Podcasts about kainga ora

Brad from Plantation Builds in Wellington targets the specific operational failure of believing that grinding hard on the tools will automatically generate business success. Operating under the assumption that good carpentry equates to good business management left him working full noise through the weekends, dealing with material shortages, and sifting through 30 entirely unqualified resumes on generic job boards. To resolve this friction, Brad executed a massive mindset shift. He transitioned into high-end commercial gym fit-outs using labor-only contracts, removing the stress of material procurement. To gain control of his time, he split his week into strictly three days on the tools and two days in the office. By deploying a cash bounty system to his internal crew to hire a reliable site foreman, he actively removed himself as the operational bottleneck and achieved his first $1 million revenue year. Links & Resources Plantation Builds: https://www.plantationbuilds.co.nz/ Seek: https://au.seek.com/

Kainga Ora has just opened Northland's biggest-ever social housing development, a 95-home complex in central Whangarei. Reporter Peter de Graaf met a few lucky tenants, and some of those still waiting.

Liz Gunn speaks with Amanda, a former tenancy manager and property professional with 10 years of experience (including time working for Housing NZ), about her harrowing battle with Kainga Ora. After being defrauded of her life savings by a dishonest trustee, Amanda and her 88-year-old mother were forced into state housing.When Kainga Ora decided to sell the property, Amanda was pressured for months to sign a false “voluntary relinquishment” declaration before any relocation options would be offered. Refusing to lie, she faced repeated threats of immediate eviction onto the street with her elderly, frail, and blind mother.Amanda details the coercion, breaches of mandatory processes, withheld information, and what she describes as deliberate delays and misleading tactics by Kainga Ora staff. She highlights how the system appears designed to wear tenants down, with adjudicators seemingly favouring the agency.This is not an isolated case - Amanda believes many other Housing NZ tenants are enduring similar treatment but lack the knowledge or resources to fight back.The case raises serious questions about tenant rights, delegated authority, and accountability within New Zealand's social housing system.Amanda's hearing starts at 2:15pm on Wednesday 29th April, 2026, at Manukau District Court in Room 15.NewstalkZB article: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/coercion-tenant-blind-mum-must-voluntarily-leave-state-home-or-face-eviction/Tenancy Tribunal Transcript: https://mega.nz/file/bNJxFKIA#DICBajZdhIwGE-dUCciDZPjCKv67yJz76SnZEH0Yyjs

A potential new law could restrict Crown funds reaching gang-linked organisations. Takanini National MP Rima Nakhle's proposed amendment to the Public Finance Bill has been pulled from the biscuit tin. It would prohibit agencies from providing money to organisations run, administered or associated with gangs. Nakhle says the last Government gave $2.75 million to gangs via Kainga Ora. "There's no doubt that there's people that choose to change their lives, but we're not going to accept that public money goes to gangs, basically, when they're the ones selling the drugs. So how do they become the saviours?" LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are known around the world for their kindness. We open doors, we say please and thank you, we help out our neighbour. We leap in to help when help is needed. It's one of the traits we're most proud of. But one thing we hate more than anything else is when that kindness is taken for granted - then it's no more Mr Nice Guy. We say this with kids stealing from dairies and ram-raiding poor old hard-working dairy owners. The minute they started destroying livelihoods and beating people with screw drivers and hammers, sympathy evaporated. Sure, some of these kids may have had hard upbringings, but there are plenty of kids with tough upbringings who choose not to drive a Nissan Gidda through a four-square window at 3am. So, we voted for boot camps. We reversed our ‘no chase' police pursuit policy. We cracked down. Kindness has its limits. A long time ago, for those who frequent the city, we crossed the same line with beggars and rough sleepers. We care about them. We donate our time and money to the City Mission. We pay our taxes knowing they should be going to help in some way, improve their lives. But there are also a bunch of idiots taking advantage with squirted bottles at traffic lights. They can be aggressive and dangerous. Same goes for the rough sleepers on the footpaths in some of our big cities. It's costing businesses. It's destroying the reputation of entire swathes of city shops. These shops provide jobs for the rest of us. Especially in our biggest city, where foreign tourists first impressions should not be a punch up between two roughies on the footpath. So, while the headlines about this ‘'move on” policy, like the crackdown on ram-raiders before it, or the hardline on Kainga Ora tenants before it, will scream cruel and mean. They're out of step with the reality people are facing in their own lives. The good grace cup hath runnith empty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Does he stand by all his statements and actions regarding liquefied natural gas? NANCY LU to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on Investment Boost? LAURA McCLURE to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What legislation is she currently progressing? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister of Police: Does he stand by all his statements and actions related to supporting Police's front line? ORIINI KAIPARA to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What assurances can she give to Maori, and to all vulnerable communities in Aotearoa, that they will not be harmed by the Online Casino Gambling Bill? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Local Government: What advice has he asked for or received about the risk of more wastewater disasters like that at Moa Point, noting that the water regulator says about a third of wastewater plants are operating with expired consents? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement, "The Government is committed to the Roads of National Significance"? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Housing: What progress has Kainga Ora made on its turnaround plan? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister for Energy: What is the total estimated cost of infrastructure and annual lease fees over 15 years for the proposed liquefied natural gas import terminal? Hon Dr DEBORAH RUSSELL to the Minister of Climate Change: Does he agree with Hon Nicola Willis that "New Zealand globally contributes an absolutely tiny proportion of overall emissions"; if so, is this an indication the Government has given up on goals to reduce our emissions? MAUREEN PUGH to the Minister of Conservation: What recent announcements has he made regarding conservation concessions? LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Is she still confident that firefighters have the appliances and equipment they need to do their jobs safely and effectively; if so, why?

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Friday the 13th of Feburary 2025, The Government says Kainga Ora has exceeded savings targets, delivering $211 million in operating cost reductions, Associate Minister of Housing tells Ryan how they've made savings. New Zealand First's announced they'll be campaigning for a referendum to put an end to Māori electorate seats, former Te Pati Māori co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell shares his thoughts. The Sail GP is back in Auckland, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited CEO Nick Hill tells Ryan how big of a boost this will be for the city. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on Sir Jim Ratcliffe apologising for saying the UK is 'colonised by immigrants' and US President Donald Trump's multi-billion dollar lawsuit against the BBC has been scheduled to go to trial in February 2027, according to court documents. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After pouring more than $11 million into a Rotorua motel complex for the homeless, Kāinga Ora has decided to tear it down and put the Fenton St site on the market. One year on since Kainga Ora began its turnaround plan, and it's now exceeding its saving targets. Tenancy satisfaction is rising, vacancy rates are lower, fewer tenants are in rent arrears, and Kāinga Ora is doing a better job of managing its tenants to support safe, respectful communities. Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka joined Kerre Woodham to discuss the successful changes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A former New Plymouth mayor has put in a bid to buy two blocks of Kainga Ora flats - planning to bowl them and build apartments alongside an upmarket development he already has under way. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin reports.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Ruwani Perera, Dan Brunskill and Tracey Martin. On the show: the continuing fallout from the IPCA report on how police handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming; The Opportunities Party is now Opportunity; Labour is now the most trusted party to respond to the most important issues to voters, according to a new survey and Bhissy's Bridge: was it kosher for Chris Bishop to agree to reallocate funds from Kainga Ora to a bridge in his electorate ... a bridge he campaigned on.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all the Government's statements and actions? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister of Finance: What recent announcements has she made about fair trading? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made about the Hawke's Bay Expressway? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? TANGI UTIKERE to the Minister of Transport: Does he stand by his statement, "It's part of the Government's work to ensure New Zealand has a credible pipeline of high value infrastructure projects extending into the future, and that they're ready to go as funding becomes available"? SIMON COURT to the Minister for Regulation: What does the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill mean for New Zealanders? JOSEPH MOONEY to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent announcements has she made about tourism in New Zealand? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Housing: What are the total proceeds received from the sale of Kainga Ora properties under this Government? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister for Building and Construction: What is the Government doing to make building easier? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Question to Member Hon RACHEL BROOKING to the Chairperson of the Environment Committee: Why did she explain advertising an 11-day submissions deadline for the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill on the basis that "Under Standing Order 198, I opened submissions to meet the expectation of the timeframe", when Standing Order 198 makes no reference to the time frame for submissions?

A former Prime Minister's backing the view that large-scale government housing ownership like Kainga Ora is problematic. A report by The New Zealand Initiative finds the Government's ownership of 77,000 state houses, has maintenance costs nearly twice that of a private landlord. It finds it also doesn't respond quickly enough to issues like rent arrears, and troublesome tenants. Sir Bill English told Mike Hosking his independent review panel into the agency found similar issues. He says the point of social housing is to improve the lives of the tenants, so it means focusing on the people, and who owns the houses, is less important. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dixon Street building debacle surely allows us to ask some questions of the Treaty process. If you missed it, Dixon St Apartments sold for a million dollars to local Māori under their Treaty deal – the Treaty deal had a first right of refusal clause. Now my assumption, clearly incorrect, is you would get first right of refusal based on the idea that something of cultural or historic significance was coming to the market, and as local iwi you wouldn't want to miss the opportunity. I didn't realise this was a commercial free for all, where anything and everything for sale goes to local Māori first. Further, I had assumed, clearly wrongly as well, that in having a first right of refusal, that meant that long lost treasure, whether historic or cultural, would be returned to said iwi to be honoured and looked after in perpetuity, not flicked off for quick profit. So obviously nothing like that is remotely part of the Treaty deals. So first question: why not? Next question is: if it isn't, is it commercially acceptable to have a race-based clause when it comes to real estate? And even if it is, is it commercially acceptable to sell stuff cheap? For if you haven't followed the story, five minutes after buying the building, the new owners sold it on for $3 million. So under a special deal signed for, on our behalf, by our government, we, the taxpayer, lose $2 million on one building. Next question: how could a Crown agency, i.e. Kainga Ora, think $1 million was a good price for something that was clearly worth $3 million? And in that is the problem with not involving the free market. Next question: did anyone involved in the cloistered deal know what they were doing, and if not, given its taxpayers' dosh, why not? Another question: was the Treaty process designed so tribes could get into real estate speculation? At what point was a Treaty settlement about putting past wrongs right versus turning tribes into speculators? This was a bad deal. The original owners of Dixon St, us, got stiffed. And we got stiffed because of a race-based real estate clause that arguably should never have been part of an historic arrangement in the first place. Final question: what are we going to do about it? Or more worryingly, is there anything we can do about it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 30 September 2025, former Tony Blair adviser John Mcternan speaks to Heather about Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza - and whether it will lead to peace. The Government is celebrating getting closer to meeting some health targets but postcode lottery is still alive and well. Malcolm Mulholland from Patient Voice Aotearoa revealed what needs to change to make health access better across the country. Should horseriders be allowed to use a shared footpath? Plus, the Huddle debates whether Kainga Ora should have sold Wellington's Dixon St flats for more than $1million - and whether the big Defence Force flyover at the All Blacks game was embarrassing. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INTERVIEW: Duncan Eddy on petition to stop Kainga Ora selling state homes in Koputai Port Chalmers by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

After more than four years living in a motel room, a New Plymouth man paralysed in a fall is finally in a home of his own. Shane Emeny's Kainga Ora house has been modified for a wheelchair user and gives him the privacy he's craved since 2021. At long last he has also got a spare room for when his 11-year-old son comes to stay. Now, the 49-year-old wants to make sure no one is again left languishing for years in emergency accommodation - which comes at a hefty cost to the people there and the taxpayer. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

A woman is dead after being shot by the police officers called to her home over concerns for her safety. A man remains in hospital in a stable condition after also being shot by police. Officers were called to the Kainga Ora property in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr about 11 o'clock last night after a person who knew the pair reported concerns for their safety as the man had a knife. 10 police officers went to the home with one officer armed with a long-rifle firing a single round at the man and another round at the woman. Timothy Brown reports.

Cordons remain in place on Clyde Road in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr where police shot two people at a Kainga Ora property last night. 

Residential building consents are still heading south with 11 out of 16 regions around the country rubber stamping fewer builds compared to last year. Labour has accused the government of effectively hammering a nail in the coffin of building industry by slashing the number of state houses Kainga Ora is building, contributing to a "huge slow down in construction". The Building Minister has said their maths is all wrong. Building industry analyst Mike Blackburn spoke to Lisa Owen.

A New Plymouth man paralysed after a fall, is just a week away from moving into a wheelchair friendly state house after waiting for more than four years. Shane Emeny, who became a paraplegic after falling from a five metre concrete ledge has been staying in a modified emergency housing motel room since the accident. Kainga Ora finally offered Shane a house last year but it taken months for modificaitons to be made through ACC. Shane Emeny spoke to Lisa Owen.

Education Ministry data shows three and a half thousand kids have been missing from the education system for more than a year since 2022. Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service Cathy Chalmers told Heather du Plessis-Allan having to find these kids is part of the problem. She says a multi-agency approach is needed, as there are normally other issues that contribute to disenrollment or low attendance. The Government says it's putting information-sharing agreements in place, between agencies like Kainga Ora and the Health Ministry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a rebuild was cancelled, the former tenants of a social housing development in Auckland have seemingly 'disappeared' Despite a housing crisis, Kainga Ora is scaling back new builds. In one Auckland suburb, a cancelled development has uprooted hundreds.…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Otago reporter Tess Brunton has the latest from the region, including a Kainga Ora tenant who spent a week without hot water and the return of trans-Tasman flights into Dunedin.

An Auckland state house tenant is unfairly being forced to choose between her two dogs or a roof over her head according to an advocate for the family. The Favona family, a grandma, mum and son has a pair of mixed breed dogs and say Kainga Ora has told them to get rid of the dogs or risk losing their home. The family claims its been upfront with the agency, about having the dogs and there's been no complaints about Nema and Sophie. An Animal Sanctuary that's helping them rehome the dogs says the family got into problems when they filled out a Kainga Ora pet policy form, and indentified the dogs as Pitbulls even though they are mixbreed and not pure bred. Anna Dahlberg, who runs Paws Awhile Animal Sanctuary spoke to Lisa Owen.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 23 June 2025, David Kilcullen, former advisor to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaks to Heather du Plessis-Allan on the odds of Trump bringing in regime change in Iran. Exclusive polling shows Kiwis don't think Cook Islanders should continue to get automatic access to citizenship, healthcare and superannuation if the country continues with its foreign policy push towards China against NZ's will. Finance Minister Nicola Willis is refusing to tell Heather the price of the new Kainga Ora wool carpets. All Black rookie Brodie McAlister on finding out he'd made the team - and the first person he told. Plus, the Huddle weighs in on the situation in Iran and whether saunas are taking off in NZ. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kainga Ora's staying tight-lipped on how much it'll cost to carpet state homes in Kiwi wool. The Government's mandating using woollen fibres in new homes where appropriate from next month - to support the industry. The same will apply to new state buildings like schools and public service offices. Kainga Ora chief executive Matt Crockett says he can't reveal the exact price because of of commercial sensitivities, but it's not expensive. "Basically, it's cost-neutral - but wool's a great product and we were really pleased with the pricing that came back." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Maxim Institute researcher Thomas Scrimgeour and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The UN has raised the alarm over declining fertility rates, with cost of living and job insecurity being cited as the primary factors behind these changes. How can we fix this? What changes could be made? Kainga Ora is set to roll out the wool carpets in new state homes. How do we feel about this? Should Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley resign because he didn't tell us the truth earlier about why Adrian Orr quit? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 12 June 2025, the future of Aukus has been thrown into doubt. Dr Michael Fullilove from the respected Lowy Institute in Australia tells Heather there's a lot at stake with almost $400 billion dollars worth of submarines on order. Kainga Ora boss Matt Crockett gets a grilling from Heather over the cost of the new wool carpets the state housing provider has committed to. Households throw away $1500 worth of food every year, and the staggering amount of money we could save if we didn't send so much to landfill. The UN says our fertility rates have reached crisis level, and Heather has a theory on why women don't have more kids. Plus, Heather lays out the case for why Reserve Bank chair Neil Quigley should quit. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister says a move to require wool carpets in state housing makes financial sense. Nicola Willis has announced a change to Kainga Ora's supplier agreement that will see it re-open its previously nylon-only carpet tender process. From the start of next month, all public entities will also be required to use woollen fibres where practical and appropriate. Willis told Mike Hosking officials have told her it makes sense for Kainga Ora to make this change. She says it's cost-neutral, and it performs well across a number of other dimensions. Nicola Willis says the Reserve Bank should never be exempt from cost-cutting across the public sector. Newly released documents show Adrian Orr's abrupt resignation as Governor came after he was denied the Budget allocation he was seeking. The Finance Minister says the central bank still has the funding it requires to do its statutory duties. She told Hosking the Reserve Bank can't operate as a "gilded palace" – it needs to be fiscally responsible, like all other government departments. Willis says any idea that the Reserve Bank doesn't need to abide by the same funding constraints as other Government agencies is wrong. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A survivor of abuse in state care is heartbroken after her long-held dream of buying a gypsy wagon to travel around in ran into a wall of bureaucracy. As soon as Robyn Dandy received compensation for torture at the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit in the 1970s she bought a wagon, fulfilling a promise she made to her grandson before he died in a house fire. Now, state housing provider Kainga Ora has said the wagon breaks its rules and must go. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Christopher Luxon says the Government's making its expectations clear when it comes to behaviour in social housing. Kāinga Ora is formally warning seven times as many tenants as it was last financial year. It's evicted 63 tenants in 10 months for disruptive behaviour. The Prime Minister told Mike Hosking the enforcement action is sending a clear message about what is and isn't acceptable. He says it's a privilege to be in a state house funded by the taxpayer, and unruly behaviour isn't okay. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope there can be a turnaround in unruly Kāinga Ora tenants. A Government crackdown has resulted in 63 tenancy terminations in the past 10 months - up from 11 in the year before. Formal warnings have gone up 600%. Litigation Lawyer Adina Thorn told Mike Hosking the figures are encouraging. She says it looks like under this government, there's been a big step up and a moderate to good response to the behaviour that has been going on in some KO homes across New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

government announced Community Housing Providers would get $140 million to build social housing, plans for hundreds of new Kainga Ora homes remain on ice. Rachel Helyer Donaldson reports.

Kainga Ora doesn't seem to care about dogs being mistreated at their properties or being kept by tenants without proper agreements, according to an Auckland resident who said he's been complaining to the agency about abused animals for years. The Onehunga resident spoke to Lisa Owen.

The number of Kāinga Ora tenancy terminations is being described as a far cry from what's needed. Newstalk ZB can reveal the agency terminated 299 tenancies in the year to March – more than double the 134 in the year before. Much of the increase is from Kāinga Ora taking a stronger line on disruptive tenants and rent arrears. Litigation lawyer Adina Thorn told Mike Hosking Kāinga Ora needs to evict 1,000 to 1,500 tenants by her own calculations. She says nobody wants to live in public housing when they're next people described as the worst of the worst. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers JAMIE ARBUCKLE to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Have Maori-Crown relations improved since the coalition Government took office? KATIE NIMON to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the fiscal policy response to economic shocks? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister of Education: Is she committed to the purpose of the Education and Training Act 2020 that establishes and regulates an education system that "honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and supports Maori-Crown relationships"; if so, how? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Does he accept evidence that a person struck by a vehicle travelling at 30 km/h has a 90 percent chance of surviving, dropping to only 20 percent if hit at 50 km/h; if so, will he listen to the pleas from school principals, aged care residents, and communities who want to keep safer speeds of 30 km/h? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement, "That is why we are prioritising disabled people, their families, and carers"; if so, is she confident that all Government agencies are acting in the best interests of disabled people? TAKUTA FERRIS to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What assurances can he provide, if any, that his proposed fisheries reforms will not diminish Maori customary gathering rights or the ability of New Zealanders to gather kai moana to feed their whanau? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Can he guarantee that cutting a net 673 roles at Kainga Ora will not impact any front-line services, including those working with the Ministry of Social Development to place people in public housing? Dr CARLOS CHEUNG to the Minister of Housing: What reports has he seen on the housing market? SHANAN HALBERT to the Minister of Education: What evidence, if any, does she have that supports the removal of the relationship and sexuality education guidelines? MILES ANDERSON to the Associate Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made about the Ashburton Bridge? Dr PARMJEET PARMAR to the Minister for Children: What recent announcements has she made regarding a safety-first approach for Oranga Tamariki?

There's industry celebrations over a directive to use Kiwi wool in Government buildings. New builds worth more than $9 million and refurbishments costing over $100,000 must use wool where possible from July, meeting a Coalition deal. In January, housing agency Kainga Ora reversed its price-based decision to not use dearer wool products Campaign for Wool's general manager, Kara Biggs, says she's ecstatic. "It will start to create more and more demand - so growers, manufacturers, brands, they will all reap the financial benefits from this decision today." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new affordable housing solution has just been completed. The Living House, designed by RTA Studio, takes just six weeks to build, costing only $333 thousand. It costs $253,000 less than the Government's average Kainga Ora build, and Architect Rich Naish told Mike Hosking they got frustrated by the failure of successive governments to build truly affordable housing. He says they've designed it to be scalable, optimising it down to the cheapest and simplest build so it can be repeated by individuals or organisations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kainga Ora says four state houses that started to float in Auckland's devastating flooding two years ago will be made livable again because stormwater upgrades in the area will reduce the risk of repeat flooding. Amy Williams reports.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 25th of March, the Government is adjusting the RMA again – will this change be the end of it all? The Prime Minister is back from India and talking Kainga Ora, councils stopping the clock, and our national debt. Australian singer Pete Murray is coming back to New Zealand after 17 years to play some shows, so he came on for a chat. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mangere-Enviro hub is a Kainga Ora owned site which has been re-purposed from housing to an area with a community garden, composting and tree planting in the heart of South Auckland. Luka Forman went for a visit.

Kainga Ora staff say they're stressed, exhausted, and disheartened by more potential job losses, and being told to stay positive by their leaders isn't helping. RNZ has seen internal messages sent to housing agency staff, urging them to stay positive and avoid thinking like a victim during the ongoing restructuring. Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary of the PSA, spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.

This weekend marks the official completion of a year-long renovation of an ex-Kainga Ora house by a group of students at One Tree Hill College. 

Questions to Ministers TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? ANDY FOSTER to the Minister for Resources: What recent announcements has he made regarding the minerals sector? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in all of his Ministers? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she agree with the director of the Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, who said of their State of the Nation 2025 report, "We can't wish away the increasing levels of poverty and deprivation that this report is highlighting, but we can prioritise addressing the basic needs of people so that our whanau go beyond barely surviving to seeing them thrive"; if so, how does the level of children currently living in benefit-dependent households compare to 2023? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister of Transport: What announcements has he made regarding better transport connections in Christchurch? TAMATHA PAUL to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that "We are focused on using every lever at our disposal in the housing market to improve affordability"; if so, how is opting for zero growth of the public housing stock using every lever? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? GREG FLEMING to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about driving better outcomes for Maori students? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Associate Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that "those people who have a genuine need for a short-term stay in temporary accommodation known as emergency housing have a pathway to do that"; if so, what is his reaction to the finding in the Salvation Army's State of the Nation 2025 report that "there are rising numbers of people who are homeless"? MILES ANDERSON to the Associate Minister of Housing: What recent announcements has he made about Kainga Ora? Hon PEENI HENARE to the Minister of Health: Does he have confidence in New Zealand's health system?

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 12th of February, Kainga Ora have finally decided enough is enough when it comes to unpaid rent, and are making a move to recoup the losses. How much trouble is NZ Rugby in money wise after starting legal proceedings against their main sponsor Ineos for a seeming breach of contract? Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell talk whether David Seymour should be sacked on Politics Wednesday. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Goverment has today announced a "turnaround" plan for Kainga Ora which aims to reduce the agency's debt by about $1.8b compared to the pre-election figures. Housing Minister Chris Bishop's plan is to sell off hundreds of state houses, refurbish existing properties and use more affordable materials. It also means there will be no increase to the number of state houses. While the number won't decrease either, there are concerns for what it will mean for Kainga Ora tenants and for the country's state housing stock. Victor Waters has more.

The government unveiled its extensive renovation plan for Kainga Ora. The revamp will see the government sell about 900 state houses a year. It said the money will help off set new construction and also rennovation costs for existing stock. The gut job follows an independent review commissioned by the Government and lead by Sir Bill English that found that Kainga Ora was underperforming and not financially viable without significant savings. Housing Minister Chris Bishop spoke to Lisa Owen.

A community housing provider says the government's "turnaround plan" aimed at reducing Kainga Ora's debt will increase homelessness. Wellington-based Dwell Housing Trust chief executive Elizabeth Lester spoke to Corin Dann.

On today's episode, Labour leader Chris Hipkins will be among politicians welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds today, the government's plan to stop growing its stock of state houses and slash Kainga Ora's debt has come under intense criticism from political opponents, Resource Minister Shane Jones has been attacking banks for cutting back on lending to fossil fuel businesses - calling them "woke", and The electric form of striker Wood has given New Zealand a good name at Forest. Two other All Whites - midfielder Marko Stamenic and defender Tyler Bindon - have signed for the third-placed club and will be available to play next season.

A man paralysed after a fall, who has been in emergency housing for three years, waiting for a wheel chair friendly state house, is still waiting for a property to be modified. The New Plymouth man, Shane Emeny became a paraplegic 3 and a half years ago after falling from a 5 metre concrete ledge and severing his spinal cord. He's been staying in a modified emergency housing motel room since, but it's difficult to have his 10 year old son to stay in the cramped studio space and fit the gear he also needs - like his standing frame. Shane said there's virtually no suitable accomodation for people with disabilities, with landlords unwilling to make modifications. He's accepted a home offered by Kainga Ora eight months ago but is still waiting for modificaitons to be made through ACC. Shane Emeny spoke to Lisa Owen.