“It feels real good having my own space” – Young Māori mothers in the E Hine Study talk about housing
Adcock, Anna; Cram, Fiona; Lawton, Beverley
Abstract – Tuhinga Whakarāpopoto
The provision of good quality housing for young families is a key in supporting health and well-being. This is especially important for young Māori mothers and their children, who experience greater social and health inequities. Low-quality housing can negatively affect health, safety, employment, education, social connectedness, and identity. Seeking the views of young Māori mothers is essential for informing initiatives to support access to housing responsive to their needs and aspirations. The analysis reported here focuses on the housing journeys of the young women during the last year of participation in E Hine, a longitudinal, qualitative, Kaupapa Māori study that followed 44 young Māori women (initially aged 13–19 years) from pregnancy or just after they’d given birth until when their babies were 2-3 years old. Three main needs were identified: the importance of having one’s own space to parent; the desire for a place where they were ‘in charge’ while still being embedded within support networks; and making a “home” during a housing crisis.
Keywords – Kupu Hāngai
Housing, housing condition, renting, homeownership, housing crisis, Māori mothers, E Hine longitudinal study, mental health and wellbeing
Fields of Research – Āpure Rangahau
Housing; Social Science longitudinal studies; mental health and wellbeing; Kaupapa Māori
Date – Te Wā Whakarewa
2021-08
Type – Te Auaha
Journal paper
Collections – Kohinga Kaupapa
Citation – Kupu Hautoa
Adcock, A., Cram, F. & Lawton, B. (2021). “It feels real good having my own space” – Young Māori mothers in the E Hine Study talk about housing. New Zealand Population Review, 47, 171–197. Special Edition: Housing at the heart of place, people and population.
