Latest news with #PriorityOne
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Priority One: Twelve Months In, 2100 Children Housed
Hon Chris Bishop Minister of Housing Associate Minister of Housing In the first twelve months of the Government's flagship Priority One policy, nearly 1000 families with more than 2,124 children have been moved from dank emergency housing motel rooms to secure, stable homes. 'The largescale use of emergency housing was one of the biggest public policy failures in New Zealand history. Under the previous government's watch, thousands of children were consigned to grow up in cramped, dingy motel rooms at a cost to taxpayers of $1 million every day at its peak,' Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. 'The cost to taxpayers was a scandal, but the social cost for families trying to raise their kids from a motel room for months or even years on end was an absolute tragedy. 'We campaigned on introducing a Priority One category to help these kids and their families move into social homes, and getting it up and running was a key priority for us as an incoming Government. 'Priority One, which has now been in place for a year, bumps families with dependent children to the very top of the social housing waitlist if they have been in emergency housing for 12 weeks or more. 'Thanks to Priority One and the hard work of many frontline staff across multiple government agencies, thousands of children now live in a warm, dry social home instead of a crowded motel room.' Minister Potaka said the Government had already achieved its target of reducing the number of households in Emergency Housing by 75 per cent by 2030 and now needed to maintain progress. Since November 2023 to April 2025, households in emergency housing have dropped from 3,342 to 516– that's a drop of 84.5 percent. 'And importantly, there are now significantly fewer children in emergency housing. In April 2024, there were 3,339 children in emergency housing, and a year later we're down to 519. 'The focus on supporting whānau with tamariki into better stable homes could mean a world of difference for their health, school attendance, and regular employment. 'One of the whānau we're talking about today is a family of six whose eldest child has serious health concerns needing specialist care, but who had been struggling while stuck living in emergency accommodation for six months. 'Our Priority One focus helped get this whānau into a stable Kāinga Ora home and helped enable them to get the wider support they needed. 'We will continue to improve the housing system because there are thousands of deserving people out there just like this whānau, many of them on the social housing list just waiting to take proper care and enjoy a better home. 'MSD has also improved how it tracks emergency housing outcomes. We now know where around 85 percent of those leaving emergency housing go - be it social housing, transitional housing, or a private rental. 'Of the households that exited emergency housing (excluding contracted emergency housing) during December 2024: 37 percent left emergency housing to go into social housing (4 percent through CHPs, 33 percent through Kāinga Ora) 29 percent had moved into transitional housing 19 percent were receiving the accommodation supplement for a private rental 14 percent did not access any of this housing-related assistance.'
NZ Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Hemi Rolleston wins Tauranga Māori ward byelection
Sydney was elected to the council in July 2024 but was unable to take up his position due to illness. The final vote count shows Rolleston won by 119 votes. He received 543 votes. Rolleston, who is Sydney 's uncle, told Local Democracy Reporting he was proud and elated to take on the role. 'The message is clear the community supports me, and I won't let them down,' he said. 'A special mihi to Mikaere, much aroha to him at this time.' The 56-year-old, who has whakapapa to Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whakaue and Te Arawa, lives in Matapihi. He is a professional director and previously worked at Tauranga City Council as the head of Māori land. He has also been a board member of Priority One, Grow Rotorua and SmartGrowth. Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he was looking forward to welcoming Rolleston to the council governance table. 'The Māori Ward is an important seat because it helps ensure there is wide community representation. 'I look forward to Councillor Elect Rolleston joining our team of 10 and providing a voice for the Te Awanui Ward as we work collaboratively for the good of Tauranga.' Rolleston would officially join the council on May 8.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Tauranga Māori Ward Byelection: Hemi Rolleston Leads In Progress Results
Hemi Rolleston is set to be Tauranga's new Māori ward councillor, an early vote count indicates. Tauranga City Council released the progress result for the Te Awanui Ward byelection on Tuesday afternoon, after voting closed at midday. The result is based on the counting of about 80% of returned voting papers. The Te Awanui Māori Ward byelection was triggered after Mikaere Sydney resigned his position in January. Sydney was elected to the council in July 2024 but was unable to take up his position due to illness. Rolleston is Sydney's uncle and previously told Local Democracy Reporting he was inspired by his nephew to stand. He consulted Sydney's whānau about stepping in to 'complete the mahi'. The 56-year-old has whakapapa to Ngāi Te rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa and lives in Matapihi. He is a professional director and previously worked at Tauranga City Council as the head of Māori land. He has also been a board member of Priority One, Grow Rotorua and SmartGrowth. The council said in a statement the progress result did not include special votes and voting papers returned on Tuesday. The outcome could change once all voting papers were counted. A preliminary result was expected to be released by 1pm Wednesday, with the final result expected by 4pm. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
29-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Tauranga Māori ward byelection: Hemi Rolleston leads in progress results
Sydney was elected to the council in July 2024 but was unable to take up his position due to illness. Rolleston is Sydney 's uncle and previously told Local Democracy Reporting he was inspired by his nephew to stand. He consulted Sydney's whānau about stepping in to 'complete the mahi'. The 56-year-old has whakapapa to Ngāi Te rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa and lives in Matapihi. He is a professional director and previously worked at Tauranga City Council as the head of Māori land. He has also been a board member of Priority One, Grow Rotorua and SmartGrowth. The council said in a statement the progress result did not include special votes and voting papers returned on Tuesday. The outcome could change once all voting papers were counted. A preliminary result was expected to be released by 1pm Wednesday, with the final result expected by 4pm.
