wellington
• Te Waipounamu / South Island
• Kāinga Tahi, Kāinga Rua
• Mana Kāinga / Housing
• Mana Tangata / Mental Health and Wellbeing
• New Zealand Population Review, 47. Special Edition: Housing at the heart of place, people and population

Citation – Kupu Hautoa

Rout, M. & Walker, G. (2021). An exploration of the Māori housing-health nexus during the mid-Twentieth Century. New Zealand Population Review, 47, 70–107. Special Edition: Housing at the heart of place, people and population.