DOIA20/21050574
11 June 2021
Adam Irish
[FYI request #15480 email]
Dear Adam
On 17 May 2021, you requested the following information from Kāinga Ora – Homes and
Communities (Kāinga Ora) under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
If Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities produces or estimates the number of new
houses and residential dwellings needed in each region.
How it works out this figure, given Statistics NZ does not forecast this.
If Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities does not work this out then how do they forecast
demand and feedback into broader government policy settings on the demand side,
such as planning and feeding back on immigration impacts on housing.
As you were advised by Kāinga Ora on 19 May 2021, your request was transferred to Te
Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (the Ministry) for a
response.
The Ministry’s efforts have been focused on a place-based approach to housing need. The
place-based approach is about moving away from a “one size fits all’ approach. It has instead
enabled the Government to partner with local Councils, iwi, and key stakeholders to gain a
stronger understanding of the local housing need, and the mix of actions required to respond
differently to housing pressures within a specific place.
As part of this approach the Ministry monitors a variety of indicators of housing need, including
population growth projections and estimates, immigration and monitoring residential
construction intentions and output. In addition, the Ministry has commissioned the creation of a
housing needs modelling tool based on the specific characteristics of our population and
housing stock. It wil enable forecast scenarios of demand for up to 30 years, at a regional level
and by demographic breakdowns.
In January 2021 we published the Public Housing Plan which focuses on building new houses
in focus areas with Kāinga Ora leading the delivery. It takes a deliberate, place-based and
MAIHI (Māori and Iwi Housing Innovation Framework for Action) approach, collaborating with
our partners in the community to develop and implement joined-up local solutions where the
need for public housing is urgent. You can read more about the plan on our website at
www.hud.govt.nz/community-and-public-housing/increasing-public-housing/public-housing-
plan/
.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of my response by the Ombudsman, in
accordance with section 28(3) of the Act. The relevant details can be found on the
Ombudsman’s websit
e www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
As part of our ongoing commitment to openness and transparency, the Ministry proactively
releases information and documents that may be of interest to the public. As such, this
response, with your personal details removed, may be published on our website.
Yours sincerely
Caroline Reid
Manager, Place-based Outcomes
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