Northland's political aspirants are being invited to a Northland Housing Forum hui to hear first-hand about the obstacles people face trying to build their own houses, especially on Maori land.
The hui will also explore the opportunities and positive outcomes for building warm and secure homes.
"We are inviting both Northland's political candidates and Tai Tokerau hapu and iwi leadership to listen to those stories, before responding and saying how they will work to meet those housing needs of the people in Te Tai Tokerau," Northland Housing Forum [NHF) convenor Tim Howard said.
"The forum has hosted hui like this since we began in 2005. The hui, with whanau, Maori and community groups, and supporters, are the basis for the forum's work of advocating for housing needs to be met, and supporting the work of groups providing housing."
Mr Howard said the forum's working party took the position it was important housing planning by decision-makers be on the basis of "flaxroots experience, and not just imposed".
"This hui will inform all present about the real housing needs of whanau and communities in Te Tai Tokerau. It will also provide a base for our own activities as a regional housing forum over the next years," he said.
The meeting is open to all. It will be at Te Punawai Centre in Moerewa on Wednesday, September 12, starting at 9.30am and finishing with lunch at 1pm.