More Than a Home: Tackling the Urgent Youth Homelessness Crisis in Tāmaki Makaurau

On 28 March 2025, over 80 organisations, community leaders, and taitamariki gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau to face the reality of youth homelessness head-on.

Commissioned by Mā Te Huruhuru and developed by the Manaaki Rangatahi Collective with Making Everything Achievable, this report is a powerful call to action grounded in the voices, dreams, and lived experiences of taitamariki.

More Than a Home is a powerful call to action, created by the Tāmaki community and grounded in the voices, aspirations, and lived experiences of taitamariki. Taitamariki deserve not just shelter, but dignity and belonging.

In the report it is made clear that In Tāmaki Makaurau, the urgency of taitamariki homelessness is no longer just a crisis, it is a generational failure. The collective asks Ministers for:

1. A National Strategy to End Youth Homelessness

• A government commitment to recognise, prevent and end youth homelessness and homelesness.

• A dedicated Strategy with clear targets, timelines, and accountability.

• Age-appropriate and culturally responsive housing options in every region, including youth-specifc Kainga Ora homes and papakāinga developments.

2. Immediate Policy Changes to Remove Barriers

• Lower the age to sign tenancy agreements so 16-17 year olds can access stable public housing.

• Change tenancy succession rules so taitamariki don’t lose their home when a whānau member passes away.

• Remove unrealistic criteria that exclude youth (e.g., past evictions, lack of ID, criminal history).

3. Increased Investment in Youth Housing & Wraparound Support

• More funding for youth housing providers to create safe, stable homes across Aotearoa.

• Fund holistic wraparound support (mental health, life skills, employment, education).

Find out more about the report here