Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library, Mrs Scott Collection.
For centuries, MΔori built homes that were warm, dry, sustainable and centred on whΔnau.
Homelessness, damp houses and overcrowding were not part of te ao MΔori.
Two researchers say the systems that displaced MΔori from their kΔinga still shape housing inequities today and the solutions lie in restoring MΔori autonomy over how communities build.
Professor Deidre Brown (NgΔpuhi, NgΔti Kahu) has spent more than two decades researching MΔori architecture.
She is a professor at Te Pare School of Architecture and Planning at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, and co-director of MΔPIHI, the Centre for MΔori and Pacific Housing Research.
A few years ago, she and other MΔori academics sat down to ask what issues most affected MΔori and "what are the skills that we can bring to the table that might help?".
"We all agreed housing was the No.1 critical issue that we could actually make a positive contribution to," she told RNZ.
The rΕpΕ« went on to interview 30-40 stakeholders - from KΔinga Ora and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to MΔori housing providers, marae, iwi, community groups and architects.
"We asked them, what are the challenges and opportunities in
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