Māori perceptions of ‘home’: Māori housing needs, wellbeing and policy

This paper presents the findings of the Perceptions of Papakāinga project, a 12-month, Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga funded project which explores comparative views of ‘home’ for Māori. The findings highlight the emerging themes around the meaning of ‘home’ for three different generations of Māori living in different geographical locations and how these meanings shape or influence the perception of how to ‘be well at home’. By investigating the views and attitudes of Māori community members in two distinct communities regarding what ‘home’ means to them, the research has been able to identify that ‘home’ is more than a spatial or physical notion, and that there are a range of holistically connected aspects that need to be considered if we are to deliver effective and sustainable solutions around Māori being ‘at home’. As Māori meanings of ‘home’ are adapting, developing and changing, especially in the current Coronavirus Covid-19 context, the findings from this research contribute to the significant thinking that needs to influence future policy direction and also highlights areas that require further investigation.